Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-07-10

tAiVuSn my neaO.
"Pray be calm" said I. "You didn't
let me finish r.
Let you finish |" he cried. "You seem
to think jaOber does everything. The end
Of 1t all is, that either you give me the
money, or take it-and If you interfere,
look out r.
THAT Is Just what was going to pro-
pose, II you hadn't interrupted me-" said
quietly, bu: with inward exultation, for I
saw he was just In the state Of mind to
walk eagerly into the trap was prepar-
ing for him.
What do you mean?" he asked.
explained to him that 1t was impossi-
Bile for me to give up the money. Ny
reputation was at stake; 1t was my duty
to die in defense of that money! duty
which, fastened to add, I entertained
no intention of performing.
But" / 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
ruffians often turn to plumber. Not even
the most rigorous precautions can guard
against 1t. Now 1t would be very posi-
BILE that even tonight band of such
marauders might make an attack on the
bank, and carry off all the money In the
SAFE"
oh" said the Colonel. ''that's the
game, is it,"
THAT" replied, "is the game and a
very neat game, too, If 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 mo to
much explanation. You will, Of course,
not appear in the matter"
II should like to be there" he remark
ed. IF I weren't, the men mightn't
catch the exact drift of the thing"
you will be there, of course, but in.
cognito. Look here, Colonel, it's as plain
as two peas. Give out that you're going
to reconnoiter the coast and keep an eye
on The Songstress. Draw of your COM
panies 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 will 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, IL 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 next"
Az the reader knows, I wasn't soing
to get anything out Of It, except myself
and the Signorina. But 1t 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 70 readily that I
strongly doubted whether he ever meant
to pay 1t.
do you think there's any danger Of
Whittinsham making an attack while
we're engaged on the job?"
The Colonel was, In common parlance.
getting rather warmer than I liked. It
was necessary to mislead him.
II don't think 60" replied. "He
can't possibly have organised much Of q
party here yet. There's some discon-
tent. NO doubt, but not enough for him
to rely on"
There's plenty Of discomfort" said the
Colonel.
"Thsrs won't b in . couple Of hours"
"Why mott"
"Why, because you're going down to
the barracks to announce fresh INSTALL
ment Of pay to the troops tomorrow
morning. handsome instsllment."
"Yes," said he thoushtfully, that ought
to keep them quiet for one night. Fact
il, they don't care twopence either for me
or Whittingham; and il they think they'll
get more out of me they'll stick to me-"
"Of course" assented. Indeed, it was
true enough as long as the President was
not on the spot; but thought privately,
that the Colonel did not allow enough for
his rivals personal influence and pres
tige. IL he once got face to face with the
troops.
"Yes," the Colonel went on, "I'n do
that, and what's more, I'll put the people
in good humor by sending down orders
for free social in the Piazza tonight"
DELIGHTFULLY."- old-fashioned and baro-
NAL" / remarked. II think it's a good
idea. Have q bonfire and make It COM
plete. I don't suppose Whittingham
dreams of any attempt, but 1t will make
the riot even more plausible"
AT any rate, they'll all be too jolly
to make trouble" said he.
"Well, that's about all, isn't tit" said
I. II shall be of. I've got to write to
my directors and ask instructions for the
investment of the money"
you'll live to be hanged. Martin"
said the Colonel with evident admiration.
mot by you, eh, Colonel? Whatever
might have happened IL I'd been obsti-
nate! Hope shall survive to dance at
your wedding anyhow. Less than q week
now!"
YES" said he, next Saturdays the
day."
He really looked quite the happy BRIDE
groom as he said this, and LETT him to
contemplate his bliss.
Il would bet ten to one that day never
comes" thought, as I walked away.
Even II don't will I'll back the Presi-
| dent to be back before that"
The Colonel's greed had triumphed over
his wits, and he had fallen into my snare
with greater readiness than I could have
hoped. The question remained, What
would the President do when he got the
Signorina's letter. It may eonduce to
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