The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1911-03-22
Documents.

been stronger" The japanese smiled
family.
But" continued Alcatrante, with a
slight grimace, the activity of your
men made that impossible. l have nc
lieutenants such as yours" He shot
an ugly CLEAN at Poritol, whose sud.
den assumption of fearsome humility
was in strange contrast to his usual
self-assurance.
LAS We hold the documents'-the
Japanese spoke with great distinctness
you will necessarily admit our ad,
vantage. That means. you will un.
derstand. a smaller commission on the
next contract"
Alcatrante twisted his face into the
semblance of smile. Not too small.
or We cannot undertake the work." he
said.
NO. not too small" the stranger
agreed calmly. but smaller than the
last. You must not forget that there
arc others who would gladly do the
same work.
Yes. but at best they cannot get the
terms We get"
Possibly. That is matter still to
be determined. Meantime We have as
sumed that our interests in this docu-
ment are identical. Let US test it."
"One word first" said Alcatrante.
Il take it that, if our interests are
sympathetic with yours. We may count
on your protection"
Most assuredly.
Then"
Then We shall see. My fairness is
clear in that give you a sight Of the
document with myself. I might have
denied all knowledge of ii"
Alcatrante smiled as if to say: Il
already knew SO much that you could
not risk that"
The stranger turned to Arima and
said something in Japanese. Arima
replied. and the stranger explained to
Alcatrante: Il asked about my man
Maku. The American struck him on
the head last night and injured him.
But he is recovering. He is trouble
some-that American"
Orme started. His head bumped
against the table
What's that" exclaimed Poritol.
advancing. There's something under
that table," He stopped to lift the
cover.
One chance flashed into Orme's
mind. Quickly he seized the cat.
which was still sleeping against his
knee. and pushed it under the table
cover. 1t walked out into the room.
mewing plaintively.
a cat" said Poritol. drawing back
Arima explained in English: 1T be-
longs to lady upstairs. Comes down
fire escape. Shoe! Shoo!" He clapped
his hands and the animal bounded to
the window-sill and disappeared up the
iron steps.
And now" began the stranger,
shall We examine the documents?"
'One moment said Alcatrante. Il
should first like clear understanding
with you-some words in private" He
moved to a corner. and there the
stranger joined him. They talked in
an undertone for several minutes. Al
catrante gesturing volubly. the stran-
ger nodding now and then. and inter
jecting a few brief words.
What was going on was more than
ever mystery to Orme. The
strangers reference to the next con-
tract" strengthened the surmise that
the documents in the envelope were
connected with South American
trade concession. Alcatrante had
plainly concluded that his interests
and those of the Japanese were identi-
cal. He must have communicated
with the strange japanese the first
thing in the morning. That would &C
count for his failure 10 call at the Pere
Marquette at ten o'clock. Learning
that the bill had been taken from
Orme. and that the coveted documents
were in the possession of the japanese.
he had no object in keeping his ap
pointment. AS for PcritOl. he had be-
come a figure Of minor importance.
But Orme did not let these questions
long engage him. for he had made a
discovery. Where his head bumped
against the table. the board above him
solid. as he had supposed-rattled
strangely. At the moment he could
not investigate. but as soon as the cat