Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-05-07

ing his thumb toward door
 \ \ leading off the committee room. "an' I've sent for Wainwright an Horrigan to meet your honor here. An I've fixed it so the Borough bill won't come up for ten minutes. Now, all that's left is to touch the punk to the fuse an set off the whole giddy 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 seein' what Pm due to see!''
 The alderman chuckled. but his joy ous anticipation found no reflection in Bennett's white set face. The two were in the committee room, whither Phe- Ian had repaired after 'depositing Dal- las in chair beside her brother at the meeting and attending to one or two details of greater import.
 "Yes," went on Phelan, again nod ding mysteriously toward the farther door, Ines 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 if I'm not overplayin' my hand. But good news can wait. There's so little of it in this measly life that it gen'rally has to. I"-
 From the corridor Horrigan stamped into the committee room, Wainwright at his heels.
 "Weu" cried the boss defiantly, glar- ing at Bennett and ignoring Phelan. "You sent for us. What do you want?"
 ''One momentr' intervened Vain wright. "We are beaten. We admit that without argument. So we need waste no time going over details"
 Have you sent for us to say what vou'li sell out for?" queried Horrigan roarsely, because if you have you've only to name your price. You've got us where you want us. We've got to pay"
 T should have thought" replied Ben nett, with no shade of offense, you would know by this time that I have no price"
 "Then what do you want?"
 "Nothing-from you"
 "Why did you send word you wanted to see us?'' growled Horrigan impa- tiently 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 goodsw
 Same old bluff"' commented Horri- gan contemptuously, with reassuring wink at the somewhat 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"
 "Rotw sneered Horrigan. You've no evidence that will indict, and you know 1t. Even If you had. don't con trol most of the judges and the district attorneys office besides? Swell chance you'll have of getting a conviction past that bunch. Bah, You talk like a man made of mud. s'pose it's the a1ralr 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 a charity gift. No. no, youngster You'll have to think of something better if''-
 And, anyhow" put in Wainwright nervously, you can't prove any con nection on my part. There's nothing against me orr
 T think there is." retorted Bennett. wheeling about on the financier. And even if I can't nail the Roberts brib- cry to you I've plenty more counts to hold you on"
 '.All these generalities and vague ac- cusations prove nothing, Bennett" an swered Wainwright, drawing courage from Horrigan's colossal calm and Epeaking with more assurance. "Mr. HorTigan and I are not schoolboys to ee scared by baseless threats. This is Ill guesswork on your part. Come, Row. name one specific charge you csn prove"
 "One will be enough to convince gouy" asked Alwyn. Well, then. how about this as a first guess? Mir Hor- riEan's bribe of S2OOO.ODo fin money sad o5.OOO shares of Borough stock for agreeing to put through the Borough franchise? For 'guesswOrk' that doesn't seem to me very bad"
 waInwright's hard mask of a face suitched convuIsively. sIt the steady brain that had carried him unshaksn through a thousand risky financial deals cane at once to his rescue.
 "An excellent guess he agreed in spleniiily fei-aed amusement, but unfortunately the courts demand proof before cunvfcting a man. and there is no proof wt>ever Of
 -Are y0g suueg' queTisd Bennett Turning to Phelan. he added:
 Please asa Mr. Thompson to come in
 The alderman. with au expansive grin. suag open the ds1r Of the farther rogn-
 At sCaHi Cf his secretarJ's name Wainwright hal SurIng ts his feet and iur1f0andaI. uas leaning hsavily on the tatle. staring acrlss .ba threshold cf the suddenly uVsued dgsr-
 Thsre. frzz1ed 70 :he car< doorway- lis face dszfhly pale his eyss gIOviag win a strzugs Hzat ss of murder. stood CyEthla1s b-o.hsr-
 HIS rrsssaue in she eity hau vas no usa~r chsnze. bat th4 cliz4x 0f a ssrS-s