The Delta independent., 1910-11-11

lOuSly large, Dut ne Insists on OHerlnS
one thousand dollars"
Quite a sum-" said Orme calmly.
He was interested in the minister's in
directions.
"As for the events of last night
continued Alcatrante. stopping short.
with a significant glance.
"Well?" said Orme indifferently.
II trust that you did not think me
absurd for sending that detective to
you. That did so was a result of
poor Poritors frantic insistence."
"Indeed?"
my young friend was so afraid that
you would be robbed"
II was robbed" laughed Orme. try
ing to make light Of the situation.
why. how was that?" Alcatrante 8
surprise was we'll assumed.
l. "Oh, after I said goodnight to you,
the two japanese caught me while
was going through the tunnel to the
courtyard"
my dear Mr. Orme!"
They are clever. those Japanese"
And afterward you went out
again?"
What makes you think that?"
Alcatrante bit his lip. Why" he
stammered, 1.-The detective reported
that you were absent when he ar
rived"
And therefore" remarked Orme
coolly. "he got access to my apartment
and. after rummaging through my
things. went sound asleep in my bed
ROOM where found him snoring when
I returned"
The minister swung his cane vicious
ly at bit of paper that lay on lie side
walk
"He was not clever detective" con
tinued Orme. And as for Porto
don't you think he had better offer hi
reward to the Japanese?"
NO" replied Alcatrante The,
may have stolen the cue from you. bu'
nave reason to think that the papers
were already gone when they went to
look for them. Poritol is really very
anxious"
Doubtless" added Orme.
Perhaps" added Alcatrante. after a
short wait, he might even go as high
as two thousand"
Indeed? Then there will surely be
many answers to his advertisement"
"Oh, he will not advertise" Alca-
trante laughed Already he knows
where the papers are. While waiting
for the clue of the bill. he discovered
what others had already availed them
selves of It,"
That is curious Orme smiled.
How did he discover that?"
I'm a roundabout way. won't take
time for the story"
They walked along in silence for q
little distance. Orme was figuring ON
his arm was like that Of a drowning
mans. Finally he sought the simplest
means Of getting away. II have an en-
gagement." he said. 'T shall have to
leave you. here. Thank you for walk
ing with mo thus far" He disengaged
his arm.
my dear Mr.. Orme." said Ara
trante. why should we beat around
aWhy. indeed r. said Orms.
"Por1tol knows that his papers are
In your possession. Speaking for him.
! offer you i've thousand"
why do you drag Poritol into this?''
said Orme. "You know that he has
merely besn your agent from the start
You think he has bunSied. bot tsii
you. you are the one who bunsisd. for
you picked him to do the work. He
had bad luck hiring . burglar for you.
He lost his head when he ran away
with another persons motor car and
- a.
try Justice. He showed bad Judgment
when he tried to FOOL me with fancy
lie. But you are the real bungler.
Senior Alcatrants. Any capable dip
lomat could tell you that"
Alcatrante's yellow face grew white
about the lips. His eyes flashed bale
fully.
Curse you!" he exclaimed. You
know more than is good for you. Take
care!"
Orme laughed in disgust. "Oh. drop
this nielodrama. am not afraid Of
cheap Machiaevallis. In this country
there are some crimes that are not
excused by high ONCE"
The minister's teeth showed. You
shall see, my young friend"
Doubtless But let me tell you one
thing; II anything happens to me, my
friends will know where to look for
the criminal"
AIcs trante snarled. Don't be too
sure"
"If necessary" continued Orme. "a
word to certain persons as to the COM
mission for building warships-five
hundred thousand, Is 1t not? by the
new arrAngement-fn gold"
Alcatrante. in ungovernable rage.
raised hts light cane and struck. Orme
Tended tho blow with his arm. then
wrenched the cane away and threw