Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1907-07-12

ne ana the Colonel was not the Presi-
dent.
I've come about that money question"
l said.
We'll, have you come to your senses?"
he asked, with his habitual rudeness.
L can't give you the money" 1 went
on.
You sit there and tell me that9 Do
you know that If the soldiers don't have
money In few hours. they'll upset me?
They're ready 10 do 1t any minute. I
don't know now when l give an order
whether l shall be obeyed or get a bullet
through my head"
Pray be calm" said L. "You didn't
let me finish |"
Let you finish !" he cried. "You seem
to think jabber does everything. The end
OF 1t all Is, that either you give me the
money, or take it-and II you interfere,
look out |"
That Is just what I was going to pro-
pose, IL you hadn't interrupted me. said
quietly, but with Inward sxultation, for I
saw he was just In the state of mind to
walk eagerly into the trap 1 was prepar-
ing for him.
What do you mean2" he asked.
explained to him that 1t was impossi-
Die Tor me to give up the money. My
reputation was at stake 1t was my duty
to die In defense Of that money! duty
which, l FASTENED to add, I entertained
no intention Of performing.
But" l went on, although am
bound not to surrender the money, am
not bound to anticipate forcible seizure
OF it. In times of disturbance parties of
ruftians often turn to plumber. Not even
the most rigorous precautions can guard
against It Now it would be very posi-
BILE that even tonight a band Of such
marauders might make I'm attack on the
bank, and carry off all the money In the
safe"
"Ohr" said the Colonel, that's the
game, is it?-
That" 1 replied, "ls the game; and a
very neat game, too, IL you play It prop
erly."
"And what will they say In Europe,
when they hear the Provisional govern
ment is looting private propertyT'
My dear Colonel you forcs nae to
much explanation. You will, Of course
not appear In the matter"
| II should like to be there" he remark
ed. IF l weren't, the men mightn't
catch the exact drift of the thing"
You will be there, Of course, but In
cognite. Look hero, Colonel, it's as plain
as two peas. Give out that you're going
to reconnoiter the coast and keep en- eye
on The Songstress. Draw off your com
panies from the Piazza on that pretense
Then take fifteen or twenty men you car
trust--not more, for it's no use asking
more than you can help, and resistance II
out of the question. About two, when ev
erything is quiet, surround the bank
Jones will open when you knock. Dom
hurt him, but take him outside and keel
him quiet. Go In and take the money
Here's the key to the safe. Then, If yol
like, set fire TO the place"
Bravo, nay boy |" said the Colonel
'Srherss stuff in you after all And wha
are you going to get out Of It? l sup
pose that's coming nextT
Az the reader knows, I wasn't goinl
to get anything out of it, except mysel
and the Signorina. But 1t wouldn't d.
to tell tho Colonel that; he would not be
lievs In disinterestsd conduct. So I bar
gained with him for thirty thousand dol
lars, which hs promised 30 readily that
strongly doubteS whether he ever mean
to pay 1t.
do you think there's any danger o
Whfttingham making an attack Will
we're engaged on the job?"
The Colonel was, In common parlanct
getting rather warmer than liked. I
was necessary to mislead him.
IT don't think So" replied. III
can't possibly have organized much of
party here yet. There's some discor
tent, no doubt. but not enough for hiI
to rely on"
'There's plenty of discomfort" said tn
Colonel.
'SThere won't be In couple Of hours.
"Wby notr'
"Why, because you're going down
: the barracks to announce a fresh install
ment Of pay to the troops to-morro'
morning. handsome installment."
yes" said he thoughtfully, that ougt
to keep them quiet for one night. Fac
Is. they don't care twopence either for N
or Whittingham; and If they think they
get more out of ne they'll stick to me-"
"Of course" assented. Indeed, 1t ws
J true enough as long as the President wa
not on the spot; but thought privatel
that the Colonel did not allow enough fC
, his rivals personal influence and pre-
, tige. II he once got face TO face with IL
Y troops.
1 "Yes," the Colonel went on, "Ill 4
T. that. and what's more, I'll put the poop
!. in good humor by sending down ordel
9 for a free social in the Piazza tonight
.Delightfully old-fashioned and bar
I r,al.p I remarked. II think It's a goC
e idea. Have a bonfire and make It cor
nIete. don't suppose Whittingha
v dreams of any attempt, but It will NAL
= tbe riot even more plausible"
n AT any rate, they'll all DO too tol
n ~ r.nk. trnuhle" said he.