The Raymer enterprise., 1911-03-16


and / must refuse, sir-unqualifiedly!"
Il rather thought you would" re.
Joined. But I'm going to ask you to
do something else. and that Is. don't
honor any cheque bearing any of those
numbers unless you are perfectly sure
that It is presented In the course OF
legitimate business.
Quite impossible, my dear sir.
assure you," was the emphatic an
swer. THE cheques Of Mr.. Dallas we
shall be glad to honor for any amount
always provided. Of course. that they
are genuine"
We'll. be sure they are genuine" I
retorted as l turned to the door, and
with this parting shot left Mr.. Ander-
ton. so far honors are even." l
thought. "One success. one failure.
Now for the jackal himself" Calling
a hanson to the curb. gave the ad-
dress in Lombard street which the
embassy had given as being the latest
lair Of Col Biddle. found the Office
easily enough-a suite Of three rooms
comfortably furnished. There was in
the air an aroma Of rich tobacco.
Col. Bidder" l inquired Of the Of
fee boy. who responded by nonchalant-
ly motioning with thumb over shoul-
der. and laconic:
les In there" So l stepped
through the middle room to the last
Of the series, literally following my
nose. The colonel himself, in the act
of strapping bulky portmanteau. rose
to his full height and faced me, rath.
er suspiciously.
Col. Biddle. presume?"
That's my name, SIR" was the
prompt answer. What can | do for
you?" He made no motion to sit down
himself. nor did he offer me a chair.
Instead: 81 must ask you to be brief,
as | am leaving town right off, and my
time Is limited" AS he spoke he
turned and took from the top of his
desk lighted cigar from which the
smoke had been rising In blue spirals,
and restored 1t to one corner OF his
mouth. could have sworn 1t was
La Madria!"
Il wished to consult you about some
mines In the States concerning which
! am told you are an expert authority,
Col. Biddle," said, dropping into a
chair. thus compelling the adversary
to do likewise.
My friends say | do know some.
thing about the subject" admitted the
colonel modestly. whats your prop
osition-gold. silver or copper"
The latter-Montana." | answered
laconically.
Are you buyer or seller?" inquired
Biddle.
Buyer" was the prompt reply
That Is. II everything is straight and
the price is not too high. AS to which
| had hoped to be guided by your ad.
vice"
I'D be delighted to 60 into the prop.
osition with you." said the colonel. at
some time" his suspicious apparently
allayed. do you smoke? Yes? Try
one of mine." handing out cigar the
exact mate of the four then reposing
in my case!"
Cant you give me an early appoint.
ment?" ! queried.
Not an hour to spare before next
week" responded the colonel I've
Just got back from little-er-
yachting trip; and I've got to make up
for lost time!" There seemed to be
more humor in this remark than the
words warranted, and the colonel
threw back his head laughing hearth
ly, showing set Of teeth with Pc
culiarly square edges, displaying
gaping cavity in the left upper jaw
caused by the loss Of two molars.
Into this cavity, his merriment over.
Col. Biddle carefully restored his
cigar. ! had seen all l wanted. Shall
we say this day week. them" l in
quired nonchalantly, as ] rose.
AT your SERVICE" bowed the colo.
rel. | reached the street in fer.
ment, The strange cigar-stub found
in Dallas room bore the imprint of
exactly such teeth as were possessed
by Col. Biddle. The dual proof Of the
brand Of cigars and the teeth.marks
were conclusive! Biddle and none
other had been in Dandy Dallas cham.
ber on the night OF the millionaire's
disappearance! But what to do with
the information now that | had it was
the burning query. | could not have
the man arrested on mere suspicion.
However, much ! might suspect,
could prove nothing-not even the
fact that Dallas was absent other than
by his own free will. But could and
would have him shadowed. Clearly 1t
was time to take some one into con.
fdence. so | drove to the Yeomanry
club, where hoped to find Sir George
kensett. Meantime Col. Biddle pro
ceeded to catch the boat-train for
Southampton and Paris to wait for
things to blow over" The great coup
had been carefully planned and clever.
ly carried out. With Dallas cheque
deposited In the coloners bank. the
transfer Of the 100000 followed.
Recalling Dragoo and Stoner, and pay.
Ing them of, left the colonel with free
hands. and he rightly reckoned that
Dallas would nocket tho losa praca.