Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-08-13

AZ
~ Inn in high excitement. Jerk
Ing his thumb toward door
4 4 leading off the committee
room, IAN I've sent for wainwright
an Horrigan to meet your honor here
An I've nxed It so the Borough bill
won't come up for ten minutes Now,
all that's left is to touch the punk to
bunch Of fireworks under 'em. Gee,
but it's good to "a stuck to this old
world Just for the sake Of bein' here
today an SEEM what I'm due to see"
The alderman chuckled. but his Joy
Gus anticipation found no reflection In
BENEFITS white set face. The two were
In the committee room, whittier Phe-
Ian had repaired after depositing Dali
las in chair beside her brother at the
meeting md attending TO one or two
details Of greater import
YES" went on Fhelan. again nod
ding mysteriously toward the farther
door. "hc's in there, trained to the
minute for the blowout. There's some
one else wants to see you. too-some
one who'll make more of hit with
you II I'm not overplayin' my hand.
But good news cnn wait There's so
little Of It In this measly life that 1t
centrally has to. T.
From the corridor Horrignn stamped
into the committee room, Wainwright
Mt his heels.
Well" cried the boss deflnntly. glar-
ing at Bennett and ignoring Phclan.
you sent for us. What do you want?"
"One moment" interviewed VAIN
wright. I'VE are beaten. We admit
that without argument. SO we need
waste 10 time going over details"
Have you sent for us to say whit
you'll sell out for?" quercd norrigan
coarsely. because II you have you've
only to name your price. You've got
us where you want us We've got to
pay"
Il should have thought" replied Ren.
nett, with no shade OF offcnse, you
would know by this time that have
no price
"Then what do you want?"
"Nothing-from you"
why did you send word yon wanted
to see us1" growlcd Horrigan impa
ticntly as he and Wainwright, unin.
vited, seated themselves at the table.
ITO tell YOU" answered Alwyn
glancing from one to the other, that
every step you two have taken in this
whole Infamous transaction from the
very first has been carefully followed,
and, to use your own phrase, we've got
you with the goodsv'
Same old hluffl' commented HORT.
gan contcmptuously. with'a reassurlng
wink at the somcwhlt less confident
Wainwright.
by tomorrow noon" resumed Ben
nett, "you will both be indicted on a
charge OF bribery. Even now there are
detectives on the watch for you. Es-
cape is impossible"
Rot" sneered Horrigan. you've
no evidence that will indict. and you
know 1t. Even II you had. don't con.
troll most Of the Judges and the district
attorneys Office besides Swell chance
you'll have Of getting conviction past
that bunch. Bah. You talk like man
made OF mud. l s'pose it's the affair
Of those Roberts notes you're counting
on. That don't 'eazo me any. My
lawyer can twist that around SO it'll
look Ike charity gift. No. no,
youngster. You'll have to think of
something better IT,
And, anyhow" put in Wainwright
nervously, you can't prove any con-
hection on my part. There's nothing
against me Or
II think there Is" retorted Bennett,
wheeling about on the tinancicr. And
even II can't nail the Roberts brib-
cry to you I've plenty moro couats to
hold you on"
IAN these generalities and vague &C
cusations prove nothing, Bennett" an
swered Wainwright, drawing coura &c
from Horrignn's colossal calm and
speaking with more assurance. INF
Horrigan and are not schoolboys t.
be scared by baseless threats. This II
oil guesswork on your part Come
now, name one specific charge you car
prove"
"One will be enough to convinc'
you? asked Alwyn. "Well. then, how
about this as first guess? Mr.. Hor
rigan's bride OF s2,OoO,o00 in money
and $4,000 shares OF Borough stock TO
agreeing to put through the Borough
fra nchise7 Tor 'guesswork' that doesn'
seem to me very bad"
Wainwright's hard mask Of a fac'
twitched convulsively, but the stead!
brain that had carried him unshakcl
through q thousand risky fnancla
deals came at once to his rescue.
IAN excellent guess" he agreed II
splendidly feigned amusement, "bu
unfortunately the courts demand proc
before convicting man, and there 1
no proof whatever off,
"Aro you sure7' queried Bennett
Turning to Phelan, he added:
please ask Mr.. Thompson to com
In"
The alderman, with an expansiv
grin. funR omen the door Of the farthc
: room.
At sound Of his secretary's nam
wainwright had sprung to his feet ant
dumfounded, was leaning heavily o
the table, staring across the thrcshol
Of the suddenly opened door.
There, framed In the dark doorwn!
bis face deathly pale, his eyes CLOWN
with a strange light as of murde