Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-09-17

NJ 6cAus OAcI4u6 LID CdAO
The young woman behind the win
dow took the card. but at the same
time she said: Mr. Bixby left few
minutes ago He wont be back TO-
day. Shall keep the card for hint"
1T doesn't matter. thank you," he
said. turning away. Luck was against
him. Besides Bixby no ono in the of.
Gee knew him.
Alcatrante smiled genially. "Since
Mr.. Bixby Il absent" he remarked,
shall we leave tho vsrincation Of the
notes until tomorrow"
what are you talking about?" sx-
claimed Orme.
'Why-" Alcatrante's face was tho
picture OF stonishment-"the walling-
ham company notes. OF course. The
notes you Wish to sell me-" His voice
was raised 50 that the girl behind the
window could not help hearing.
Rot" said Orme.
"What?" A note Of indignation crept
into Alcatrante's voice. Are you
evading? Perhaps you thought would
not insist on the veFihcation-" An
other clerk. a man. had Joined the girl
behind the window. Alcatrante sud-
denly addressed him. This Mr.. Orme
N,.d me that he needed to raise money
and would transfer to me cheap some
votes signed BY your company. Imet
aim at the hotel He said that, II
would come here with him, he would
show the notes and have them veri-
ned. don't understand"
The clerk left che window, and,
opening q door. into the recep-
ton room. ~ are the notes you
have!' he asked.
II have none," replied Orme. in dis
gust 7 have never pretended to have
any. This man is crazy, think" He
pointed to Alcatrante. "He has fol-
lowed me here unlimited for reasons Of
his own. asked for Mr.. Bixby. whom
/ know would have asked for Mr..
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
cay that you did not introduce your
SELF to me in the lobby Of the Framing
ton and ask me to buy the notes7"
Orme did not answer.
With . conservative eye the clerk
looked at the two. He was not one to
involve himself in Q dubious AFFAIR.
II can't settle this matter for you.
gentlemen" he said.
With . slight bow, orme went into
tho hall. It dawned upon him why AL.
4at1ante had invented so remarkable
. story. Without question, the min
lster 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.
In 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
a cab and ride out OF the city-all the
way to Arradale. II possible. The dis
lance could not be much greater than
Is miles. II Alcatrants chose to pur-
sue. well and good. There would be
ways of disposing Of him.
Then an audacious notion flashed
into Orme's mind. Why not let Alca-
tyante ride with him? Why not take
The minister all the way to his destina-
don and at the end turn him over .
prisoner?
The idea was hardly practicable. He
might meet other enemies. and in that
event he would lot care to have an
enemy already at his side. 1t came to
him for the first time that the nearer
10 approached his goal, the greater
would be the opposition he would have
70 overcome. Whatever else the South
Americans and Japanese might do.
they would have their guards about
the house Of the girls father. Hith.
erto he had assumed that, once free
of Alcatrante and safe ON the train to
Arradale, he would have plain going.
but now he realized that the dangers
would pile up higher as he advanced.
In any event, he must get rid Of Al.
eatrante, and as they approached the
elevator grills. he spoke.
"Senor," he said. unless you stop
following me. shall be obliged to hurt
you. give you fair warning"
Alcatrante laughed. IF you hurt
ma, ~ you threaten, you will find your
self in diniculties. You will be arrest
cd. and you will have no opportunity
SC deliver the dncnmenta on time. Ny
position a minister-my extra-terri.
eoriality-will make It very difacult for
you to extrioate yeurssH."
Orme looked grimly down into the
sallow face. my INST against your
chin" he said, might do It"
Alcatrante did not lose his smile.
~You will hardly try that, think.
There would ~ no time for you to get
away. People In these passing slsva-
tors would 80 you"
Orme turned away and pressed the
r-aswn" button, and q few seconds
Ater . dssosaaing car stopped. He
Dushsd hts way In. Alcatrants altar
him.
Nc elevator was crowded. CLERKS
ana stsnographsrs wese bsgianiaG -
lssve their ofloes. for the hour ,was
Aeafly I've. Orme weagsl His W. b
iat ono side. and. in order TO gain =
uomentary sense Of sechs!on, turnek
~ beak ulsa tAs 1ssoas Who vsrs
=