Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1911-07-13
CHAPTER xX-lcontinuedl

CHAPTER NN-(Continued)
AS no one answered, he sent his chair
around with a push of his foot. He saw
two men. but he did not recognize
them at once. BY and by his eyes grew
accustomed TO the dark. Instantly he
was on his feet, pressing the button
connecting the wall lights. There was
no possible exit a by hat door, and
these two men stood between. To do
justice, he was not a physical
coward. His huge bulk and hardened
muscles gave him q ready courage. He
forced a smile to his lips. After all. he
mad expected one or the other of them
sooner or later.
Well, gentlemen, l am highly nom
ored. What can | do for you" There
was a pretense OF amiability.
For the present" said Warrington.
you may sit down. We propose to do
So He drew out a chair from under
the office table and placed it close to
the door. You sit there, John" Flo
himself, he sat on the corner of the
table.
McQuade did not hesitate, but re-
seated himself. His thoughts were not
particularly lucid. however.
"McQuade. you're as fine a blackleg
as ever graced a prison." said War
rington.
I'll have to take your word for it,"
was the reply. But how is it that l
see you and Mr.. Bennington together?"
evilly.
We'll come to that presently. 1
had always given you credit for being
as astute as you We're u~nderhanded
and treacherous."
Thanks" McQuade took a cigar
from his pocket and fumbled around
IN his vest for a match.
But" Warrington added. II am
panied to reverse my opinion. You are
a fool as we'll as a %blackleg."
How do you make that OUT"
coolly.
ID you know where your mar Bolles
can be found?"
Bodies? All, l begin to sec. What do
you want of hm?'
wv want the esteemed honor of his
company at this reunion" dryly.
Bodies? McQuade smiled. He was
only too glad to accommodate them. If
they wanted Bolles they should have
him. Bolles would cut them in two.
He reached for the telephone and be-
gan to call up the familiar haunts of
his henchman. He located him at
length in Martins saloon. There was
evidently some reluctance on the part
of Bolles.
Bodies. If you are not at my Of
flee inside of 10 minutes. I'll break you
and you know what l mean" McQuade
hung up the receiver. Hell be right
VIVA. " nc . IA llAlS wy
abOut?'
1T regards some literary compost
tions of yours to which l ave taken
exception
"Compositions?"
yes. Two letters. But
before we discuss them We'll wait for
our friend Bolles.'
McQuade signified that this was
agreeable to him. All the same, he
glanced uneasily at the man near the
dnnr TQnnptp,cfIy, had .,0% ~1n1@ %lL~
slightest sound after taking his chair.
His arms We're folded across his breast,
which rose and fell with deep intakes.
His face, in the shadow, was no more
%readable than that of the miniature
sphinx paperweight that rested on Nc
Quade's desk. But Bolles was coming.
So they waited. The end of McQuade's
cigar waxed and waned according to
his inhalations. These limitations were
not quickly made, as by a man whose
heart is beating with excitement; they
were slow n regular, it might be
said contemplative. Johns gaze never
left the end Of that cigar.
The lights in the tall building OPP
posite began to twinkle from window
to window. Warrington slipped off the
table and pulled down the curtains.
McQuade knocked the ashes from his
cigar. contemplated h coal. and re-
turned 1t to the corner of his mouth.
An! The three men heard steps in
the hall. The door to the outer Of
flee opened and banged. But the man
who squeezed past Bennington was
not Bolles.
"Morrissy?" cried Warrington. Zine!
Have a chair, Mr.. Morrissy, have a
chair" Warrington was delighted.
Morrfssy's glance. somewhat bewild-
cred, travelled from face to face. On
entering he had seen only McQuade's
tranquil visage. He sat down, disturbed
n mystiaed.
What's this?' Morrissy demanded
to know.
Hanged II I know" said McQuade.
These two gentlemen presented them
selves a few moments ago and re-
Quested me to send for Bolles. Have
a cigar?"
Morrissy took the proffered weed. but
he did not light it. He turned It round
and round In his teeth and chewed it.
Well, so long as the boss did not seem
alarmed. The trouble could not be Sc
ious. Yet he was not o~verconfident
Of B~ennington's lowering face.
Been a fine day. said Morrissy, at
h~aphazard.
Yes. but there's going to be a storm
tonight" Warrington resumed his DO
sition on the table.
Conversation died. And then Bodies
came in. At the sight of Bennington
he recoiled.
Come in. come in." said McQuade.
"Mr. Warrington will offer you a
chair" facetiously.
Yes. Bolles. sit down"
We'll, gentlemen. here's a quorum"
and McQuadc .began to rock in his
chair. Three against two; that would