Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-03-11

SeSLz question
where were you
~ = AZ, ~ ~ "''''' going when
met your
what do you want to know forT'
asked Mortimer sullenly.
Why. I'll tell you, Leroy. If you
have any idea of Identifying yourself
with Quarters people, of seeking him
at this juncture with the expectation
of investing any money in his schemes,
you had better not do So"
Tnvestingr' sneered Mortimer. well
no. not exactly, having nothing to in
vest, thanks to my being swindled In
to Joining his Amalgamated Electric
gang. Don't worry. If there's any
shaking down to be done I'll do 1t, my
friend" And he rose and started to-
ward the elevators.
Walt" said Plank. "Why, man,
you can't brighten Quarter. What did
you sell your holdings for? Why didn't
you come to us-to me? What's the
use of going to Quarter now and
scolding? You can't scare a man like
that"
Mortimer fairly grinned in his face.
Your big mistake" he sneered, lis
In undertaking. others l want you to
understand few things. my friend,
and one of them is that Pm not afraid
Of Quarter, and another is I'm not
afraid of you'll"
Leroy
mo, not afraid of you eitherp' re-
peated Mortimer. with an ugly stare
you keep civil tongue in your head
after this-do you understand?-and
Wen get on all right. If you don't.
I've the means to make your
Are you crazy?"
Not Il bit of it! Too sane for You
and Leila to hoodwink!'
You are crazyw repeated Plank,
aghast
"Am 1? You and Leila can take the
matter into court If you want to--un-
less do. And"-here he leaned for
ward, showing his teeth again-"the
next time you kiss her close the door!"
Then he went away up the marble
steps and entered an elevator, and
Plank, grave and pale, went out into
the street and entered his big touring
car. But the drive up town and
through the sunllt park gave him no
pleasure, and he entered bis great
house with a heavy, lifeless step, head
bent, as though counting every crevice
in the stones under his tagging feet.
For the first time in all his life he was
afraid of man.
The man be was afraid OF had gone
directly to Quarters office, missing
the gentleman he was seeking by such
a small fraction of minute that he
realized they must have passed each
other In the elevators. he ascending
while Quarter was descending.
Furious to think of the time he had
wasted with Plank, he crawled into
hanson and babe the driver take him
to a number he gave. designating one
on the upper west side.
All the way up town as he jolted
about in his seat he angrily regretted
the meeting with Plank even in spite
of the check. What demon had pos
sessed him to boast-to display his
hand when there had been no neces-
sity? Plank was still ready to give
him aid at a crisis, had always been
ready. Time enough when Plank turn
ed stingy to use persuasion.
He lay back, rolling about in the
jouncing cab, scowling at space.
"I'll shake down Quarter" he said
to himself "I'll make him pay for his
reachery-scaring me out of Amalga-
mated! That win be restitution. not
extortionr'
He was angry because he had been
for days screwing up his courage to
the point of seeking Quarter face to
face He had not wished TO do It, The
scene and his own attitude in it could
only be repugnant to him, although he
continually explained to himself that
1t was restitution. not extortion.
oh" he groaned, what an ass
am!' And be got out of his cab in
ment house with red geranlums bloom
ing on the window sills ard let him
self in with a latchkey.
The interior of the house was attrac
tive in rather bright. new. clean
fashion. The maid. too. who appeared
at the sound of the closing door ana
took his hat and gloves was as newly
groomed as the floors and woodwork
and so noiseless as to be conspicuous
In her swift, silent movements,
Anybody hereT he growled, leer-
ing into the drawing room at a tiny
grand piano cased In unvarnished Cir
cassian walnut
There is nobody at home, sir" said
the maid.
He began to ascend the stairway