The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-03-24
BY EDGAR

was Reale, who Massey. A week ag'
Massey had himself sat in that room
n discussed with Connor h crypti
verse that played so strange a part II
the old mans will. He had beer II
q way. an honorary member OF tn
Borough Lot"
Conner continued. He spoke slowly
waiting for inspiration. A judicious III
might save the situation. But nc in
spiration came. and he found his re
luctant tongue speaking the truth.
The money is stored in one safe
Oh, It's no use looking like that, Tony
you might just as well try to cracl
the Bank of England as that crib. Yes
he converted every cent Of a million
and three-quarters into hard, solid casl
ban notes n gold. This he pu1
into his damned safe. n locked. Ant
he has left by the terms Of his will 9
key.
Conner was a man who did not find
speaking an easy matter. Every wore
came slowly and hesitatingly, as
though the speaker Of the story were
loath to part with 1t.
THE key is here" he said slowly.
There was a rustic Of eager antici-
patton as he dipped his han in his
his fingers, they contained only a slip
Of paper carefully folded.
1.-THE lock Of the safe is one OF
Reale's Inventions; it opens to no key
save this" He shook the paper before
them, then lapsed into silence.
Well" broke in Bat impatiently.
why don't you open the safe? And
what has the girl to do with it?"
she also has a key, or will have
tomorrow. And Jimmy
A laugh interrupted him. "Curt
Goyle had been an attentive listener
till Jimmy's name vas mentioned, then
his harsh, mirthless laugh broke the
tense silence.
"Oh, Lord James is in it, is he? I'm
one that's for ruling Jimmy out" He
got up on his feet and stretched him
self, keepig his eye fixed on Connor.
IF you want to know why, I'll tell We.
Jimmy's a bit o flnicking for my
taste. too fond of the police for my
taste. II we're in this, Jimmy's out
OF IT. a mutter Of approval broke
from the men.
Connor's mind was working quickly.
He could do without Jimmy, he could
not dispense with the help of the
Lot" He was just a little afraid Of
Jimmy. The man was q type of GRIM
inaf he could not understand. II he
was a rival claimant for Reale's mil
lions. the gang would out Jimmy; so
uiuCu tHc UcttST. Massey remOVa
a limited the legatees to three.
Jimmy out of the way would narrow
the chance Of his losing the money still
further; n the other legatee was
In the room upstairs. Goyless declara-
ton had set loose the tongues Of the
men, and he could hear no voice that
spoke for Jimmy. And then a dozen
voices demanded the rest Of the story
and amid a dead silence Conner told
the story Of the will and the puzzle
verse, the solving Of which meant a
fortune to every man.
And the girl has got to stand In and
take her share. She's too dangerous to
be let loose. There's nigh on two mil
lions at stake and I'm taking no risks.
She shall remain here till the word is
round. We're not going to see her
carry the money of under our very
noses"
And JIMMY" Goyle asked.
Conner fingered a lapel of his coat
nervously. He knew what answer the
gang had already framed to the ques-
ton Goyle put. He knew he would be
asked to acQuiesce in the blacklist piece
Of treachery that had ever disfgured
his evil life; but he knew, too. that
Jimmy was hated by the men who
formed this TRANCE fraternity. Jimmy
worked alone; he shared neither risk
nor reward. His cold cynicism was
above their heads. They too feared
him.
Common cleared his throat.
Perhaps If we reasoned
Goyle and Bat exchanged swift
glances.
Ask him to ONE and talk it over
tonight" said Goyle carelessly.
"Connor Is a long time gone"
Sands turned his unhealthy face to
the company as he spoke.
Three hours had passed since Conner
had left the gang in search for Jimmy.
He'll be back soon." said Goyle con-
fidently. He looked over the assembly
of men. Amy of you fellers who don't
want to be in this business can 60"
Then he added significantly. Were
going to settle with Jimmy"
Nobody moved; no man shuddered at
the dreadful suggestion his words con-
veyed.
worth hanging fort" he said ~callously.
He walked to a tall, narrow cupboard
that ran up the side Of the fireplace
and pulled vpen the door. There was
room for a man to stand inside. The
scrutiny of the interior gave him some
satisfaction.
This Is where some one stood"-he
looked m~eaningly at Bat Sands-"when
he koshed Ike Steen-Ike with the DO
lice money In his pocket and ready to
sell every man jack Of you"
who's in the hex house?" a voice
asked suddenly.
Goyle laughed. He was the virtual
landlord so far as the hiring of the
house was concerned. He closed the
cupboard door.
mot counting old George, it's
empty" he said. "Listen!"
In the deep silence there came the
faint murmur of a voice through the
thin walls.
"Talkin' to himself" said Goyle with
a grin; hes daft, and he's as good
as a Waterman for is, for he scares
away the children and women who
would come prying about here. Hes"
They heard the front door shut quick
ly and the voices of two men in the
passage below.
Goyle sprang to his feet. an evil look
on his face.
That's Jimmy" he whispered hur-
riedly.
AS the feet sounded on the stairs he
walked to where his coat hung and
took something from his pocket, then,
almost as the newcomers entered the
room, he slipped into the cupboard and
drew the door close after him.
Jimmy, entering the room in Con-