The Delta independent., 1910-11-18

The South American n'I :.::,i Finch.
his unwelcome companion. Aica-
trante would cling to him like an
Old Man of the Sea. awaiting the op-
portunity to get the better of him.
Every vile would be employed; but
publicity was no part Of the game
Orme began really to believe that.
To shake on Alcatrante, perhaps
there was no better way than to lure
him to some deserted place and over
power him. But would not Alcatrante
be likely to have anticipated such
move? And would he not resort to
desperate measures of his own before
Orme could put his own plans into
practise? Bixby might help.
Orme walked over to the inquiry
window. Il want to see Mr.. Bixby."
he said, Offering his card.
The young woman behind the win.
dow took the card. but at the same
time she said: Mr.. Bixby left few
minutes ago. He won't be back to-
day. Shall keep the card for him?"
1T doesn't matter. thank you." he
said. turning away. Luck was against
him. Besides Bixby no one in the Of
fee knew him.
Alcatrante smiled genially. "Since
Mr.. Bixby Is absent" he remarked.
shall we leave the verifcation of the
notes until tomorrow"
What are you talking aboutr' ex-
claimed Orme.
why" Alcatrante's face was the
picture Of astonishment-''theW Walling-
ham company notes. Of course. The
notes you wish to sell me-" His voice
was raised 80 that the girl behind the
window could not help hearing.
"Rot!" said Orme.
"What!" A note of indignation crept
into Alcatrante's voice. Are you
evading? Perhaps you thought would
not insist on the verincation." An
other clerk. q man. had Joined the girl
behind the window. Alcatrante sud
denly addressed him This Mr.. Orme
told me that he needed to raise money
and would transfer to me cheap some
notes signed by your company. Imet
him At the hotel. He said that,
would come here with him. he would
show the notes and have them veri-
ned. don't understand"
Tho clerk left the window. and.
opening q door. came into the recep-
ton room. What are the notes you
have?" he asked.
II have none," replied Orme. In dis
gust. Il have never pretended to have
any. This man is crazy. think" He
pointed to Alcatrante. He has fol-
lowed me here unlimited for reasons Of
his own. l asked for Mr.. Bixby. whom
I know. I would have asked for Mr..
Wallingham. my personal friend, but
that had already learned Of his being
at Arradale."
There's funny business here some
where" exclaimed Alcatrante. with
great earnestness. DO you mean to
say that you did not introduce your
self to me in the lobby Of the Framing
ton and ask me to buy the notes1"
Orme did not answer.
With a conservative eye the clerk
looked at the two. He was not one to
involve himself in a dubious affair.
"T can't settle this matter for you.
gentlemen" he said.
With a slight bow. Orme went into
the hall. II dawned upon him why AL
catrante had invented SO remarkable
a story. without question. the min
lister had feared that Orme would en-
list aid IN the ONCE. or that at least he
would manage to deposit the coveted
papers in safety while he found other
means to get rid of his shadow. Hence
the sudden effort to discredit Orme.
In the long corridor Orme gave no
further attention to Alcatrante. who
was pattering along beside him. The
course he now had in mind was to hire
a cab and ride out Of the city-all the
way to Arradale. II possible. The dis
tance could not be much greater than
Is miles. II Alcatrante chose to pur-
sue, we'll and good. There would be
ways of disposing of him.
Then an audacious notion flashed
into Orme's mind. Why not let Alca-
trante ride with him? Why not take
the minister all the way to his destna-
ton and at the end turn him over a
prisoner?
The idea was hardly practicable. He
might meet other enemies, and In that
event he would not care to have an
enemy already at his side. 1t came to
him for the first time that the nearer
he approached his goal. the greater
would be the opposition he would have
to overcome. Whatever else the South
Americans and Japanese might do,
they would have their guards about
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