The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1911-07-06
CHAPTER xx-(continued,

"a hilt WITH ii push VI MS IDot. / CIV
two ncn. but he did not recognize
them at once. BY and by his Eyes grew
accustomed To uhe dark. Instantly he
was on his feet, pressing the button
connecting the wall lights. There was
no possible exit save by that door, and
these two men stood between. To do
McQuade justice, he was not u physical
coward. His huge bulk n hardened
muscles gave him a ready courage. lie
forced Il smile to his lips. After all, he
had expected one or the other of them
sooner or later.
Well, gentlemen, L am highly hon
ored. What can | do for you" There
was a p%retense of ~amiability.
Fol the present." said Warrington.
you may sit down. We propose to do
So" He drew out n chair from under
the office table and placed 1t close to
the door. You sit there, John" For
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 q backlog
as ever graced a prison., said War
%fington.
iii nave TO take your word Tor it,
was the reply. But how is 1t that l
see you and Mr.. Bennington together?"
eviiiy.
We'll come to tina presently. L
had always given you credit for being
as astute as you We're undetermined
and treacherous."
Thanks" McQuade took a cigar
in his vest for a match.
But" Warrington added, Il am
panied to reverse my opinion. You are
a fool as well as a b~lacldeg."
How do o make that out?'
coolly.
DO you know where your man Bol!es
can be found?"
Bodies? All, l begin to see. What do
you want of hm?"
w want the esteemed honor of his
company at this reunion" dryly.
Bolles? McQuade smiled. He was
only too glad to accommodate them. IL
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.
"Bolles, IL you are not at my Of
flee inside of 10 minutes, IN break you
and YOU know what | mean McQuade
hung up the receiver. Hell be right
over. Now, what's all this mystery
about?"
TT regards some literary compost
tons OF yours to which l ave taken
exception
Compositions"
Yes. Two ~nonymo letters, But
before we discuss them Well wait for
II friend Bolles,"
McQuade signified that this was
agreeable to him. All the same, he
glanced %uneasily at the man near the
door. Bennington had not made the
slightest sound after taking his chair.
His arms were 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 inbalations were
not quickly made. as by a man whose
heart is beating with excitement: they
were slow and regular, it might be
said contemplative. John's 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 the coal. and re-
turned it to the corner of his mouth.
Ali! The three men heard steps In
the hall. The door to the outer Of
flce opened and banged. But the mar
who squeezed past Bennington was
not Bolles.
"Morrissy? 2" cried Warrington. Fine.
Have a chair, Mr.. Morrissy. have a
chair" Warrington was delighted.
Morrissy's glance, somewhat bewild-
cred. travelled from face to face. On
entering he had seen only McQuade's
tranquil visage. He sat down, disturbed
and mystifled.
whats this?" Morrissy demanded
to know.
Hanged If l know" said McQuade
These two gentlemen presented them.
selves a few moments ago and re
qucsted me to send for Bolles. Have
a cigar?"
Morrissy took the proffered weed, bu,
he did not light it. He turned it rount
and round in his teeth and chewed it
Well, so long as the boss did not seen
alarmed, the trouble could not be Sc
rious. Yet he was not overconfiden
Of B~ennington's lowering faes.
~haphazard.
Yes, but there's going to be a storm
tonight" Warrington resumed his pc
sition on the table.
Conversation died. al then Boile,
came In. At the sight of Benningto,
he recoiled.
Come in. come In said McQuade
mr.. Warrington will offer you
CHAIR f~acetiously.
Yes, Bolles. sit down
Well, gentlemen, here's a quorum,
and McQuade began to rock in hi
chair Three against two; that woul,
i do very we'll.
II will so at once at the matter ii
hand. Those letters. John. Warning
ton held out his hand. ''Ill read on
!. tc you, McQuade.'' He read slowly an,
/ distinctly.
What In blazes Is this?" said Nor
rissy.
.It's up to Mr.. Warrington to ex
plain McGuade grinned. That grin
!. however, nearly cost him his life.
|. John, remember your promise,
cried Warrington.
} John sat down, seized with a specie,
of vertigo,
.McQuade. you wrote that.
.sMe2 You're crazy"
! mot at all. Let me advise you. TIL.
next time you put Your hand to anony,
/ nous letters. examine the type of voul
: machine. There may be some bad let
I ter.
. 81 don't know what you're drivin,
, at" McQuade declared.
E ANAl