The newspaper., 1909-01-15
By LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE
Copyright 1891. The Bobbs-Merril COL
SYNOPSIS.


door; Janitor O'Iiagan assured him no
one had been within tlat day. Dan dis
covered woman's finger prints in dust
on his desk. along with letter from his
attorney
But old man Graeme was honest.
in intention at least. He meant no
harm; and in proof of that he offers
to shoulder your loss himself II by so
doing he can induce you to drop furth-
er proceedings. That proves he's in
earnest, Dan, for although Greame is
comfortably well to do. it's a known
fact that the loss of a cool half million.
while it's drop in the bucket to you.
would cripple him"
Then why doesn't he stand to his
associates. and make them each pay
back their fair share OF the loot
That'd bring his liability down to
about fifty thousand"
Because they won't give up without
a contest in the courts. They deny
your proofs-you have those papers.
haven't you?"
Safe. under lock and key" asserted
Maitland. sententiously. When the
time comes I'll produce them"
And they incriminate Graeme?"
They make It look as black for him
as for the others. Do you honestly be-
lieve him innocent. Zimmerman?
Il do. implicitly The dread OF ex-
posure. the fear of notoriety when the
case comes up in court. has aged the
man ten years. lie begged me with
tears in his eyes to induce You to drop
it and accept his offer OF restitution
Don't you think you could do IL. Dan 30
NO. don't" Maitland shook his
head with decision. II | let up. the
scoundrels get of scot free ! have
nothing against Graeme: | am willing
to make 1t as light as can for him:
but this business has got to be aired
in the courts; the guilty will have to
suffer II will be lesson TO the pub
lie. lesson to the scamps. and les
son to Graeme-not TO lend his name
too freely to questionable enterprises"
And that's your final word. is it?"
Final. Zimmerman. You go
ahead: prepare your case and take IL
to court. When the time comes. as
say. I'll produce these papers. | can't
go on this way. letting people that I'm
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
recation Of Bannermans attitude.
signified the irrevocability 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.
Bannerman attending to the inconse-
quent details with an air of abstrac-
tion. 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 busi-
ness and"
"Oh. it's not that" Zimmerman 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"
Maitland looked his CONSERVATION.
In heavens name. what now?' And
grinned as he Joined hands before him
in simulated petition. please don't
read me lecture just now. dear boy.
II you've got something dreadful on
your chest wait till another day. when
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? On, those things? They're
safe enough-in the safe out at Green
fields.''
ITO be sure. Quite sol" agreed the
lawyer. with ironic heartiness. "Oh.
quite And proceeded to take all
Madison square into his confidence.
addressing It from the window. Here's
a young man, sole proprietor OF n
priceless collection of family heir
looms--diamonds, rubies, sapphires ga