Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-08-10
The Brass Boul
Continuation of Chapter II.

your loss himself. If by so doing he can
! induce you to drop further proceedings
| That proves he's in earnest, Dan, for al
| though Graeme is comfortably we'll to
do. it's a known fact that the loss of a
cool half-million. while It's a drop in the
bucket TO you, would cripple him."
Then why doesn't he stand to his asso-
ciates, and make them each pay back their
Fair share Of the loot? Thatd bring his
liability down to about fifty thousand"
Because they won't give up without a
| contest In the courts. They deny your
lproofs-you have those papers, haven't
your
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 believe
him innocent. Bannerman7"
| 'I do, implicitly. The dread of exposure,
the fear OF notoriety when the case comes
up in court, has aged the man ten years.
He begged me with tears in his eyes to
inGuce you to drop 1t and accept his Of
fer of restitution. Don't you think you
could do it, Dan7"
mo, 1 don't" Maitland shook his head
with decision. "If 1 let up, the scoun-
drels get of scot-free. have nothing
against Graeme; l am willing to make
! II as light as 1 can for him; but this
business has got to be aired In the courts
the guilty will have to suffer It will be
lesson to the public, lesson to tho
scamps, and a lesson to Graeme-not to
lend his name too freely to questionable
/ enterprises"
And that's your final word, is it?''
Final, Bannerman. e. You go
ahead; prepare your case and take it
to court. When the time comes, as
say, I'll produce these papers. / can't
60 on this way, letting people believe
that I'm an easy mark just because
was unfortunate enough to inherit more
money than is good for my wholesome"
Maitland twisted his eyebrows in depre-
cation of Bannerman's attitude; signified
the irrevocability of his decision by bring
ing his fist down upon the table-but not
heavily enough to disturb the other din
ers; and, laughing. changed the sub
ject.
For some moments he gossiped cheer
fully OF his new power-boat, Bannerman
attending to the inconsequent details with
an air of abstraction. Once or twice he
appeared about to interrupt, but changed
his mind; but because his features were
so wholly infantile' and open and candid,
the time came when Maitland could no
longer ignore his evident perturbation.
Now what's the trouble?" he demand
ed with a trace of asperity Cant you
forget that Graeme business and"
| "Oh, it's not that" Bannerman dis
missed the troubles of Mr.. Graeme with
an airy wave of a pudgy hand. That's
rot my funeral, nor your. Only I've
heen worried, of late, by your utterly
| careles habits"
Maitland looked his CONSERVATION. I'm
heavens name, what now?' And grinned
as he Joined hands before him in simulat-
ed petition. please don't read me lee
ture now, dear boy. II you've got some
thing dreadful on your chest wait till an
other day, when I'm more in the humor
to be found fault with"
''No lecture" Zimmerman laughed
Inervously. i've merely been wonder"
! ing what you have done with the Matt
land heirlooms."
What? Oh, those things7 They're safe
enough-in the safe out at Greenfields.''
ITO be surei Quite sol" agreed the law
yer. 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 a priceless collection OF
family acknowledgements, rubies, sap
phires galore; and he thinks they're safe
enough in q safe at this country resi-
dence, 80 miles from anywhere! What q
simple, trustfuI soul II isl ,....
why should bother?' argued Matt
land suIlxily. IT'S a good, strong safe.
and-and there are plenty of servants
around" he concluded largely.
Precisely Likewise plenty OF burg
lars You don't suppose a determined
criminal like Anisty. for instance, would
bother himself about a handful of thick
headed servants. do your
"Anisty7'-with a rising infection Of in
quiry.
D.rzo-.-.o,. .z,,o.a1 htr,satS IN Fara his
host, elbows on table. You don't
mean to say you'veanot heard of An
isty, the great Anisty?" he demanded.
1T dare say have" Maitland conced-
ed. unperturbed. Name rings familiar,
somehow"
"Anisty. deliberately. us said to be
the greatest Jewel thief the world has
ever known He has the police OF Amer
| lea and Euro pc by the ears to catch him.
They have been hot on h is trail for the
past three years, and would have nabbed
him a dozen times IL only he'd had the
| grace TO stay in one place long enough.
| The man who made off with the Brace
girdle diamonds, smashing a b urglar
proof vault into scrapiron to get EN-
don't you remember
"Ye-es; seem to recall the affair, now
that you mention it," Maitland admit
ted. bored. We'll, and what of Mr..
| Anisty?"
''Only what have told you, taken in
connection with circumstances that he is
known to be in New York, and that the
Maitland heirlooms are tolerably famous
as much as your careless habits, Dan.
Now, a safe deposit vault
"Um-m-m." cons idered Maitland. You
really believe that Mr.. Anisty has his
| bold burgiarious eye on my property?
IT'S a big enough haul to attract
him." argued the lawyer earnestly; An
| isty always aims high. Now, will
you do what / have been begging you
to do for the past eight years?"
Seven" corrected Maitland punctil-
iously. Its just seven years since 1
entered into mine Inheritance and you
became my counselor"
well, seven then. Will you put those
jewels in a safe deposit?"
oh 1 suppose So"
But when?"
Would II suit you IL I ran out to-
night?" Maitland demanded so abruptly
that Bannerman was disconnected.
"I-er-ask nothing better"
''rll bring them in town tomorrow. You
| arrange about the vault and advise me,
| will you. like a good fellow?"
BLESS my soul! never dreamed that
you would be $3.50"
"Amendable to Discipline p
Maitland grinned boynke, and
| leaning back. appreciated Lawyer
Bannermans startled expression with keen