Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-03-21
FEES happv with one : wifeY'

Of the Waterman, who probably would
have understood the process Of refor-
nation in any one but Bill Avery.
But q few minutes elapsed after VAL
entine answered the telephone call he.
fore the door opened. and In came a
man whose iron gray hair curled be-
meath the rim of his high silk hat.
Glaringly bright yellow kid gloves
adorned his hands. His frock coat. Of
the latest make. was a bit worn on
the edges. aud II was for that reason
that the secondhand dealer had made
a reduction In price to MIR. Cronin
The newcomer laid handsome gold
headed Indian bamboo walking stick
across chair. took OF bis gloves and
faced Valentine and Red.
MIR. Randall?" he said.
Eyes. Mr.. Cronin.''
"Cronin be bowed" cried Red. start
ing forward. Its Bill Avery. How
about you. old pal?"
Avery. pleased at the enthusiastic
welcome and at the sight Of both Of
bis old friends. shook hands With
each. Then be drew back and looked
from one to the other Think of "a
three bein' left alone together like this
In real bank" he said significantly.
and his two hearers could not restrain
laughter at the thought of what the
circumstances would have meant to
them in days now put behind them.
Did you get the picture?" asked
Avery of Valentine. You told me to
send 1t. hut l wanted to see you. That
double negative is wonder"
Valentine looked understandingly at
him. He rose from his chair. picked
up the telegram from his desk and
extended it to Avery.
"Yes: it's all right" he said. "And
It came just in time. Today is the
day I'll need IT," pointing to the tele-
gram. "Read that!'
Avery read the message. The pal
Tor of unnerving fear came upon him,
His head dropped forward and he
glanced apprehensively about him.
His hand trembled as he laid the pa
per on the desk. He sank hopelessly
into a chair. Doyle" the old man
choked-"Doyle! He said he'd slough
me, and now he'll do it-or else he'll
make me pay blackmail. You never
can tell how much a copper wants for
keepin' quiet"
"Oh. don't get blue" encouraged
Valentine. HE doesn't want you fel-
lows. It's me that he is after" He
examined a large photograph which
Avery had sent him. It showed the
tables and guests at a large banquet
in luxnriously appointed restaurant.
"Yes. think this saves me-" he re-
marked. He held 1t before Red. ask
ing. whats this?"
"Flashlight of banquet
"Wbo is this on the right Of the
toastmaster?" pointing at a face in
the picture.
YOU"
pipe the date" went on the assist
ant cashier. "lHeb. 8. 1906. Do you
remember where l was on that date?'
He gazed curiously at Red. Avery
watched the proceeding with rare In
terest.
The Waterman became thoughtful.
At last puzzled wrinkle marked bis
forehead. "Why-why-yOu- were-in
Sing Observation-Disclosures"
he replied confuSedly.
Valentine and Avery laughed In their
superior knowledge.
mo. no." protested Valentine. ":his
photograph proves was at ban
quet in St. Paul. III beat Doyle and
I'll make him like 1t.
you can't" was Avery's pessimis.
tic comment.
You said we couldn't go square.
any Of us. and we all have" was VAL
entine's rejoinder. And If we can
beat the thing inside Of us that calls
we can beat one man that hunts"
! A clerk knocked at the door and en-
tered to ascertain If he should now
bring in a trayful Of cash which Val
entine was to count. HeSwas ordered
to do so at once. and Avery's face be-
came a study as the young man soon
re-entered with tray on which new
banknotes Of large denominations were
piled among glistersing rows Of gold
coin.
"Great snakes. what chance" ex-
claimed the one time thief. looking
from Valentine to the Waterman.
''This is no place for me. oh. just for
one grab and the quick getaway
He nlopped his wrinkled brow. I'm
sweating like a polar bear on the
Fourth Of July"
Haven't got 1t out of your blood
vet. eh?" asked Valentine.
mot the craving for real money.
learned to let the wheat in the grain
elevator alone after a month or two.
but coarse money like that-wow!'
The old man stared fascinatedly at
the enticing tray.
| "Well. we watched each other for
awhile" commented Red. pointing to
his chief.
"And amt neither Of you ever
snatched even one bundle" asked
Avery incredulously.
"No."
swell, you better get me out OF
here. I'm going to have lockjaw IN
both hands in minute" He reached
| for his hat and stick.
mo. you're not" put in Valentine.
Come on. Red" he said. walking to
the vault room door. I'm going to
prove to Bill that he's honest. Hes
going to watch that money till we
come back
Avery cried out in protest. but Ked'
followed his superior. and the time
| worn thief. who had confessed to bis
friends the weakness that ne well