The Detroit times., 1909-05-21

sss~rrs,<as,',uIID lIllNlL
must make his own way 10 the ad-
dress In Paris with which they had
supplied him. and where the girl
might be found. While. failing re-
ceipt OF proof that the marriage re-
quired had been duly solemnized with
In the twelvemonth which was almost
up, IL would be their duty 10 distribute
the estate among such charities as
had been designed by the testator.
Dirck Arendsen's brain was busy
seeking for some weak point on which
TO pounce. but without nnding any.
Even had the real Stephen Quaintance
beeL living. II would have been very
hard for him 10 disprove II. There
was a covetous CLEAN In Dirck Arend'
sens eyes.
"Well?" he asked. Where do I
come in-Mr Quaintance?
Tell me how IL strikes YOU" re-
ouested Seager. his face aslow.
"A good deal depends on the girl, Of
course"
You don't suppose, do you, that
any girls going 10 turn down the
chance OF splitting ten millions with
me- Hang II all. Arendsen. I'm sure
ly not 50 old and ugly as that"
Il shouldn't think SO" Arendser
had TO admit, however grudgingly.
Have you got his diaries with
you?" he demanded
Nope" said Seager. They're at
the hotel. but I've memorized the
most OF their contents. I'm Stephen
Quaintance. and Dominic Seager's
done with"
You'd look foolish If she didn't
fancy you. Arendsen put In malicious
~ and 10 gain time
What difference would il make
Seager answered angrily. You know
what women are, Arendsen III nnd
means 70 have the knot safely tied
well within the time limit and whether
happen 10 hit her fancy or not You
may trust me 10 waste no time in my
WONG. and take II as gospel that
no woman living Is going 10 stand be-
tween me and Ave millions. She may
make any conditions she pleases, 50
long as she marries me. don't care
II never see her face again after the
wedding. I'll disappear and send her
death certificate. SO that she'll be
free 10 marry again II she wants to-
All she has TO do Is TO go 10 the
registrars with me. and pocket her
share OF the money. III make IL SO
easy for her that she'll maybe want
to keep me-but well have TO see
about that afterwards. The great
Joint at present is to get married with
out a moments delay"
Then why don't you start for Paris
at once" interrupted Arendsen. and
the ironical question brought his visit
or to the climax OF their interview.
How can H." he answered irrita-
bly,, until you come In with the eapi-
tai. Let's talk sense. It's up 10 you
TO let me have a couple OF thousand
dollars. and I'll pay you cent per cent.
It'll be the easiest money you ever
touched. and-otherwise you'll get
nothing"
Arendsen was still rejecting rapidly.
He had a far better idea OF the value
OF money than Seager He also knee
that there was no time 10 be lost. and
aid not spend any on futile finessing
The other had perforce come 10 him
as lamb 10 the slaughter, and IL was
pleasure TO bleed him.
I'll put up one thousand dollars, =
he said at length, "and not cent
more. It's sheer speculation. but
I'll risk that much ON Stephen Quaint.
ances note for two million Ave hun.
dred thousand. and Dominic Seagers
for the eighty thousand you owe me
already, with interest at ten per cent
Now, listen TO me-" he went on as
Seagef glsred at hih with ludicrous
mixture OF rage and amaZement IF
you kick. I'll squeal. II you make any
bones about IL. I'll lock you II you
DO me dirt in the very smallest par
ticular leaned forward and shook
a warning finger in his confederate 5
. face-"Ill'-
He said no more. but sat back, sat
isfed. His man was utterly in his
power now. and he saw that Dominic
OF his position.
"All right. then" assented that
worthy In husky voice and after an
interval spent in staring openmouthed
at his orpressor.
And now, II you'll count the cash
out. III give you your notes-I've been
practicing Quaintance's signature so
that II comes of the pen as readily
as my own-and I'll skip across to
Cherbourg by the first steamer"
He signed separate name TO each
OF the documents which his compan.
ion had been preparing. and pocketed
without counting them the notes pro-
duced by the latter from the big safe
You'll cable me the moment the
Lond is registered. Arendsen called
after him. and write me by every
mail. II | fail 10 hear from you reg.
ularly I'll understand that there :
something wrong. and be after you like
a shot
IN send you the news. sure
Seager called back He had not failed
TO comprehend the threat underlying
the careless words.
When next morning. Arsndsen rang
up the steamship office 10 ask whether
berth had yet been reserved for
Stephen Qugihtance. he was politely
informed that that gentleman was
then on the point OF sailing for Paris
Ito he Contisued.D
The Australian government has or.
dered six dirigible balloons and six
I