Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-09-12

The table had drawer. From the
room outside this drawer was con-
cealed by the cloth cover, and Orme
had not suspected its existence.
Now, the table was cheaply made.
The drawer was shallow and narrow.
and 1t was held in position, under the
table. by an open framework Of wood.
When it was pushed In. it was stopped
at the right place by two cleats; there
was no solid strip to prevent its being
pushed in too far.
Orme put his hand to the back Of the
drawer. There was space between
1t and the tabletop.
Cautiously he pushed his hand
through the opening. His fingers
touched fat ob1ect-a pad Of paper.
or-the thought made his heart beat
a large, thick envelope. Could Arima
have used the drawer as hiding
place?
Slowly he got the edge of the object
between his first and second fneers
and drew 1t & little way toward the
back of the drawer. A moment later
he had 1t under hts eyes.
Yes, It was long envslope Of heavy
linen, aod there were bulky papers
within The gummed Zap was toward
him. He was interested to note that,
important though the documents
seemed to be, the envelope was not
sealed with wax.
He remembered what the girl had
said her fathers name was written on
the address side. He had only to turn
it over to learn who she was. In the
circumstances such an act might be
justified. But she had not wished him
to kaow-and he would even now re-
spect her wish and keep his own prom
Use to her first.
His first thought was to slip the en-
velope into his pocket, but it occurred
to him in time that, If it did indeed
contain the documents concerning
which Alcatrante and the stranger
were disputing, 1t would be sought and
missed long before he could escape
from the room. So, taking pencil
from his pocket. he inserted 1t under
the corner of the Zap and slowly
worked the flap free. The strength OF,
the linen prevented any tearing.
He removed the contents Of the en-
velope-two folded sheets of parch-
ment paper, held together by an elastic
band-and thrust them into the inside
pocket OF his coat. All this was done
swiftly and noiselessly.
1t now remained to find something to
take the place Of the distracted docu-
ments. In his pocket we're some print
ed prospectuses Of the mine which he
had come to Chicago to Investigate.
In shape and thickness they were not
dtssimilar to the documents which he
had taken. He slipped the prospectuses'
into the envelope and, wetting his
finger. robbed it along the gummed'
surface of the flap. Enough glue re-
mained to make the flap adhere, after
little pressure. The Job was by no
means perfect, but it was not likely to
be detected.
At that moment Alcatrante raised
his voice and said, still in French:
You are sure, then, that this will not
delay the game, but end it?"
Quite sure" said the Japanese.
Sunless the documents are signed be-
fore midnight tonight nothing can be
done for some time. We have the
Germans fixed. They will do what
they have thus far agreed to do. but If
failure to sign within the time limit.
they will decline to renew negotia-
tons. That was all we could get from
them, but 1t is enough-now."
And for other ships" said Alca-
trante, "the commission shall be five
hundred thousand"
Five hundred thousand. Seven hun
dred and fifty was too much"
Five hundred thousand In gold"
''1n gold"
Orme slipped the envelope back into
the drawer and put his eye to the hole
in the cover. His position was now
more critical, for to open the drawer
and get the envelope Arima would
have to lift the table cover.
The stranger turned to Arima. Give
as the envelope" he said.
Arima approached the table. Orme
crowded back against the wall as far
as he could, knowing that the chances
Of escaping discovery were strongly
against him. But he was saved by the
very eagerness of the others. They all
crowded about Arima, as he lifted the
cover, opened the drawer and took out
the envelope. So close did they stand
that Orme was out OF their angle of
vision The table cover fell again. and
he was safe. He resumed his position
at the peep-hoie.
The stranger stepped to the middle
of the room, the others gathering
around him. With quick jerk he
tore the envelope open, and taking OIL
the papers, ran his eye over them
rapidly. He uttered an exclamation
What is it2" said Alcatrante. The
South Americans hand was shaking,
and Precipitation stood out on his fore
head
The Japanese snarled. "Tricked!
They've fooled us. That honorable
burglar Of yours got the wrong en-
velope."
Alcatrante snatched the papers
Prospectus he read. of the Last
Dare Mining Company But do not
understand"
The japanese glared at him angrily.
"f you had kept out of this business %
he snapped. and let Maku attend to it..