The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-02-10


hint Violet said, that it was some
thing outside the law.
The law has many outposts."
Peter Ruff said. One can thread
ones way in and out, if one knows the
ropes. don't like the man, but he
introduced me to his tailor. | have
never had any clothes like those he
has made me.
She sighed.
You are vain little person." she
said.
mani" he answered. Get back to
your work. Don't you hear the lift
stop?'
She rose reluctantly, and resumed
her place in front Of her desk.
III it's risky" she whispered. lean
ing round towards him, don't you
take it on. I've heard one or two
things about Sir Richard lately
Peter Ruff nodded. He. too, Quilted
his easy-chair, and took up bundle
OF papers which lay upon his desk.
There was a sharp tap at the door.
Come in! he said.
Sir Richard Dyson entered. He was
dressed quietly. but with the perfect,
taste which was obviously an instinct
with him, and he wore a big bunch of
violets in his buttonhole. Neverthe-
less the spring sunshine seemed to
find out the lines in his face. His
eyes we're baggy-he had aged even
within the last few months.
Well, Mr.. Ruff" he said, shaking
hands, "how goes it?
q am very well, Sir Richard"
reter Run answered. Please take a
chair
Sir Richard took the easy-chair, and
discovering box of cigarettes upon
the table, helped himself. Then his
eyes fell upon Miss Brown.
Cant do without your secretary"
he remarked.
"Impossible," Peter Ruiz answered.
AS Istold you before, am her guar
antee that what you say to me, or be-
fore her, is spoken as though to the
dead
Sir Richard nodded.
lust as WE'LL" he remarked, for I
am going to talk about a man who
wish were dead.
There are few OF u.s." Peter Ruff
said, who have not our enemies"
Have you any experience OF black
mailers?" Sir Richard asked.
In my profession" Peter Ruff an
swered, have come across such
persons"
have come to see you about one,"
Sir Richard proceeded. Many years
ago. there was a fellow in my regi-
ment who went to the bad-never
mind his name. He passes to-day as
Ted Jones-that name will do as we'll
as another. / am not" Sir Richard
continued, a good-natured man, but
some devilish impulse prompted me
to help that fellow. / gave him money
three or four times. Somehow, don't
think it's very good thing to give
man money. He doesn't value tit
comes too easily. He spends 1t and
wants more"
There's a good deal OF truth in
what you say, Sir Richard" Peter
Ruff admitted.
Our friend, for instance. wanted
more" Sir Richard continued. He
came to me for it almost as a matter
Of course. refused. He came again
lost my temper and punched his
head. Then his little game began"
Peter Ruff nodded.
He had something to work upon,
i suppose?" he remarked.
Most certainly he had" Sir Richard
admitted. II ever achieved sufi-
cient distinction in any branch of life
to make It necessary that my bio
graphy should be written, promise
you that you would find 1t in many
places a little highly colored. In
other words, Mr.. Ruff, have not al
ways adhered to the paths of right
! eousness."
A faint smile fiickered across Peter
| Rufus face.
Sir Richard" he said, your can
! dor is admirable.
/ There was one time" Sir Richard
! continued, when l was really on m.
| last legs. 1t was just before / cam,
| into the baronetcy I had borrowed
/ every penny could borrow. | wa
even hard put to 1t for meal. wen
/ TO Paris, and I called myself by an
other mans name. / got introduces
to a somewhat exclusive club there
NV assumed name was good one
it was the name. in fact, OF relativ
whom l somewhat resembled wa
accepted without question. I playe
cards. and I lost somewhere abou
eighteen thousand francs.
/, a sum" Peter Run remarked
e which you probably found 1t incon