The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-05-26

:@:!:==.ssiiai||n||||D|||lDP'
beard and moustache, thick NOR
OF lustreless hair. He seemed tC
be Unfortunately busy Just then
since he did not even look up te
see whom 1t was that had called
about a consignment Of coffin nails
two years old. Dominic Seager haG
time to glance around the room.
It was small, square chamber
unkempt and evil-smelling, scantily
furnished with Uttered f1at-tor
desk, a safe, few chairs. The
floor was thiekly carpeted. On the
Opaque pones Of the window which
gave on a well outside lay the
shadows of heavy bars. The silence
was almost impressive.
Mr.. Arendsen at length raised
his eyes, and so suddenly that Sea
ger was startled. But nevertheless
he met them with a successful
enough assumption of GOODNESS.
"So!" Missed Mr.. Arendsen, with
slowly rising infection, and in the
monosyllable there was more pur-
poseful menace than might have
been expressed in many words.
Nov don't get hot" Seager ad
vised, controlling his own premoni
tons Of coming trouble and speak
ing steadily now that he was face
to face with its probable source.
"I've come to settle about that
shipment, and I want you to hear
me out in rational spirit"
Mr.. Arendsen did not appear to
have heard him in anyspirit at all
He reached for the telephone
standing in front of him, with Its
mouthpiece close to his lips.
"Wulf," said he, run round to
the corner Of Hudson and fetch in
cop. Fetch him straight up here
and be quick about it,
Then he leaned back, elbows up
on the arms of his chair. hands
clasped, and listened, as If for foot
steps, his head on one side.
"I'll settle wit hcompound inter
est" Seager continued as though
he had not spoken, and watching
him closely. Figure it all out and
lie tine know the amount. I'm on
the square, you see, although I'll
admit that appearances have been
against me-"
Mr.. Arendsen eyed him curiously
but made no answer.
Get busy" commanded the
other, his courage rising to grapple
with the occasion. 1t was in antici
patton only that he had feared the
man before him. He was quite cool
and quick-witted now, ready to play
to his opponents lead.
Get busy. You heard what
said. Do you want me to with
draw my offer and go?"
you'll go. all right" Arendser
retorted gratingly. "Oh, yes. you'll
go--just as soon's the policeman
comes upstairs. You'll go where
you ought to have gone long ago
and you'll stay there"
"Then you don't want your mon
ey?" Seager asked easily.
''1f you have the money, I'll get
1t. I'll get 1t, don't fear for that
And you'll get what's coming to
you. Oh, yes, you'll get that too.
Don't fool yourself, Arendsen. II
you put me away, you'll get moth
ing. Take my word for that. and
in time. It'll cost you lot to put
spite on me, and--l can tell stories
| too"
He was beginning to fear that he
had, after all. walked into a fatal
trap. but showed no sign of that
outwardly.
you know nothing that will dc
me the least harm-now," his en-
envy replied imperturbably. GAN II
will ost me to wipe out old scores
I'll stand forts lost money any
how. You've come here with an
other cock and bull story. and
wanting more money. More money
my God! l know you too well, tC
think any other errand would tempt
you to cross my threshold. 1t will
cost me less to lock you up than tc
listen"
Seager was disconnected by the
intuition with which his former
friend had hit the mark, and show
ed that by his next move.
"It's a sure thing this time" he
said, "a old-drawn cinch. have
full proof with me"--he fumbled In
a pocket and produced bulk,
package which he held up before
the other-"all signed and sealed
all safe and certain. You're not go
ing to he such fool"
81 have been fool-once," as
serted Arendsen, with dreary fixit,
Of purpose.
"And once is far too often" h,
added viciously. you're clever