The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-07-06
CHAPTER xx-(continued)

accustomed 10 the dark. instantly ne
| 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
Mc(Quade justice, he was not q physical
| coward. His huge bulk and hardened
muscles gave him a ready courage. He
forced smile to his lips. After all, he
had expected one or the other of them
sooner or later.
We'll, gentlemen, am highly hon.
| ored. What can do for you" There
was pretense Of amiability.
For the present." said Warrington.
you may sit down. We propose to do
co." He drew out a 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 tho
table.
McQuade did not hesitate, but re-
particularly lucid, however.
"McQuade. you're as fine a blackleg
as ever graced prison." said War
'ington.
I'll have to take your word for IT,"
was the reply. But how Is 1t that
see you and Mr.. Bennington together?"
evilly.
Wen come to that presently. 1
had always given you credit for being
as astute as you were underhanded
and treacherous"
Thanks" McQuade took a cigar
from his pocket and fumbled around
IN his vest for match.
But" Warrington added. IT am
panied to reverse my opinion. You are
fool as well as a blackleg"
How do you make that out?"
coolly.
do you know where your man Bolles
can be found?"
Bodies? Ali, l begin to see. What do
you want Of hm?"
company at this reunion" dryly.
Bolles? 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
evidently some reluctance on the part
IF Bolles.
Bodies, If you are not at my Of
Ice inside of 10 minutes. I'll break you
and you know what / mean" McQuade
hung up the receiver. He'll be right
over. Now, what's all this mystery
about?"
tions OF yours to which I have taken
exception"
Compositions?
Eyes. Two anonymous letters. But
before we discuss them we'll wait for
our friend Bolles."
McQuade signifed 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 limitations These limitations were
not quickly made, as by man whose
heart is beating with excitement; they
were slow and regular, 1t might be
said contemplative. Johns gaze never
left the end of that cigar.
The lights in the tall building op-
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.
All! The three men heard steps In
the hall. The, door to the outer Of
Ace 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.
Morrissy's glance. somewhat bewild-
cred, Travelled from face Ito face. On
entering he had seen only McQuade's
tranquil visage. He sat down. disturbed
and mystifed.
whats 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 1t round
and round in his teeth and chewed It.
Well, so long az the boss did not seem
alarmed, the trouble could not be Sc
rious. Yet he was not overconfident
Of Benningtons lowering face.
haphazard.
Yes. but there's going to be storm
tonight" Warrington resumed his po-
sition on the table.
Conversation died. And then Bolles
came In. At the sight Of Bennington
he recoiled.
Come in. come in" said McQuade,
MT. WdTTiHSton Will OHeT you q
chair" facetiously
Yes, Bolles. sit down."
well, gentlemen, here's quorum"
and McQuade began to rock in his
chair. Three against two; that would
do very well.
IT will go at once at the matter in
hand. Those letters, John" Warning
ton held out his hand. It'll read one
to you. McQuade." He read slowly and
What in blazes is this?" said Nor
rissy.
TITS up to Mr.. Warrington to ex-
plain" McQuade grinned. That grin.
however, nearly cost him his life.
John, remember your promise"
cried Warrington.
John sat down. seized with species !
Of vertigo.
"McQuade, you wrote that"
'Me? You're. crazy
mot at all. Let me advise you. The !
next time you put your hand to anony- /
nous letters. examine the type of your ,
There may be some bad let ,
ter" !
1T don't know what you're driving
at" McQuade declared.
II see that / must read this. then, |
TO convince YOU" Warrington stood !
up, his back toward Bennington. He
lnfolded the carbon sheet and began I
TO read.