The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1909-07-21
LITERARY MAGAZINE

blacks and the whites, while the two rows of un-
moved pieces behind the pawns were left unpro-
tected.
Now. they might take each other fighting as
they are, striving to maintain their ridiculous and
uncalledfor position positions which are impossi-
BILE of maintenance, and would leave the more i'm
portant pieces to destroy each other in turn now
that the protecting guard is endangered and He
swept the pawns off with quick sweep to fall
gathering from the edges of the board-"Gone!"
Judge Reilly in this clash had leaned forward
over the others shoulder knowing that his
thoughts had been adequately expressed
than would have been possible for him, and that
one other man. the one he most venerated shared
with him the fear of national crisis The white
hands were slowly replacing the scattered pawns
in position once more. One pawn advanced to
the center and stood alone.
THAT the player said softly, "is I. Can | de.
pend upon you to with me throughout the
game? assure you it will be pleasing pastme
for Tiger Reilly, batte-scarred in stirring events
who in the past, has not feared to thrust firm
hands into reckless enterprises of great pth and
moment, which seldom went awry.'
The eX-boss stretched forth slow fingers and
pushed another pawn forward until it was in
support of the daring piece in the lead His
swer was given.
The players Strengthened up and looked at each
other. Reilly's face unusually grim and hard,
while that of the recluse had softened into lines
of friendliness They dropped into two
chairs which were drawn close together, and the
white head of Moore drew closer to that of his
companion as he began to speak in low voice.
"a OR more than an hour he talked concisely and
with rapidty, showing that his plans had been
thoroughly formulated before he had called for
conference with Reilly. At times as he prog
ressed, the ex-boss interjected question, or
gave an exclamation of SURPRISE but it was plain
ly to be seen that the project now unfolded met
with his awed approval and that the arguments
offered We're sweeping away his inherent caution.
What do you think of it?" Moore said at last,
when his campaign had been fully outlined
The ex-boss sat quietly for long time his eyes
fixed on vacancy, his fingers drumming thought
full tattoo the of the chair.
ut would be possible, if we could get the men
we need to do the little things"
THE pawns," Moore said. "Well l agree to
get thcm."
IF you do that" the Judge answered. lean.
ing forward, II can do the rest, and I'm going
to tell you honestly that wouldn't say that much
if l didn't know better than any one that you
have more men, means and more ways than
any other person living"
The recluse smiled, and turned to his desk Ile
picked up bundle of envelopes addressed as had
been those on the previous night in his own hand.
writing, and ran them through his fingers one by
one.
ITO Corporal John Feany, Who tomorrow night
will guard the doors of the capitol. To William
Hinchclif, private who will stand watch at the
White House gate; and these the Others to men
in both the Liberal and Conservative camps around
Washington-al of them men who, in times past
for reasons which you do not know, have prom
lsed to do as you have done, act at my command
when called upon They contain the first warn
ing which I have issued appealing for disband
ment signed THE Nations Pawn-which will
not be acted upon" He shuffled the letters into
two packets, handing to Reilly those which he
had not explained.
These" he said "are letters of introduction to
other men you may be called upon to use which
will grant you audience, hearing and, l trust
obedience You will read those at your leisure"
AS the judge took them, the recluse stood up
and walked to tapestry in a corner of the wall
He pulled it aside, exposing wainscoting
pressed secret combination, and panel of the
wood slid back, exposing a stronghold concealed
behind. He whired the combination lock rapidly
underneath his fingers and then, presently came
back to where Reilly sat. He thrust into his
hands packet of bank notes of large denomina
ton and of sufficient number to cause the ex-boss
to enter vigorous protest
II don't want that" he said IT only need part
OF it. What can do with fifty thousand dollars?"
Do? the Nations Pawn answered. do? You
can buy when other means fail Yau