Evening star., 1907-08-04


My dear Maurice, | pardon YOU. That
kind of oratorical trick has no effect upon me at
all. 1t doesn't even irritate me. Wait till YOU
| are older. You will see the error of Your ways"
Maurice shook his head. Then this in
fanny is
Call it just war, my boy" the father in
terrupted gently.
This war is bound to come to pass"
81 can only one contingency that might
prevent it
What is that"
Courander laughed. "If was to die within
| the next day OF two, you would be the head
of the house. You would probably, in your
present state, be silly enough to cancel the
arrange things Crampiron would do the trick
| for his people. Seer"
| Maurice threw his half consumed cigarette
into the lake. Father" he almost moaned,
/ cannot understand you'll
Il never imagined that you could re-
turned Courlander suavely; but one day
you will, | hope"
Whats that noise?" Maurice demanded in
an apprehensive tone.
Both men listened intently.
How nervous you are, bOy! said Cour-
lander. 1t sounds like a motor car.
A running fire of explosives was now heard,
growing louder and louder; and then, rushing
to the road the Courlanders saw the binding
cetyene eyes of a forty horse power machine
Its Beakbane," Courander called out.
"Beakbane little less fuss, if you please
A pair of goggles peered over the side Of the
car, and the great car came to a standstill.
" Is 1t Vou sir! | beg pardon. Good even
ing, Mr.. Maurice
Evening Beakbane.' Maurice's greeting
was somewhat less than ettuslve.
What have you come for" inquired Cour-
lander.
The chauffeur, who carried no passengers
glanced for an instant at Maurice, and then
said, Il wanted to see you, sir. | came as
quickly as | could so as to catch you before
you had gone to bed.
Courlander also glanced at his son. Very
well, he said calmly; bring the car along
to the house"
I'm going to bed" said Maurice abruptly.
Good night, dad. Night, Beakbane." And
with his hands more deeply in his pockets
than was absolutely necessary Maurice dis
appeared into the obscurity of the path which,
| at right angles to the road, bordered the main
arm of the lake.
I'll go up to the house with you in the
car, said Courlander to Beakbane.
Ten minutes later the pair were in Cour-
landers study, immense apartment on the
first floor, fronting south and overlooking the
lake the avenue, and the statue.
Slade Beakbane shed too ostentatious fur
coat and appeared in a costume which ClaShed
atrociouSly with the fine taste of the roOm
He was in more or less conventional morning
dress: but obviously he was an extremist in
the matter of fancy braided waistcoats and
salient neckties. Tall and thin, he had strik-
1nglV keen features. HIS eyes were very large.
He was a bachelor, aged forty. He had begun
at the beginning in the firm of Courlander,
and for the last ten years had been Carls
confidential clerk. The city understood his
salary to be two Thousand a year. Naturally
he was celebrated in the city, and the latter
attributed to him extraordinary gifts for
chicane and for the mastery of detail Except
in the presence of his master he was great
and formidable person. But with Carl he
always felt himself to be office boy of quarter
of a century earlier This annoyed him; but
he could not change it
Sit down. Beakbane,' said Carl. whats
the matter"
81 met Ef1ingham, junior partner in Hell
mores, at the club tonight.
Well"
"Helmores want to back out of the loan"
whats their share? Two, isn't it," He
meant millions.
YES, sir
"He didn't tell you they wish to back out,
No, sir; but he hinted much"
"WhO has been getting at Helmores?"
There are all sorts of rumors, YOU know,
sir"
lourlander, instead of replying, went to the
cigar cabinet to the right of the fireplace,
chose long cigar, cut it with much care, and
lighted it.
1t surely can't be Crampiron?" said he
gazing at Beakbane.
Il"
"Beakbane, what's wrong with YOU to-