Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1911-02-24
Tnard bring his liability down Il

Because they won't give up without
a contest in the courts. They deny
your proofs-you have those papers,
haven't your"
Safe. under lock and key" asserted
Maitland, sententiously. when the
time comes I'll produce them"
"And they incriminate Graeme?"
"They make 1t look as black for him
as for the others. Do you honestly be-
lieve him innocent, Bannerman?"
Il do, implicitly. The dread Of ex-
posure, the fear of notoriety when the
case comes up in court, has aged the
man ten years. He begged me with
tears in his eyes to induce you to drop
it and accept his offer of restitution.
Don't you think you could do 1t, Dan ?"
mo. l don't" Maitland shook his
head with decision. IF let up, the
scoundrels get off scot free. l have
nothing against Graeme; l am willing
to make it as light as l can for him;
but this business has got to be aired
in the courts; the guilty will have to
suffer. 1t will be lesson to the pub
lie. lesson to the scamps, and les
son to Graeme-not to lend his name
too freely to questionable enterprises"
And that's your final word, is it?"
Final, Zimmerman. e. You go
ahead prepare your case and take it
to court. When the time comes, as
say, I'll produce these papers, can't
go on this way, letting people that I'm
an easy mark just because l was un-
| fortunate enough to inherit more
money than is good for my whole
some"
Maitland twisted his eyebrows in dep
recation of Bannermans attitude;
signified the irrevocability of his de-
cision by bringing his fist down upon
the table-but not heavily enough to
disturb the other diners; and, laugh
ing, changed the subject.
For some moments he gossiped
cheerfully of his new power boat,
Bannerman attending to the inconse-
quent details with an air of abstrac-
ton. Once or twice he appeared
about to interrupt. but changed his
mind; but because his features were
SO wholly infantile and open and can
did, the time came when Maitland
could no longer ignore his evident
perturbation.
Nov what's the trouble?" he de.
manded with a trace of asperity.
Cant you forget that Graeme busi-
ness and"
"Oh, it's not that" Bannerman dis.
missed the troubles of Mr.. Graeme
with an airy wave of pudgy hand.
That's not my funeral, nor yours.
Only I've been worried, of late,
by your utterly careless habits"
Maitland looked his CONSERVATION.
In heavens name, what now?" And
grinned as he joined hands before him
in simulated petition. please don't
read me lecture just now, dear boy
If you've got something dreadful on
your chest wait till another day, when
I'm more in the humor to be found
fault with"
mo lecture" Bannerman laughed
nervously. 1--we merely been wonder.
ing what you have done with the Matt.
land heirlooms."
What? Oh, those things? They're
safe enough-in the safe out at Green.
fields"
ITO be sure! Quite SOL" agreed the
lawyer, with ironic heartiness. "Oh,
quite" And proceeded to take all
Madison square into his confidence,
addressing it from the window. Here's
young man, sole proprietor of a
priceless collection of family heir
looms--diamonds rubies, sapphires ga.
lore; and he thinks they're safe
enough in safe at his country resi-
dence, so miles from anywhere! What
simple, trustful soul it isl"
"Why should l bother?" argued
Maitland, sulllily TITS a good, strong
safe, and-and there are plenty of
servants around" he concluded,
largely.
Precisely. Likewise plenty of bur-
glars. You don't suppose a determined
criminal like Anisty, for instance,
would bother himself about handful
OF thick-headed servants, do you?"
"Anisty?"-with a rising infection
Of inquiry.
Bapnerman squared himself to face
his host, elbows on table. you don't
mean to say you've not heard of Anis-
ty, the great Anisty?" he demanded.
II dare say have" Maitland con-
ceded, unperturbed. Name rings ia
miliar, somehow"
"Anisty -deliberately-"is said to
be the greatest jewel thief the world
has ever known. He has the police of
America and Europe by the ears to
catch him. They have been hot on his
trail for the past three years, and
would have nabbed him dozen times
II only he'd had the grace to stay In
one place long enough. The man who
made. off with the Bracegirdle dia-
/ H. Ii. "A