The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1907-01-17
mad and he jerked his body forward

maHtGlp1ece
Il think you'd better just rest
Madam" he said feehly, eying the door
sideways as he spoke.
There isn't much time for rest"
said the girl.
Fear came to him, from the yellow,
heavy eyelids drops Of perspirahon
started, almost like tears. The fore
head contracted, the usurer looked
years older.
The girl played with the tassel en-
her red parasol. Its like this, Mr.
Samuels." she began, kindly, DO you
know what a tire fuse is?''
IN the Ci1y"-he began, and then
collapsed.
- don't mean in the city" said the
girl. Il mean among the anarchists
The word shook him. The girl knew
that he would not try to escape. She
held hin easily in his chair with her
eyes.
You see, Mr. Samuels,' she contin-
ued, airiy there's been quite lot OF
bomb throwing lately, in Paris, IN
Vicnna-they watch them there. It's
much easier in London, Mr.. Samules."
AS she spoke she rose from her chair
and glanced out of the French window.
It's in the garden, Mr.. Samuels, and
it's ten-minute fuse!"
My God" groaned Mr.. Samules, as
he staggered to his feet.
Its no use calling the police" said
the girl; that won't help you. I'm not
an anarchist, you know; I'm just girl
who wants a. hundred pounds and ten
shillings, and 1 dc want it very badly,
Mr.. Samuels.''
do you mean that there is a, bomb
in my garden? Do you mean, while
you sit twirling your aimsy fal-lals,
that me and mine may be blown to
eternity? The terrible fear in his yel-
low face made him for the moment
something other than comic to his
visitor.
For the instant she relasped into
seriousness.
you see, Mr.. Samuels, it's as quiet
as the country here. London's like
village out of the Season. was just
walking behind him; he was horrid
and shaggy. think he was little
mad, Mr.. Samuels. He threw the thing
in just like this she added, waving
her arms, "and then he said, d,out loud,
'Usurer, ten minutes for your prayers
I didn't think he was a nice man,
Mr.. Samuels. There was no policeman
about, and so came in to tel! you
myself. But l do so want that hum
dred pounds-and ten shillings for the
ilandsom. No, it's 10 good making
noise, and shouting for the servants
or the police-they can't help you;
there's nobody in London WHO can help
YOU, Mr.. Samuels, but I. You see,
while they're arresting me, you will be
blown into heaven
'"I'll do it," said the money lender,
and the girl could not face the animal
terror of his eyes.
Here, take it." In moment he had
thrust ten ten-pound notes into her
hand.
"Wait a moment" said the girl;
eve have three more minutes. l
can't be found with the bomb Mr..
Samuels, or they'll arrest me as an
anarchist. Can you catch, Mr.. Sam
uels?"
"You don't mean that you are go
ing to throw that accursed thing at
me-"
"The accursed thing is as harmless
as chocolate tox until the time
limit" said the girl. ''It's like this
she continued, taking a little parcei
from the pocket Of her skirt. You
see this little bonbon box, Mr.. Sam
uels; imagine the fuse, the ten minute
fuse, Mr.. Samules, placed here at the
side. For ten minutes that little bomb
is as harmless as an inkstand. Throw
the fuse into water one second before
the time limit, and you are safe.
There's a carafe at your elbow; look,
you have just clear minute; put those
notes into this little Easter egg-you
see 1 mean fair play-throw it to me
cut the window, and you will receive,
in perfect safety, the most deadly in
vestment of modern life. All. forgot
the half-sovereign, Mr. Samuels."
The money lender had already ad-
justed the notes, and began to tumble
savagely, in his pocket for this pur-
chase of life.
The girl walked sirliy out of the
French window.
Nov, then, Mr.. Samuels, I'm
ready!" she cried, extending her
daintily gloved hands.
Something between prayer and a
curse died hard between Mr.. Samueis
throat and lips. He threw the little
bundle out of the window, and the
girl caught it easily. She stepped
lightly toward the rhododendron bush
and stopped down.
"Catch. Mr.. SamuelS!"