The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1907-09-12

''HGUe you any business to set foot upon
my property9" he demanded.
that is to talk about it here-for your
own sake and because 1 think Miss
Tabor should be present. I called to
ask you to come to her house at 8
o'clock tonight"
"You did!' Martin Pike spoke an
grily, but not in the bull bass of yore,
and he kept his voice down, glancing
about him nervously as though he fear
ed that his wife or Mamie might hear.
my accounts with her estate are
closed" he said harshly. IF she wants
anything, let her come here.''
Joe shook his head. mo; you must
be there at o'clock
The judges choler got the better of
his uneasiness. you're a pretty one
to come ordering me around,' he broke
out. "You slanderer! Do you suppose
I Haven't heard how you're going about
traducing me, undermining my charac-
ter in this community, spreading scan
dals that am the real owner of Beav-
er Beach,
1T can easily be proved, judge" Joe
interrupted quietly, Though you're
wrong; I haven't been telling people.
I haven't needed to-even if I'd wish
ed. Once a thing like that gets out,
you can't stop it-ever. That isn't all.
TO my knowledge you own other prop
erty worse than the Beach. 1 know
that you own half of the worst dens in
the town-proftable investments too.
You bought them very gradually and
craftily, only showing the deeds to
those in chargers you did to Mike
Sheehan-and not recording them
Sheehan's betrayal Of you gave me the
key. 1 know most Of the poor crea-
lures who are your tenants, too, you
see, and that gave me an advantage
because they have some confidence in
me. My investigations have been al
most as quiet and careful as your pur-
chases.'
"You blackmailerv' The Judge bent
upon him a fierce, inquiring scrutiny,
in which, oddly enough, there was a
kind of haggard hopefulness. "And
out OF such stories," he sneered, you
are going to try to make political cap
1tal against the Tocsin, are you?"
NO." said Joe. 1T was necessary
in the interests Of my client for me to
know pretty thoroughly just what
property you own, and I think I do.
These pieces I've mentioned are about
all you have not mortgaged. You
couldn't do that without exposure, and
you've kept controlling interest in
the Tocsin clear, too-for the sake of
its influence, suppose. Now, do you
want to hear any more, or will you
agree to meet me at Miss Tabor's this
3vening?"
Whatever the look Of hopefulness
had signified, it fed from Pixies face
during this speech, but he asked with
some show Of contempt, "Do you think
it likely?' 4
Every WELL" said Joe, IF you want
me to speak here" And he came lit
tie closer to him. "You bought big
block Of Granger Gas for Roger Ia
bor," he began in low voice. Before
his death you sold everything he had
except the old house, put it all into
cash for him and bought that stock.
You signed the. check as his attorney
in fact, and it came back to you
through the Washington National,
where Norbert Flitcroft handled it. He
has good memory, and when he told
me what he knew had him to do some
tracing. Did a little myself also.
Judge Pike, must tell you that you
stand in danger of the law. You were
the custodian Of that stock for Roger
Tabor. It was transferred in blank.
though think you meant to be legal