Washington telegraph., 1909-05-14
That'd bring his liability down u

n
That'd bring his liability down "
about fifty thousand" -
Because they won't give UP Wi'noNV
a contest in the courts. They uen'
your proofs-you have those papers
haven't your"
Safe, under lock and key, asserted
Maitland, sententiously When en0
time comes I'll produce them. -
And they ineriminate Graeme
They make it look as black Tor MN
as for the others. Do you honestly De
lieye him innocent, Zimmerman!
Il do implicitly. The dread OF eX-
| posure, the fear of notoriety when the
case comes up in court, has aged inc
man ten years. He begged HE WIN
tears in his eyes to induce you to drop
1t and accept his offer of restitution.
Don't you think you could do 1t, Dan
No, | don't" Maitland shook ms
head with decision. IF let up, the
scoundrels get off scot free. | nave
nothing against Graeme; | am WILING
to make it as light as | can for MIN,
but this business has got to be aifeu
IN the courts; the guilty will have 10
suffer. 1t will be lesson to the pup
lie, lesson to the scamps, and a les
son to Graeme-not to lend his name
too freely to questionable enterprises.
And that's your final word, IS II!
Final, Bannerman You go
ahead; prepare your case and take 1t
to court. When the time comes, as |
say, I'll produce these papers. / can I
go on this way, letting people that III
an easy mark just because | was un-
fortunate enough to inherit more
money than is good for my whole
some"
Maitland twisted his eyebrows in dep
reeation of Bannerman's attitude;
signified the irrevocabiity of his de-
cision by bringing his fist down upon
the table-but not heavily enough to
disturb the other diners; and, laugh
ing, changed the subject.
For some moments he gossiped
cheerfully of his new power boat,
Zimmerman attending to the inconse-
quent details with an air of abstrac-
ton. Once or twice he appeared
about to interrupt, but changed his
mind; but because his features were
SO wholly infantile and open and can
did, the time came when Maitland
could no longer ignore his evident
perturbation.
Now what's the trouble?" he de-
manded with a trace of asperity.
Cant you forget that Graeme bust
ness and"
ssOh, it's not that" Bannerman dis
missed the troubles of Mr. Graeme
with an airy wave of pudgy hand.
That's not my funeral, nor yours.
Only I've been worried, of late
by your utterly careless habits
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS CONSERVATION
In heavens name, what now?" Ant
grinned as he joined hands before hin
in simulated petition. please dom
read me lecture just now dear boy
If you've got something dreadful OF
your chest wait till another day, wher
I'm more in the humor to be found
fault with"
mo lecture" Bannerman laughed
nervously. I've merely been wonder
ing what you have done with the Matt
land heirlooms."
what? Oh, those things? They're
safe enough-in the safe out at Green
fields"
TO be surel Quite sol" agreed the
lawyer, with ironic heartiness. ooh
quite" And proceeded to take al
Madison square into his confidence
addressing it from the window. Here's
a young man, sole proprietor of &
priceless collection of family heir
looms--diamonds rubies, sapphires ga
lore; and he thinks they're safe
enough in a safe at his country resi-
dence, so miles from anywherel Wha
a simple, trustful soul it isl"
why should I bother?" argued
Maitland, sulkily, It's a good, strong
safe, and-and there are plenty Of
servants around" he concluded
| largely
Precisely. Likewise plenty of bur
glars. You don't suppose a determined
criminal like Anisty, for instance
would bother himself about a handful
of thick-headed servants, do your
"Anisty?"-with a rising infection
of inquiry
Zimmerman squared himself to face
his host, elbows on table. "You dom
mean to say you've not heard of Anis
ty, the great Anisty?" he demanded.
Il dare say l have" Maitland con
ceded, unperturbed. Name rings ia
miliar, somehow"
"Anisty'-deliberately-"is said tc
be the greatest jewel thief the world
/ In Ef l~.,-