Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1911-03-10

Nblu YOU Sel. IIe litlulcf asheu
Avery of Valentine You told me to
send it. but | wanted 70 see you. That
double negative is Il wonder
Valentine looked undprStapdingly 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. To-day is the
day I'll need it" pointing to the tele-
gram. Read that"
Avery read the message. The pal
lor of unnerving fear came upon him.
His head dropped forward and he
glanced apprehpnSively about him
His hand trembled aS he laid the pa
per on the desk. He sank hopeieSSly
into Il 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 IL 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 large photograph which
Avery had sent him. 1t showed the
tables and guests AT large banquel
in luxuriouSly appointed restaurant.
Yes. think this saves me-" he re-
marked lie held it before Red. ask,
ing. whats this?"
;rrI,% ~ H.
"Who is this on the right of the
toastmaster:" pointing at face in
the picture.
you"
"Pipe the date" went on the assist
ant cashier. FEB. .. 1906. DO you
remember where was on that dateT'
He gazed curiouSly at Red. Avery
watched the proceeding with rare In
terest.
The Waterman became thoughtful.
At last a puzzled wrinkle marked his
forehead. why why -you- wer@-in
Sing S,ng-priSon-on-tha t-date."
he replied confusrdly.
Valentine and Avery laughed In their
superior knowledge,
mo. no." protested Valentine. this
photograph proves was at a ban
quet in ST. Paul. I'll beat Doyle and
III make him like it"
"You can't" was Avery's pesSilnis.
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 trayful of cash which Val
entine was to count. He was 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 glistening rows OF gold
coin.
"Great snakes. what a 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 mopped his wrinkled brow. I'm
sweating like a polar bear on the
Fourth of July"
Haven't got it out Of your blood
yet, eh?' asked Valentine.
mot the craving for real money.
learned to let the wheat in the grain
elevator alone after 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.
mo"
"Well. you better get me out OF
here. I'm going to have lockjaw In
both hands in a 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. He's
going to watch that money till we
come back
Avery cried out in protest, but Red
followed his superior. and the time
worn thief. who had confessed to his
friends the weakness that he well
knew yet lurked within him. was left
alone in the banking office before
tray containing $G3.0 900 in cash. With
i'm reach was the door leading into the
open hallway through which it was
but q few seconds dash to the busy
street, where man would immediate
" be lost to view in the passing
throng.
Its a dirty trick" muttered the old
man, starting after the others. shaft
of yellow light reflected from one OF
the golden coins caught his eye, drove
into his very brain, into the thin red
blood that coursed through his hard
ening veins. He stopped. He turned
full around and slowly. with hands
eagerly outstretched, tiptoed back to
the table bearing the precious burden.
His brows narrowed down over his
pale gray eyes. his fingers. long talons
in their curved fxedness. began to
nervously twitch. Then Avery jerked
himself away of sudden. He straight
ened himself up and started toward the
vault room door to summon Valentine.