The Washington herald., 1908-04-03

am satlsned with the bona fides Of the
business"
'Bluff on his part. most likely. He's
past master OF the art"
Then you know him?'
Sufficiently well to have nothing to
do with him"
Then that accounts for his refusal
TO allow me to consult yoI," said Bar
clay. Il see the reason now"
"Of course. act just as you think ft.
Only recollect that what I've told you is
bedrock fact The man who calls him
self Adam is a person TO be avoided.
Have you had dealings with him?"
"Once-and they had a very unpleasant
result"
Max reflected upon certain remarks and
criticisms which the Frenchman had ut
tered concerning Statham and his finan-
cial methods. In the light Of What he
now knew. he saw that the two men
were enemies. IT seemed as though the
old man wished 10 tell him something.
and yet was hesitating.
Have you put any money into the
scheme7" the millionaire asked.
Not yet
Then don't. Tell him 10 take It some
where else. Better still. tell him 10 bring
It TO me. You need not. however. say
that Il is I who warned you. Leave him
in the dark in that direction. He's a
clever lOw-extraOrdinarily clever. Who
is with him now?''
"Well, he has friend named Lyle-a
mining engineer"
Leonard Lyle-a hunchback?" asked
Statham quickly.
Yes"
The millionaire's countenance went a
trifle paler. and about the corners OF his
thin lips was a hard expression. To him.
the seriousness OF the conspiracy was
only too apparent
Those two men intended that he
should be driven 10 take his own life-to
die an igncminious death.
You've spoken to this man Lyle?'' he
asked in as steady a voice as he could
once or twice. He seems to possess
very intimate knowledge os Servia, Bull
garia. and European Turkey. Is he an
adventurer like Adam?"
Not exactly" was the rather am
bguous reply. But his association with
Adam shows plainly that fraud is in
tended"
But why does he want me to go post
haste out to Turkey" Queried Max. who
had risen from his chair in the excitement
Of this sudden revelation which caused
his brilliant scheme 10 vanish into thin
air
ITO induce confidence. I expect. He
would have introduced YOU TO some men
wearing fezes, and declared them TO be
pashas high In favor at the Yildiz Kiosk.
Then before you left Constantinople he
would have held you to your bargain to
put money into the thing. OH never
fear, you would have fallen a victim In
one way or another. So it's best that you
should know the character OF the two
men with whom you are dealing. Take
my advice; treat them with caution, but
refuse 10 stir from London. They will, no
doubt, use every persuasion TO induce
yeu 10 go, but your best course IS TO hear
all their arguments, watch the gradual
development OF their scheme. and inform
me OF It. VIII you do TT"
'Will my information assist you In any
way, Mr. Statham2"
Yes. il will-very materially" the old
man answered. I have revealed to you
the truth. and ask you. in return. to
render me this little assistance. What
desire to know. is their movements
daily, and how they intend 70 act"
Toward whom?"
Toward myself"
Then they are associated against you,
you believer
Il suspect them 70 be-" the old man
replied. Il know them to be my enemies.
They are, like thousands OF other men.
jealous Of my success, and believe they
have a grievance against me-one that Is
entirely unfounded"
And If I do this will you assist me to
obtain knowledge of the reason why
Marion ROlfe has been dismissed?" asked
Max eagerly.
The old man hesItated. but only for a
second. It was easy enough to give him
letter 10 Cunnington. and afterward TO
telephone to oxford street instructions to
the head Of the firm TO refuse a reply.
So, consenting, he took a sheet OF note
paper and scribbled a few lines Of request
TO Mr.. Cunnington, which he handed 10
Max. saying:
There. 1 hope that will have the de-
sired effect Mr.. Barclay On your part.
remember, you will keep in with Adam
and Lyle, and give mo all the information
you can gather. ] know how TO repay a
friendly service rendered TO me, as you
are. no doubt we'll aware. You will be
welcome here at any hour I shall tell
Levi to admit YOU
That's a bargain" the younger man
asserted When Will Rolfe return"
Tomorrow. or next day. He's in
Paris. Shall / tell him you wish to see
him."
Please"
But say nothing regarding Adam or
his friend. Our compact Is a strictly
private one, remember"
And then Max. grasping the hands OF
the man whom he believed was his friend
placed the note in his pocket and wenr
out into the blazing hot September after
noon.
As he disappeared along the pavement
the old millionaire watched him unseen
from behind the blind
TO the friendship Of that man-that
man whom l have wronged-I shall owe
my life, he murmured aloud
And then, crossing to the telephone on
his table, he asked for Mr.. Cunnington.
TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW.