The Jasper news., 1908-12-03

last night, USiohS w Viz SiooS VI Notboi
thieves?" / queried.
Undoubtedly. ] don't use the word,
as a rule 1t offcnds more than one sem
sitive acquaintance of mine. But those
fellows are, by no stretch of courtesy, any
thing but vulgar thieves. / must apol-
ogize for having forced such low COM
pany upon YOU"
Don't mention it," said, sarcastically.
"You will see no more of them,' he
said. II have need of them and manyN
others. / am, if my modesty will per-
init me to say it, something of magDate
in my line. l have need of your services,
as we'll as of the services. of those very
different persons. YOU will perceive the
high compliment pay you in the estima-
tion place upon your moral qualities. If
should waHt--just supposing, of course
citizen Knocked down, a safe broken or
house burned, would have only to say
the word and those fellows would under
take it for a compensation which you
would be bound to confess very reasona-
ble They will even, at my instigation,
kidnap and bring to me an honest and
virtuous young man whom | desire to see.
In your case / have to take all precau-
tons to prevent your excessive virtue
from getting the best of your proper
sense of sef-interest"
What do you want of me?' asked,
bluntly
There is safe in yotr Office of which
you have the combination" he said. Now,
now," he added, waving his hand in De-
precatipg manner, "don't attempt any lies.
know and denial will do no good.
want the combination of that safe"
THAT safe" / said, contains not one
cent of money at any time"
81 know that" he answered. "And IL
Al. "A r. f.aI
can make an inventory every day, SO long
as you remain in the Office. and nothing
will be missing. Nevertheless, l desire
and intend to have the combination to
that safe"
"You will not get it from me-"
'You say. that ! will not ! say that.
will Give me the combination tonight
and you can be at your desk in the morn
ing "a thousand dollars richer than you
are now. Keep silent three months and
another thousand dollars will be yours"
"And if ! refuse?"
"Then your employers probably will be
making inquiries as to what has become of
YOU"
what you ask" said, excitedly, "is
,dishonorable, and / will never do it."
"Take your time" said he. There is
Europe, and the combination will not be
changed nor the safe opened until he re-
turns. Meantime, until you have acceded
to my request, you will remain my guest"
"My determination is made" said.
II will unmake it when the time comes"
he answered, in smooth, even tones. "Now,
before bidding you goodnight, will tell
you few things. IT you attempt to climb
out of the window you will get bullet
through your leg and be carried back to
this room for treatment If you attempt
to set your room on fire you will be de-
tected instantly and some of those vulgar
thieves we were talking about will give
lyou their undivided attention while others
are extinguishing the fire. We are not
amateurs and not easily frustrated. Now,
good-nightP II
His towering bulk stood before the door
for an instant, his dark face wreathed
with wicked, cynical smile. Then was
again alone.
sat down and thought of the difficult
and dangerous position in which / was
placed. The safe, to which access was
demanded by the criminal chief was one
containing papers only, and those chiefly
of confidential nature, relating to the
character and whereabouts of clients and
Ipersons with whom they were involved in
business matters. Many papers were
sealed and had remained thus for many
lyears. Some of these the criminals, for
reasons known to themselves, desired to
Inspect. Their purpose was evil. Some
body must suffer If they succeeded. de-
ltermined to be strong as ! could and at
least never willingly agree to the dishonor
of breaking my trust, nor accept the
Judas price. But my blood ran cold at
the thought of the possibility of torture,