The Mena weekly star., 1909-06-17

call 1t bad, rotten bad. Whats more, can tell you the American people won't stand for it."
 You think they can help them selves?"
 T know they can. You fellows are big, but you won't last over night if the American people get really aroused. And they are stirring in their sleep and kicking off the bed clothes"
 Yet you ought to belong to the conservatives"
 "I do. That's why the situation is dangerous. You as an old San Fran ciscan ought to remember how con servative was that celebrated viz. lance committee. It Is when the long suffering, pusillanimous, conservative element gets fighting mad that some thing is doing"
 Maybe" muttered Keatcham thoughtfully. q believe we can man age for you better than you can for yourselves; but when the brakes are broken good driving can't stop the machine; all the chauffeur can do is to keep the middle of the road. I like to be beaten as little as any of them but I'm not fool. Winter, you are used to accomplishing things; what is your notion of the secret?"
 Knowing when to stop exhausting trumps, 1 reckon-but you don't play cards"
 Tt is the same old game whatever you play" said the railway king. He did not pursue the discussion; his questions, Winter had found, invaria- bly, had purpose, and that purpose was never argument. He lay back on the big leather cushions of the lounge his long. lean fingers drumming on the table beside him and an odd smile playing about the corners of his mouth; his next speech dived Into new waters. He said: Have those men from New York got Atkins, yet?'
 They couldn't find him." answered the colonel. T have been having him shadowed, on my own ideal think he stabbed you. though l have nc proof of it; I take 1t you have proof of your matter"
 Plenty" said Keatcham. 'I was going to send him to the pen in self defense. It isn't safe for me to have 1t creep out that my secretary made a fortune selling my secrets. Besides I don't want to be killed. You say they can't find him ?'
 Seems to have gone to Japan"
 Seems? What do you mean?"
 "I am not sure. He was booked fol a steamer; and a man under his name of his build and color. did actually sail on the boat" announced the colonel hlandly.
 Hmm! He's right here in Sar Francisco; read that note"
 Winter read the note, written or Palace hotel note-paper, in a sharp scrawling. Italian hand. The contents were sufficiently startling.
 Dear friend Hoping this find vol well. Why do you disregard a true | Warning? We did write you afors once for say you give that money o' | we Elidl Dt RVihBtA " kill you quick. No? You laff. Goo knows we got have that twenty-five | thousan dol. Yes. And now because of such great expence 1t is fifty thou san you shall pay. We did not meaI kill you dead only show you for sur' there is no place so secret you car | Hide no place so strong can defend you. Be Warn. You come with $50, 000.00 in s100 bills. You go or sent l Mir. Mercer to the Red Hat; ask fo Louis. Say to Louis For the Blacl Hand. Louis will come to you. Yo' will be forgive all heretobefores. Else ways you must die April 15-20. Thi is sure. You have felt our dagger thu other is worse.
 You well wishing Fren.
 "The Black Hand" Sounds like Atkins pretending t be Dago," said the colonel dryly. " could do better myself"
 Very likely" said Keateham.
 Does he mean business? What he after?"
 "To get me out of the way H knows he isn't safe until I'm dead Then he hasn't been cleaned out, bu he has lost a lot of money in thi Midland business. The cipher he ha Is of no use to him, there. or in tn other things which unluckily he know about. With me dead and the ciphe in his hands, he could have made mil Hons: even without the cipher, if h knows I'm dead before the rest of tn