The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-03-10
ANGELESQUIRE
BY EDGAR WALLACE

and three-quarters II solid cash, an
a bit over two millions-all in"
He paused to notice the effect of his
words.
Jimmy's calm annoyed him: Mas
seys indifference was outrageous.
An it's Jimmy's share, an Connor's
snare, an It's Miss Kathleen Kent's
share"
This time the effect was better Into
Jimmy's inexpensive face crept a
CLEAN OF interest.
"kent?" he asked quickly. Wasn't
that the name of the man"
Old Reale chuckled.
The very Teller, Jimmy-the man
who came In to lose a tenner, an lost
ten thousand; who came in next night
to get 1t back, and left his lot. That's
the f~eller!"
He rubbed his lean hands, as at the
memory or some pleasant happening.
open that cupboard, Jimmy" He
pointed to an old fashioned walnut cab
met that stood lear the door. Dye see
anything-a thing that looks like a
windmill"
Jimmy drew out a cardboard struc-
ture that was apparently a toy work.
ing model. He handled 1t carefully, and
deposited 1t on the table by the old
mans side. Old Reale touched 1t ca
ressingly. With his little finger he set
a fly wheel spinning, and tiny little
pasteboard rods ran to and fro, and
little wooden wheels SCUM easily.
That's what I al with his money,
invented a o n..chine that went by
itself-perpetual motion. You can grin,
Massey, but that's what I did with 1t.
Five years work an a quarter of a
million, that's what that little model
means. l never found the secret out. /
could always make a machine that
would go for hours with d little push,
but 1t always wanted the push. I've
been a chap that went in for inven-
lions and puzzles. Dye remember the
table at Suez?
He shot a shy glance at the men.
Massey was growing impatient as
the rem1niscences proceeded. He had
come that night vith an object; he had
taken a big risk, a G had not lost sight
OF the fact. Now he broke in
Damn your puzzles. Reale. What
about me; never mind about Jimmy.
What's all this rotten talk about two
millions for each Of us, and this girl I?
When you broke up the place In Egypt
you said we should stand in when the
time came. Well, the times comet"
his death's-head grin. ITS nearly
come. You needn't have trouble to see
me. My lawyers got you addresses.
I'm nearly through" he went on cheef-
fully; dead I'll be in six months, as
sure as-as. death. Then you fellers
will get the money"--he spoke slowly
to give effect to his words-"you
Jimmy, or Massey or Conner o. the
young lady. You say you don't like
puzzles, Massey? Well, it's a bad look
out for YOU. Jimmy's the clever un,
an most likely he'll get it.; Connor's
artful, and he might get it from
Jimmy; but the young lady's got the
best chance, because women are good
at puzzles"
What in hell" roared Massey,
springing to his feet.
"Sit down." 1t was Jimmy that
spoke. and Massey obeyed.
There's a puzzle about two mil
lions" Reale went on, and his croaky
voice, with it's harsh cockney accent,
grew In his enjoyment of Massey's per-
plexity and Jimmy's knit brows. IAN
the one that finds the puzzle out gets
the money"
Had ne been less engrossed in his
own amusement he would have seen a
change In Massey's brute face that
would have warned him.
IT'S in my WILL" he went on. I'm
goin' to set the sharps against the
flats; the touts of the gamblin' hell
that's you two f~ellers-against the pig
cons. Two Of the biggest pigeons is
dead an ones dying. Well. he's got a
daughter; let's see what she can do.
When I'm dead"
That's now!" beloved Massey, and
leant over and struck the old man,
Tiron,u on hiS foot Sopy fha ~,,c1
of blood and the knife in Massey's
hand, and reached for his pocket.
Massey's pistol covered him, and the
mans face was a dreadful thing to look
upon.
Hands up. It's Gods truth I'll kill
you IL you don't!"
Jimmy's hands went up.
Hes got the money here" breathed
Massey, somewhere in this house."
You're mad" said the other con-
temptuously. why did you hit him ?"
HE sat there maxim a fool Of me-"
The murderer gave a vicious glance at
the inert figure on the floor. II want
something more than his puzzle-talk.
He asked for It,"
He backed to the table where the
decanter stood, and drank a tumbler
half-flled with raw spirit.
Were both in this, Jimmy" he said,
still keeping his man covered. You
can put down your hands; no monkey
tricks. Give me your pistol"
Jimmy slipped the weapon from his
pocket, and handed 1t butt foremost to
the man. Then Massey bent over the
fallen man and searched his pockets.
Here are the keys. You stay here"
said Massey, and went out, closing the
door after him.
Jimmy heard the crate Of the key,
and knew he was a prisoner. He bent
over the old man. He lay m%otionless.
Jimmy tried the pulse, and felt a faint
futter., Through the clenched teeth he
forced a little whiskey, and after a
minute the old mans eyes opened.
Jimmy" he whispered; then re-
asked.
There was no need to inquire the
whereabouts Of Massey. His blunder-
ing footballs sounded in the room
above.
"Lookin' for money!" gasped the old
man, and something like a smile
crossed his face. Safes up there" he
whispered. and smiled again. Got the
keys?"
Jimmy nodded.
The old mans eyes wandered round
the room till they rested on what looked
like a switchboard.
See that handle marked ~'seven'?" he
whispered.
Jimmy nodded again.
Pull 1t down. Jimmy boy" His voice
n