, 1910-06-09

the things. You must give me tim
to make a settlement. | need at least
a month"
bennington shook his head. There
was a hard, uncompromising look in
his face as he replied caustically:
They're coming for the things TO.
morrow. I thought 1t fair tn let YOU
know. I can do no more
Underwood stopped short.
Tomorrow" he echoed family
Yes" said Bennington grimly. You
might as well understand the situation
thoroughly. The games up. The firm
has been watching you for some time.
When you tried to sell these things to
old Defries for o%ne-quarter their real
value he instantly recognized where
they came from. He telephoued
straight to our place. You've been
shadowed by detectives ever since.
There's a man outside watching this
place now"
My Cod" exclaimed Underwood.
why are they bounding me like
this?"
Approaching Bennington quickly. he
graspeu HIS manu-.
bennington" he said earnestly,
you and I've always been on tine
square. Can't you tell them it's all
right? Can't you get them to give me
tIme?"
Before the manager could reply the
telephone bell rang sharply. Under
wood started. An expression of fear
came over his face. Perhaps the firm
had already sworn out a warrant for
his arrest. He picked up the receiver
' TO answer the call.
What name is that?" he demanded
over the telephone. The name was re-
peated and with a gesture of relief he
exclaimed:
Howard Jeffries!-what on earth
does he want? can't see him. Tell
him I'm"
Bennington took his hat and turned
to go:
Well, I must be OF"
Don't CO." exclaimed Underwood,
as he hung up the receiver mechan-
ically. It's only that Internal ass
Howard Jeffries!"
Il must" said the manager. AS he
went toward the door he made a close
scrutiny of the walls as If searching
for something that was not there.
Stopping short, he said:
Il don't e the Velasquez."
"No-no." stammered Underwood
~nervously. It's out-ou on proba-
ton. Oh, it's all right. l car account
for everything"
Mr.. Bennington continued his in
spection.
81 don't see the Gobelin tapestry"
he said laconically.
"Oh. that's all right, too, If they'll
only give M time" he cried desper-
ately. Good God, you don't know
what 1t means to me, Bennington! The
position I've made for myself will be
swept away and"
Mr.. Bennington remained distant
and unsympathetic and Underwood
threw himself into a chair with a ges-
ture of disgust.
Sometimes l don't think I care
what happens" he exclaimed. Things
haven't been going my way lately. I
don't care a hang whether school
Keeps or not. II they drive me to the
wall I'll do something desperate
BILL"
A ring at the front door bell inter
1rupted him.
Who a that be?" he exclaimed,
startled. He looked closely at his
companion, as II trying to read in his
PACE II he were deceiving him.
Probably your friend of the tele-
nhnnn" cr0oncfna nannfp.tNn
Underwood opened the door and
Howard entered jauntily.
Hello, f~ellers, how goes it," was
bis ocular greeting.
He was plainly under the influence
pr liquor. When he left home that
evening he had sworn to Annie that
be would not touch a drop, but by the
time he reached the Astruria his cour-
age failed him. He rather feared IN
derwood, and he felt the need of q
Btimulant to brace him up for the
strike" he was about to make. The
back door of q saloon was convenient
y open and while he wal refreshing
himself two other men he knew
dropped in. Before he knew 1t, half
, dozen drinks had been absorbed,
and he had spent the whole of IS
which his wife had intrusted to him
put Of her carefully boarded savings.
When he sobered up he would real
Ice that he had acted like a coward
hnd a cur. but Just now he was feel
Ing rather jolly. Addressing Under
wood with impudent familiarity, he
went on:
The ID how didn't seem IN know
you were in or not, SO I came up
anyhow" CHANGING at Bennington,
ne added: Sorry, II I'm butting In"
Underwood raj not in the humor
o be very gracious. Long ago young
howard Jeffries had outgrown his use
uihess as far as he vas concerned.
ne was at a loss to guess why he had
rOme to see him unlimited. on this