The Huttig news., 1910-12-17

bis unwelcome companion. Alca. trante would cling to him like all Old Man of the Sea. awaiting the op- portunity to get the better of him. l Every vile would be employed but | publicity was no part of the game Orme began really to believe that.
 To shake off 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 Got 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. T want to see Mir. Bixby." he said. offering his card
 The young woman behind the win. dow took the card. but at the same time she said: MT Bixby left few minutes ago. He won't be back to- day. Shall I keep the card for him 2"
 It doesn't matter, thank you" he said. turning away. Luck was against nim Besides Bixby no one in the of. 1 ice knew him
 Mr. Bixby is absent be remarked shall we leave the verihcation of the notes until tomorrow"
 What are you talking about?" ex- claimed Orme.
 Why" Alcatrante's face was the picture of astonishment-"the Wallipg- ham company notes. of course. The notes(you wish to sell me- His voice was raised so that the girl behind the window could not help hearing.
 Rot" said Orme
 "What?" A note of indignation crept | into AlcatTante's voice. Are you evading? Perhaps you thought would not insist on the verification" An other clerk. man. had joined the girl behind the window. Aleatrante sud ienly addressed him. This Mir Orme old me that he needed to raise money and would transfer to me cheap some l notes signed by your company. met him at the hotel He said that, if would come here with him. he would show the notes and have them veri- fled don't understand"
 The clerk left the window, and, opening a door. came into the recep- ton room. What are the notes you have?a he asked.
 "I have none," replied Orme. in dis gust "I have never pretended to have any. This man is crazy. think" He | pointed to Alcatrante. "He has foi- owed me here uninvited for reasons of his own I asked for Mir. Bixby, whom know would have asked for MT. 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 notes?"
 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 slight bow, Orme went into the hall. It dawned upon him why Al catrante had invented so remarkable story Without question, the min ister had feared that Orme would en- list aid in the office. 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.
 Tn 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 cab and ride out of the city-all the way to Arradale. if possible. The dis tance could not be much greater than IS miles If 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 destina- ton and at the end turn him over a prisoner?
 The idea was hardly practicable. He U