The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-19
"You-you'

'You-you-"
"Oh, that little Carstairs business
to- one thing. Or that matter OF the
city mail-carts for another. How about
them. Joe? How'd they look in the
Kenyonville Herald hey7''
Dobbs dropped back into his cahir,
white Tipped and scared.
"Jim-Bradyi" he gasped.
The politician shifted MS cigar to
the other side OF his mouth. His
voice became quite suave olee more.
But, OF course, none o. taem things
are ever coming out" he said softly.
This is just q little talk among
friends. and we're AL ali right, 1
guess You amt got great deal to
fear from me, Joe, and you know It.
Pm willing to give any man square
deal, and I was willing to see Grafton
acre pay what he thought 1t was
worth, but so longs you tried to do
aim dirty, Joe. it's different! II I'm
going to be the boss O. this district"
be announced, with a force that struck
Grafton as odd. I'm going to be the
boss, and not the kind o. guy that
any postmaster can play with
How lOngu it take you TO get ready,
Joe?'''
Dobbs' face was drawn and white.
JIM don't darei" he whispered.
''Weli-hellr' Brady scowIed at
him angrily. Then his face cleared
suddenly Say, you've got a pass-key
10 all the letteF-boxas in town, haven't
your"
Yes"
Where is it,"
AT the Office
You he!' sale Brady, calmly.
Where is it?"
Upstairs" Dobbs bit his lips.
Go get it"'
.'Jiml"
You go get that key!" Numbered
Brady.
DObbs rose, stared and shuffied out;
the politician shook his head and
srowled something under his breath.
For many minutes they waited
Would Dcbbs comply OF would he per-
haps take another way out Of the
house? Would he
But the shuttle OF the bedroom Slip
pers was heard again and Dobbs ap-
peared upon the stairs. Silently he en-
tered the parlor and silently he held
out key to Brady. The politician re-
Earded it for a minute and hurled il
into the corner.
You blamed foOl"' he snarIed.
Whats got into you tonight? Who
dye think you're dealing with-a kid?
The key that opens them boxes is a
fiuted key, not q fat chunk O. iron
like that! Are you going To-
The postmaster's trembling hand
went to the pocket Of his bath robe
and came forth with another key. He
held it out and Brady snatched it
and gruuted approvingly.
There IL is" groaned Dobbs. And
God help met
Brady laughed easily
IT'S ali right. Joe. Nothing's GO
ing to happen. YoE 60 back to bed
and forget it'll see you about noon
with this. Come along. Grafton
The troubled man followed, with
tightening heart. They were without
the house now and hurrying back for
the building. And best OF all, the key
was in Brady's pocket; the trial OF
bis wretched white streak was nearly
over. In fifteen minutes the cause OF
that mysterious streak would be in
hts pocket What an enormous debt he
owed to Brady
He spoke but little, and the politi-
clan, too, seemed wrapped in thought.
Hurrying along through the early
morning they were at the Grafton
building almost before they realized
It. Grafton breathed a prayer OF
thanks as the door closed noiselessly
behind them. He was at the end Of a
very hard night.
wen. sir, We did It,, didn't we9''
chuckled Brady as he produced the
KEY and grinned at IT, Never saw
Joe get such a NJ o. nerves before.
Butch well. we got it. anyway.
Yes. thank heaven, we got it,
breathed Grafton.
Now 10 get into her-and lay our
DaRo