The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-05-05

deal table Common had set his whisky
down whilst he peered through the
streets.
England for work and Egypt for
pleasure" he muttered; "and IL 1 get
my share Of the honey and 1t will be
a bigger share than my friend Sped
ding imagines, It's little this cursed
country will see of Mr.. Patrick Con-
nor"
He drained of his whisky at a gulp,
rubbed the steam from the windows
and locke down into the deserted
street. Two men We're walking toward
the house. One. we'll covered by a
heavy macintosh cloak, moved with q
long stride: h other. wrapped in a
quickening his steps to keep up with
his more energetic companion.
SPEEDING" said Connor, land old
George. What is he bringing him here
for?"
He hurried downstairs to let them in.
"Well?" asked SPEEDING, throwing
his reekfng coat off.
"AlPs ready" answered Conner.
Why have you brought the old MANI
swered carelessly.
II the truth be told, SPEEDING still
hoped that the old man would re-
member. That day old George had
been exceedingly garrulous. almost
lucidly so at times. Mr.. SPEEDING still
held on to the faint hope hat the old
mans revelations would obviate the
necessity for employing the Borough
lot" and what was more important,
Tor sharing the contents of the safe
with them.
AS to this latter part of the program,
MT. SPEEDING had plans which would
have %astonished Connor had he but
known.
But old Georges loquacity stopped
short at the a~ll-important point of
1nstructing the lawyer on the question
OF the c~ryptogram. He had brought
him along in the hope that at the
eleventh hour the old man would re-
veal his identity.
Unconscious of the responsibility
that lay upon his foolish head. the old
man sat in the upstairs room COM
muning with himself.
I'VE will leave him here" said the
lawyer. he will be SAFE
q enough. l know him of old.
He'll sit here for hours amusing him
self" ~
And now. what about the men?"
asked the lawyer. Where do we meet
Them"
shall pick them up at the corner
OF Lombard street, and they'll follow
4 AK W IIlS 6dle uoDOSlQ,.
"Ah!"
They turned swiftly on old George.
who with his chin raised and with
face alert was staring at them.
Safe deposit, Lombard street." he
mumbled. And a most excellent plan.
too-a most excellent plan"
The two men held their breath.
And quite an ingenious idea, sir.
Did you say Lombard street-a an e ~,
he muttered. "A safe with a
that's the question. l am a man of
honor. you may trust me-" He made
presence. why not conceal your words
thus?"
Old George stabbed the ain of his
hand with a grimy forefnger.
Why not? Have you read INV
book? It is only a little book, but
useful. sir. remarkably useful. The
rawlings and the signs are most ac-
British museum assisted me in Its
preparation. 1t is called-tt is called
-" He passed his hand YEARLY over
his head, inc slid down into his chair
again. a miserable old man muttering
foolishly.
Speeding wiped the perspiration
from his forehead.
4>SdiiS, AeailJ! ne SAID huskily.
Conner looked at him with suspicion.
What's all this about the book?" he
demanded. This is the second time
old George a spoken like this. It's
to do with old Reale. isn't it?"
SPEEDING nodded.
Come. said Conner. looking at his
watch. its time we were moving,
Wen leave the old man to look after
the house. Here. George"
Old George looked up.
You'll stay here and O leave till
we return. Dye hear?"
Il hear. MI. Conner, SIR said old
George. with his curious assumption
OF dignity, land hearing. obey
AS the two men turned into the
night the rain pelted down and a Rusty
northwesterly wind blew into their
faces.
George" said Conner, answering a
question, "oh, we've had him for years
One Of the boys found him wandering
about Limehouse with hardly any
clothes to his back, and brought him
to us. That was before I knew the
Borough Lott but they used him as a
blind. He was worth the money it
cost to keep him in food"
SPEEDING kept the other waiting
whilst he dispatched a long telegram
from h Westbourne Grove postofice.
1t was addressed to the master Of the
Polecat lying at Cardiff, and was rea-
sonably unintelligible to the clerk.
They found a handsom at the corner
Of Queens road, and drove to the bank;
here they alighted and crossed to the
Royal Exchange. Some men in uni
form %overcoats who were standing
about exchanged glances with Conner,
and rs the two leaders doubled back
to Lombard street. followed them at a
distance.
1.-The guard left at 4 O'clock" said
Speeding, fitting the key Of the heavy
outer door. He waited a few minute
in the inky black darkness OF the vesti-
bule whilst Como admitted the six
uniformed men who had followed them.
Are we all here?" said Conner in
q low voice. BAT? Here! Goyle?
Here! Lamby? Here!
n by one he called them by their
names n they answered.
We may as well nave q light" said
SPEEDING, and felt for the switch.
The CLEAN Of the electric lamps
showed SPEEDING as pure a collection
Of s%coundrels as ever disgraced the