The San Francisco call., 1910-01-23

tim for such plot. The newspapers had been full OF
the attempts to oust Bidwe from the control Of the
Grapnel insurance company; full also of his vigorous
campaign for proxies against the approaching election
of directors. He had made headway through shrewd,
aggressive tactics advertising and show Of reorgan-
izaton. But breath would overthrow him. The let
would spell death to him, for here in all the bald
of the written word. the story Of his folly
They all addressed to the woman and Car
ter SKINNED through one two to CLEAN the es-
sential facts He wondered for moment why the red
faced had allowed him to overbd for the cabinet
but reflected that the incident would have attracted at
tention the price had much higher and that his
actions must have argued a knowledge Of the
contents
Meanwhile his situation awkward and
called for instant action The stranger had the
ure of his weakness and for the first time he needed
some one on whom to lean Sam Pulsain was the only
person present on whom he had hold. Even to call
him In it was to chance all he had gained through his
months Of effort But he had felt vaguely that he must
stave off such attack before he had far and
he must face the test He went to the dining room,
looked in and after few seconds caught the eye of
his host. The boy read the signal and, excusing him
self, out
SAM" said Carter, without preamble I'm in seri-
Gus trouble. I'm not the man to impose friend
ship such as yours and mine, but this is in
which only friend act. There's here bent
slandering me and kicking up row. Aside from
the that it would be unpleasant for guests 1t
would be mighty hard the cause of it. What
ever he can say about in your hearing, Of course
would give me uneasiness. Can you help to get
rid of him?"
Pulsain quick to speak.
Count on me, old man." he said. Hes in the re-
ception room, eh? Oh Phillips he called to the
butler over the stairs.
YES. sir" came the respectful voice of Phillips.
Come up with Johnson. the chauffeur, will you,
without making any noise
Pulsain marshaled his quickly and quietly.
merely giving few brief directions to wait upon his
signal Leaving them in the main hall he entered the
reception with Carter. The stranger still stood
under the chandelier. He looked up with curious in
terest at Sans entrance.
MAY ask what you doing in my house?" asked
Pulsain.
Certainly" said the stranger, promptly. 81 came
to get certain property held by Mr. Carter which does
not belong to him."
"Your presence here is Objectionable to Mr. Carter
and to me. / must ask you to leave"
Sorry you don't like It." returned the
lessly. "But Mr. Carter knows how to get rid Of
He's only got to hand over what isn't his
I'm that case shall have you thrown out, !"
said Sam sharply, and at his his followers ap-
peared In the doorway.
The stranger took in the situation with an UNDER
standing glance.
"All right, mister. you've got the call III 60 But
before do let put you wise to this four fusher
who calls himself Robert Carter. You think he's
of your kind, don't you-with family and money. and
standing, and all that? Well, he's just con- man.
pure and simple. He's playing you and the rest Of
your crowd for good things Oh. he's smart enough,
with his good looks and his nimble tongue. But he
is nothing but faker probably reformed bar tender
1 should say. He hasn't cent in the world except
what he can graft from marks like you. See? Take
tumble to him before he gets away with your roll
pulls of some stunt thatn make you the laughing
stock Of the town. He's robbng and he'll rob you
If you let him. Just think what you know
him or where he came from. Damn little I'll bet"
Pulsain looked at him unmoyed. I'm waiting he
said.
The stranger laughed unpleasantly and put his
hat passing off his discontinue in good STYLE. --