The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-10-29

con rid himself of the servile throng at
his side and heels. He turned into q
corridor, and past a door. the open
Sesame" to which was known to very
few of lower position than a county COM
missioner.
Gideon came into the presence of the
chief of police in his private Office, inn
mobile and placid of face as wonted, yet
his lips crushed a sob as he threw him.
self into a vacant chair.
"Nc news" said the official. promptly
and sadly.
at is strange" replied Hope
The chief shook his head seriously.
ave are at a dead wall-no clew," he
went on: 1--WE have traced your brothers
movements down to three o'clock in the
afternoon of the day of his disappear
ance."
Gideon was shading his face, iron set,
with one palm.
"Go on" he said, in tone strangely
subdued, for him.
"Your brother started out on his work
at ten o'clock. He had his customary
grist. comprising eight inquiries as to the
credit standing of as many business firms.
He went to seven.
ITO seven," murmured Gideon, mechan-
ically.
YES" bowed the chief: I'VE traced
him, found that out positively"
"And the eighth"
1--WE do not know"
"Howf"
The official repeated his declaration.
why do you not know-what was the
eighth firm?'
1.-The Consolidated Silver Company"
Gideon looked up. shrewdly.
The rotten stock corporation that
dragged in half million and went to the
WALL" he quickly inquired.
THE samoa stencil in the nostrils of
every honest man. You know the game?
They hired a big vacant factory, fenced
it in mysteriously. and proceeded, accord
ing 20 popular superstition. to make silver
to order. They were closed up the day
after your brother had them on his list
next evening. officers and manual equip
ment disappeared, leaving few useless
machines, some bogus metal mixtures,
and a big load of debts"
Gideon moved YEARLY The public
prints had detailed the giant failure in
n spectacular way. and the particulars
were still fresh in his mind.
MY brother went there that day?v he.
half-consciously, murmured.
I'VE don't know that" explained the
chief; land. perhaps, hardly. You see.
it was shut up tight-practically aban-
doned. Some of the officials were fitting
about the premises, off and on during that
day, but we have no reason to think your
brother really wen. there. I visited the
place. It's empty enough. Tbey haven't
found thousand dollars in assets. The
big vault has not been opened yet. but of
course those swindlers left nothing of
value there. Receiver going to break the
locks this afternoon"
The chief talked on, more to distract
his visitors attention from his main
source of anxiety than anything else.
Gideon arose, with sigh.
"Weli, il you find any trace-at any
time-let me know at once" he said.
Trust me for that ~ assured the Off
cial. Gideon Hope was a man to tie to.
Besides, his magnetism really caught the
chief.
Hope went on to the political meeting
Soon he was the center of attention and
pivot of action. Around his table and
chair, on the right hand side of the stage.
buzzed and fitted the captains of pre-
cincts, while the chairman rapidly rushed
business along, and the masses in the
hall harangued, bickered and perspired.
The critical moment arrived. Masked
hor baH "a al
the putting of the motion that Gideon
Hope must defeat, by a masterful strug-
gle. with opponents bowling. battling for
existence. Each faction strove for the
floating vote, which, at the beck of caprice
or bribery, would turn the balance.
Gideon sat watching for the instant to
.'rrive when, with a gesture of his power
fu. arm, the enunciation of twenty i'm
pressive sentences, he could carry the
mob by storm.
He had superb confidence in his ability.
His eye was awake, every sense on the
keen alert. He sat waiting for his cue.
A touch caused him to turn.
"What?'' he said, sharply. as though
dagger-thrust had touched his vitals, for
he read disaster in the interruption.
His hands trembled slightly, and dull
pallor wreathed bis firm-set lips. 1t was
his friend, the chief of police. who stood
by his side.
You told me to come-at any time,
you know" he stammered apologetically.
Yes yes!" half whispered Gideon, his
tone quite eager and harsh, cracked and
dry.
We've found out something"
WHAT"
The query came with pfstol-shot quick
ness.
Cor, rather, we have found somebody"
''Whom?'
The word was a hollow gasp.
Your brother
Gideon Hope swayed-then, recover
ing, sat stiff, erect again.
"Deadi"
Dead"
"When-where? Tell me. ~
The body of the hall was in riot. The
chairman was pounding with his gavel-
what were they, the interests of politics.
the guidance of a commonwealth, to Gid
con Hope at that supreme mOmentS Some