The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1907-07-12

whether I shall be obeyed or got q bullet |
through my head"
Pray be calm" said I. "You didn't |
let me finish "
Let you finish r. he cried. "You seem
to think jaDber does everything. The end |
OF 1t all Ia, that either you give me the |
money, or l take it-and II you interfere,
look out !"
That Is just what was going to pro-
pose, II you hadn't interrupted me-" said
quietly. blu: with inward exultation, for
saw he was just in the state Of mind to
walk eagerly into the trap I was prepar-
ing for him.
What do you mean" he asked.
l explained to him that 1t was impossi-
bic for 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, entertained
no intention OF performing
| But" l went on, although am
bound not to surrender the money, I 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 1t. Now it would be very posi-
BILE that even tonight band Of such
marauders might make an attack on the
bank. and carry Of all the money in the
SAFE"
"Oh" said the Colonel, ''that's the
game, IL it?"
THAT" I replied. "is the game and
very neat game, too, II you play 1t prop
erly."
And what will they say in Europe,
when they hear the Provisional govern
ment Is looting private property"
MY dear Colonel, you force me to
much explanation. You will, Of course,
not appear In the matter"
Il should like to b. there" he remark
ed. If l weren't, the men mightn't
catch tho exact drift Of the thing"
"You will Be there, of course, but in
cognito. Look here, Colonel, It's al plain
as two peas. Give out that you're going
to reconnoiter the coast and keep an eye
on The Songstress. Draw of your con,-
panes from the Piazza on that pretense
Then take fifteen or twenty men you can
trust-not more, for it's no use asking
more than you can help, and resistance Is
out Of the question. About two, when ev-
erything Is quiet, surround the bank.
Jones win open when you knock. Don't
hurt him, but take him outside and keep
him quiet. Go in and take the money.
: Here's the key to the safe. Then, II you
like, set FIRE to the place."
Bravo, my boy!" said the Colonel
There's stuff in you after all And what
are you going to get out of it? I sup
pose that's coming nextT'
As the reader knows, I wasn't going
to get anything out Of It, except myself
: and the Signorina. But It wouldn't do
to tell the Colonel that; he would not be-
lieve in disinterested conduct. So bar
/ gained with him for thirty thousand dol
. lars which he promised SO readily that
strongly doubted whether he ever meant
to pay 1t.
do you think there's any danger o.
: Whittingham making an attack whils
d we're engaged on the job?"
The Colonel was, in common parlance
r getting rather warmer than I liked. II
I was necessary to mislead him.
II don't think So" replied. "He
n can't possibly have organized much Of q
s party here yet. There's some discon
e tent, no doubt, but not enough for hin
: to rely on"
9 There's plenty Of discomfort" said the
r Colonel.
"There won't DO in couple of hours
why notT
"Why, because you're going down t
the barracks to announce a fresh install
ment of pay to the troops tomorrow
morning. handsome installment."
YES" said he thoughtfully, that ough
>. to keep them quiet for one night. Fac
;. is, they don't care twopence either for m,
y or Nottingham; and If they think they'll
get more out of me they'll stick to me-"
; "Of course" assented. Indeed, it wa
true enough as long as the President wa
not on the spot: but thought privately
that the Colonel did not allow enough TO
= his rivals personal influence and pres
tige, il he once got face to face with tn
u troops.
r "Yes," the Colonel went on, an d.
- that, and what's more, I'll put the peopl
T. in good humor by sending down order
for a free social in the Piazza tonight.
DELIGHTFULLY."- old-fashioned and baro
\, NAL" I remarked. II think it's a goo
idea. Have bonfire and make it com
plete. don't suppose Whittinghan
= dreams Of any attempt, but 1t will max
:. the riot even more plausible"
g AT any rate, they'll all be too joll
= to make trouble" said he.
~ "Well, that's about all, isn't TT" sal
I. IT shall be off. I've got to write t
:, my directors and ask instructions for tn
- investment of the money"
- you'll live to be hanged. Martin.
- - said the Colonel. with evident admiration
- mot by you, eh, Colonel? Whateve
= might have happened if I'd been ebst
=, nate! Hope l shall survive to dance a
your wedding anyhow. Less than q wee
- now!'
70 YES" said he, next Saturdays til
dayv'
~ He really looked quite the happy bride
q. groom as he said this, and left him
IN contemplate his bliss.
N II would bet ten to one that day neve
,e comes" I thought, as I walked ava!
"Even II don't will III back the Pres
h. dent to be back before that"
Il. The Colonel's greed had triumphed ovs
a his witt, and he had fallen into my sna,
A. with greater readiness than could hay
hoped. The question remained, VIII
~ would the President do when he got Il
Signorina's letter. 1t may conducs {