Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-02-09

collar and grazed. the nap of SILK era
vat. He held the chiefs card in one
fat little hand while the stubby. blunt
fingers of the other grasped pen with
the intensity with which one usually
clutches weapon at the opening OF
battle.
This was John Buckingham. retired
ness man, stock market manipulation
and guardian of Miss Helen Thomson.
He never moved those lusterless eyes
from his unabashed visitor. Barnes
bore the vacant stare with equanlmlty
There was nothing in the face to fright
EN- him. The key to the mans power
was In his pudgy hands. Presently no
spoke. and while the tone was querul-
Gus the words, coming In short. jerky
sasps, We're fairly hurled at the intiud-
err.
What do you want here7"
Barnes pulled all of his mental facul-
ties together before replying He did
not underestimate his task. 1t would
not DO to be beaten by this man with
the forbidding face and masterful
hands. The chief adopted his most
caressing tone. He would spar for
points first and later. If need be, reply
with body blows.
Il beg your pardon for this Intrusion.
but wanted 10 know II you would aid
me In little government investigation
The blue orbs wandered feebly In tha
direction OF the card that was still
clutehed In the strong hand. Again the
words. short, sharp and crisp:
You're IN the wrong shop; I know
nothing of customs,
But let me tell you my story"
Without waiting for his assent
Barnes went on and rehearsed the theft
or the suit case down to the minutost
detail. All the time he watched the
face OF the man before him. 1t bo-
trayed merely a languid interest until
the chief told about the reception of
the visiting card with the compliments
OF John Smith," and then. 10 his as
constituent, Mr. John Buckingham
leaned back IN his chair and gave
vent 10 series Of very loud and very
disagreenble chuekles. Barnes had been
standing all this time Now he quietly
slid into chair opposite Buckingham.
He concluded his narrative by saying:
And that black letter book is still
missing"
The unwilling host yawned openly
10 signify that the interview was be-
coming wearNins. Barnes showed no
ennui He leaned across the table, and,
lowering his voice to make 1t more I'm
presslve said:
buckingham, / want YOU 10 give me
Frank Lanes letter book"
Ihe chlef waited AnNiouslv for the
erect or his words, but the habby face
opposite him was perfect mask. Those
stupid eyes had look OF blind inno-
| cence. The curl. OF the llp was un-
changing. But the hands, f3arnes could
nave shouted for Joy. His startling re-
| quest scarcely came from his llps when
BncklnghRm's left hand twitched con-
vulsively and the card be was holding
fluttercd To the floor Al the same In
slant the stuhhY fingers on the other
] hand became nerveess and the pen
between them fell on the Hat desk.
Barnes felt instant confidence nj these
/ unnllstakable manifestations. But he
was fencing with clever man. and
single mlsplny might spoil the game,
He waited for Buclinghams RESPONSE.
rhore came that dlsagreeable chuckle
again. The reply was almost languid
In tone.
N you're quite throush with this
nonsense TIL bid YOU goodnight
mot quite. by the way. YOU wear
q very becoming red craYat.'
The upper lip curled.
There are 10 GOO men In this town
wearing red orayats."
You are stlll a stakeholder IN tho
Consolidated Cocoanut company"
mo newk IN that--to me-"
But YOU tried TO keep il secret
did II"
Eyes, aud you made the corporation
Ale the charges against young Lane. II
oost me three hours Of my time 10 fnd
this out Yesterday
Indeed"
Eyes, indeedr snapped Barnes, In
! danger Of losins his temper