La Junta tribune., 1908-08-01
CHAPTER XVII.

An Eve fixed II so the Borough bill
won't come up for ten minutes. Now.
all that's left Is 10 touch the pink to
the fuse an set on the whole giddy
bunch OF fireworks under 'ein 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 chuckird. but his joy
Gus anticipation found no reflection In
Bennett's white set face. The two we're
In the committee room. whittier Phc-
Ian had repaired after depositing Dal-
las In II chair beside her brother at the
meeting and attending to one or two
details OF greater import
Yes went on rhclau. again nod
ding mysteriously toward tue farther
door. hes in there. trained 10 the
minute for the blowout. There's some
one else wants 10 see yon. too-some
one who'll make more of a hit with
You II I'm not overpiayin' my hand.
But good news eau wait There's SO
little OF 1t in this mcasly life that II
centrally has TO. r.
From the corridor Horri:an stamped
into she committee room. Wainwright
at his heels.
"Weli.' cried the boss dciiuntly. glar
ing at Bennett and ignoring Phelan.
''You sent for us. What do you want?"
One momcntw interviewed VAIN
wright. I'VE are beaten. We admit
that without argument. SO we need
waste no time going over details
Have you sent for us 10 say what
you'll sell out for:" queried Horrisan
coarsely. because If you have you've
only to name your price. You've got
lis where you want us. We've got to
pay"
Il should have thought replied Ben
nett. with no shade of offcnse. you
would know by this time that have
no price.
Then what do you WANT
"Nothfng-from YOU
why did you send word you wanted
TO see us!'' growled Horrigan impa-
tientiy as he aud Wainwright. nnin-
yited. seated themselves nj the table.
ITO tell you answered Alwyn.
glancing from one to the other, that
every step you two have taken Ia this
whole Infamous transaction from the
very first has been carefully followed.
auus " ubc Out ONu Phs w We 6Ot
you with the goods
Same old bum commented Horri-
gan contemptuously. with a reassuring
wink at the somewhat less confident
Wainwright
by tomorrow noon" resumed Ben-
nett "yOu will both he Indicted ON
charge OF bribery. Even now there arr.
detectives on the watch for you. Es-
cape Is Impossible"
Rot sueered Horrigan. You've
no evidence that will Indict. and you
know IT, Even n you had. don't con
troll most OF the judges and the district
attorney's Office besides? Swell chance
you'll have OF getting conviction nast
sssa %sde 81 %uo 'h Ss fak II. The Tie nna
OF those Roberts notes you're counting
on. That don't feaze me any. My
lawyer can twist that around so It'll
look like q charity gift No. no.
youngster You'll have to think of
something better if'-
And, anyhow" put In Wainwright
nervousiy. you can't prove any con-
nection ON my part There's nothing
against me or
II think there is," retorted Bennett.
wheeling about on the fnancler. And
J even II l can't nail the Roberts brib-
cry to you I've plenty more counts to
hold you on"
"All these generaiities and vague ac-
cusations prove nothing. Bennett" an
swered Wainwright, drawing courage
from Horrigan's colossal calm and
speaking with more assurance. MT
Horrfgan and ! are not schooiboys TO
be scared by baseless threats. This b
all guesswork on your part Come.
now. name one specific charge you can
prove"
"One will he enough to convince
your" asked Alwyn. well. then. how
about this n q first guess? Mr. HOr-
rigan's bribe OF $2.WO.OO0 In money
and 5000 shares Of Borough stock for
agreeing to put through the Borough
franchise? For .guesswork' that doesn't
seem to me very bad"
Wainwrighfs hard mask Of face
twitched convulsively, but the steady
brain that had carried him unshaken
through . thousand risky financial
deals came at once to his rescue.
IAN excellent giiess." he agreed In
spieudidly feigned amusement but
unfortunately the courts demand PROOF
before convicting = man. and there Ii
no proof whatever off,
Are you sure?" queried Bennett
Turning to Phelan, be added:
please ask Mr. Thompson to come
In"
The alderman, with an expansive
grin. nung open the door Of the farther
room.
At sound OF his secretary's name
Wainwright had sprung to his feet ana.
dumfounded, was leaning heavily on
! the table, staring across the threshold