The Washington herald., 1911-05-07

has, and have them sent up on the next boat
as he suggested. III pay the bill and re-
port tomorrow or next day. Goodnight
Mr.. kitridge motoned to his driver to start,
and Red proud of having done his duty
trudged hcmcward light of heart
Meanwhile a strange thing had happened.
Mr., Rnnycn was lawyer, but he was in
terested in several businesses about the city,
and as ona of them was a dairy, he made
practice Of buying hogs and fattening them
on the refuse Of the market.
HIS friend. Mr.. ktridge. was buyer, too,
and made frequent trips through the coun-
try, buying stock Of all kinds, and through
him Mr.. Runyon made his purchases
This one and others he expected to make
soon were Of especial Importance to him, be-
cause the price Of hogs in the market was
gong up. and there was every reason to think
that it would advance still more in few
When Mr.. Runyon left the house, he went
back to his office, where he found a man
waiting, who detained him for two hours. He
had given up finding Tom, and had concluded
to deliver the money himself
Being very busy, he took light lunch at
a restaurant and went back to his work at
the office, intending to take Main street
car at half.past nine and go to Mr.. Kit
Promptly at half-past nine, Mr.. Runyon
went to his safe, where he had deposited the
envelope OF bill when he had taken it FROM
his pocket. took it out to put in his pocket
asaih, When u occurred 10 MN 10 peep WITH
Then there was revelation to Mr. Run
yon The envelope contained strips of news
paper, cut the size of bank-bills He had
given Red the envelope containing the
money.
Perhaps i will be better not to state just
what Mr.. Runyon said when he made tbel
unpleasant discovery. What he did was tc
slam the door of the safe, turn the knob,
put out the gas, lock the office door, rush
down, stairs cab he STANDING
in front OF the big hotel on the next block
and order the cabman to drive to his house
as fast as bis horse could go.
lie hardly knew what he did with the en-
veiope, with the paper. strips in it. In fact,
he had put It insecureiy in his pocket again.
At the gate he leaped from the cab before
it ta had stopped and ran to the door 1t was
locked; ID lie vas just about to run around
the note pinned to the door. He lit match,
stoopeed and read:
s,eps' snear Mamma: The key is under ?!s6 the
stupidity beyond measure!' Mr.. Runyon
exclaimed. in rage; What blunder will
that boy make next"
Then he got down on his hands and knees
and felt under the steps. lie lit matches and
key was not there.
Just as he arose nearly purple with rage
ms WE, Maud and Tom came in the gate.
What's the matter. papa" Tom asked
-nuttSI ii You DpSn mere IL
wouldn't have happened Has either of you
a key
NO. said Mrs. Runyon. 81 told Ed to
remain amh Is home S,t and I'd keep the house open
replied, eScitcdly He has left a note bin.
ned on the door, saving he has left the key
under the steps Did you ever hear of such
stupidity? And after that tie Key is not
under the steps That five hundred that Kit
1t, and want il quickly Come with me
Tom
Mr.. Runyon disappeared around the cor
neT IvSd OF thr house followed by his son.
Runyon helped Tom through the transom,
much to the damage of his clothing.
moment later Tom had opened the door.
and Mr. Runy9n had rushed through the
house to the library. where he lit the gas,
jerked opea the bottom drawer Of the seere
tary and searched hurriedly through it.
Not hnd'ng the money. he rushed into the
sitting room and looked on the table by which
Red had been reading.
Gone, Gone!' he said.
what gone! asked his wife, whom Tom
had let IN through the front door.
And Mr. Runyon told the whole story,
Iar omI.'ms pl hhe deception he had attempted to
he had left bogus package with the boy.
wonder where he is now?' Mr.. Runyon
said; in conclusion. of some place borrow.
ing books, | suppose. There's no telling what
some burglar has seen the note on the door
and robbed the house in broad daylight.
! lou q better see i any of your silver is gone,
Maggie. Here. Tom, go take this quarter
to the cabman and dismiss him.
1t was nearly three quarters of an hour later
that Red came strollng in, humming Sing
a Song of Sixpcnce"
Here You are at last. SIR" said Mr. Run.
yon, who was trying to compose himself with
the evening paper. And where have YOU
been! Are you wholly satisfied with YOUR
days work. How did you get the brilliant
dea ol pinning that note on the door? What
have YOU done with the money / left with
You! Answer me that"
Not all those quest ions at once. papa But