The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-02-26

Copyright Herald CO. An rights ressrved)
- SHALL not take you on at chess this even
- ing" said the master. following Laxtons glnncc
toward the cabinet where the pieces were kept
and settling into his arm chair.
"Wby notf" asked Laxton, he took up a
commanding position the lqueurs and cigars
"Lombroso says rascals grow quarrelsome In the
spring" returned Burcb. But note that I'm your
manner which indicates a definite cause for irri
tation should beat you numerically and you would
sulk. Meanwhile at this fog drcnched season domes
tic peace is OF the eSsentins"
Laxton achieved smile that ended in frown
"Do show signs of tainted temper. them
Something OF the kind You hcsitntcd twice be-
tween the ktmmel and the cacao; you have big club
OF newspapers in your overcoa out of town papers nj
that and you have cung to that bcasty cigarette
since you IN, deliberate insult to fhe nerves
All Of which spells mental travail of kind.
What is itT
abruptly.
"Ah" said tho master nodding. That OF course
You are unfortunate In the possession OF shred Of
conscience Laxton-"
"Now. why do you put It that way3" returned the
younger man. with annoyance II feel
some sympathy for Necroft. can't I? The boy Is
absolutely innocent, believe. but they to rail-
road him."
"How dlsnterested,. said Burch with n faint hint
leve,' does you credit"
LaXton flushed and seemed the verge OF an
angry retort- "wen you asked what my mind,
and I've told you" he said Perhaps. with your
cleverncss. you'll spot the forger next"
There" commented the master. "What did I sag7
Lombroso right. 1 suggested you were the
foreer. But I'm fairly certain Of this much Laxton-
you know, not believe. that Necroft is innocent"
'WcllT' said Jaxton, susplclously
thor nd Snv 0ofy thn
forger." went the master, "Rut you had hand in
it." He leaned forward and looked into the others
eyes kecnly you had hand In It. And because
you cut rather unusual plan FOR one OF your
calling Necrofts peril oppreSses you. Am right?
II don't admit that you arc" said Laxten, uncom-
fortably.
"Then III show you A month before the coup
man called at Youngng's Office and represented him.
self agent for Oregon coal mining company
with a big concession to finance. Hc was fluent
takcr and he stayed half hour. Younglipg looked
up the company and found 1t did exist Tho agent
never came back can't say whether the fluent agent
took pen. or certain papers on the desk scrap
out Of the waste basket or simply made observations
Holding the Pen
Five years ago Youngng made a big deal In Ore
coal lands, and that why he ready 10 give
to the visitor Ordinarily he is difficult OF approach
Yet this supposed agent answered the searching
questions readily. All this came out at tho invcs
tigation.
"Now, Oregon and coal special subjects, not
topics that any chance operator would pick unless
he knew what he doing. ] recall that you Lax
ton. IN retreat in Alaska and the Northwest
years ago. and if right you studied land and
mining conditions Just about the time when Youngling
made his winning
'For another point. know OF very few forgcrs who
take the trouble and the risk to visit their prospective
victim In person before turning the trick. The few
who do It say that the advantage gained IS usually
great such the opportunity to note the kind OF pen
he uses perhaps to obtain the very pen him
In the OF writing and the way cramps his wrist
There rrhap three free hand professionals In the
country whom have known to proceed on that basis
You one OF them. That's almost enough TO lden-
tlfy you, think"
Jaxton listened moodiy. "Of course I might have
known you would pick up those things. But why
stop? Why not say committed the forgeryf"
Burch looked at him curiousy. Because have
never known you to make OF an outsider to his
deliberate peril After that visit of yours the methods
changed. Necroft WAS approached, cntrapped nud
wruug dry. He induced to furnish blank checks
and drafts That was not you, Laxton. I only
suppose you drew out What IT. scrapT
"Ycs" snapped LaSton with n sudden Hush. 'I
pulled when they went after Nccroft That wasn't
my style"
Exactly. And you'd like to save him."
"If could do 1t without splitting on any one" snd
LaIton. 'Necroft never really knew what coming
of. He was awfully decent chap helpless as a
child, just fifteen dollar clerk Burcb. III never
sleep sound again II they put him away for that Job
And IL you'd his white faced little wife when he
arrested. Only girl, Burch; ptlful, pleading
girl who beloved in him"
'LaIton," said tho master at have stll to know your
fun worth What you willing to dof'
incs rfo
within 10 set the boy or. tell you he Is clean
of the thing. When they told what line they had
taken with him was near to blowing the whole game
Can you way to help him.
Again the master studied him kceply. Perhaps,
he sald III you tell me who they these others"
Laxton sank back with sigh and shook his head
"It can't be done, Burch You know 1t can't No,
even to you
Burch rose bis strong. lean face lighted by o,
his winning smiles "axton, you've got the stuo
In you." he said. Now jumps the word It's nearly
nine o'clock he clappcd his hands. and Ota, the Jap
oil frdr Thc noator pnI