The Meeker herald., 1911-09-09

well away from the Italian that be
might not snatch the paper. read what
was written, ending with the word
"Nemo." vschi heard his doom in the
words and turned shastfy white. Hunt
waited for him to speak. keeping his
eyes riveted on him the while.
"How much do you ask for itT' i1nai-
" vechi asked.
any friend here" replied tho dctec-
tive. pointing to me-. ''is its owner. He
intends to give tia proceeds Of it, sale
to tho family Of the man to whom this
note was addressed and who was"-
vechi staggered. Hunt continued:
THE price u certain stocks and
bonds that passed to this man Memo.
II they are all returned the note will be
returned to the writer to do what he
likes with It and NO steps will BE- tax
en- in the case. If every security b
not given up Memo viii be arrested be-
fore he can leave bis shop"
vechi seemed to BE- thinking for 4
few momsnts, after which he asked:
"Tell me the amount"
We did not know the amount, but
had provided for this. t
you alone know the amount at
present, but since We know that this
property has passed Into tho possess
sion Of Memo We can at any time dis
cover the exact amount. II We dis
cover that he has withheld any Of II
We may reopen the case"
vechi stood wavering. Whether he
was heaItating - to the amount he
would return o. whether to defy us
don't know. Presently he said:
II will bay your autograph. gentle-
men, but have not the price here.
You must 90 with me to my house."
We went with him. ~ no Suggested.
I walking On oue side Of him, Hunt On
the other, Hunt and I each having q
hand on revolver concealed. When
We reached the house vechi took -
into q room, locked the door and said
What guarantee have I that you
will keep your wordr'
"None Whatever" said Hunt. "You
must rely on the promise of gentle
man"
Making q virtue Of necessity, he
opened q closet door. exposing q safe
Embedded In the wall. The safe being
painted like the wall, only its keyhole
was perceptible. introducing the key,
he opened the safe door and took out
a large bundle Of securities. looked
them over and knew the value Of most
Of them. Judged they were worth be.
tween $4,000 and 100000. They
were mostly coupon bonds, not the
same property that had been trans
ferred by Driscoll to vechi.
"Is this alp asked Hunt.
Everything" replied vechi. II have
no desire to leave anything amiss that
will reopen this matter"
perhaps my friend" said Hunt,
may wish to know the hold you had
| on Driscoll."
II have no such DESIRE" said. 'AThe
property 10 returned, and that 10 sum
Gent. The secret Of blackmail II told
might bring distress on an innocent
family. Goodby. Mr.. Memo. 30 far a.
this matter ID in my possession you
may consider 1t closed"
We went from the shop to the Dris-
coils. where Mrs. Driscoll answered
my card in person. said to her:
MADAM, have an important an
nouncement to make to you, and de-
sire that you call into the room your
sons and daughters to hear It."
Surprised. she complied with my re-
quest, and her children. mostly grown,
were summoned. When they were al
assembled told the story Of my pun.
chase Of the desk and the finding Of
the paper in the secret drawer. Then
entered upon Hunts investigations
(some Of them recognised him) and
lastly told Of our visit to vechi's shop.
1t was interesting to watch their fea-
tures. during my recital Of our inter
view with the biackmailef. they grow
ing moro and more intent till the DE-
livery Of the property. When the re-
cital was finished took the securities
from my pocket and handed them to
Mrs. Driscoll. saying:
There are securities aAording an
annual income Of 10000. In considera.
ton Of which We have taken the lib
erty OF giving indemnity against prose-
cution for blackmail and"-
shrank from speaking the dreadful
word murder.
Every member Of the family ap-
proved Of all had done and acknowl-
edged in every possible way their In
debtedness for the great favor I had
done them. Before left the house
every one Of ~ took an oath never to
reveal anything Of what had hap
pened.
Mrs.. Driscoll aftsrward informed me
that 70 far a. she could discover the
eoulvaIeDt Of All the securities her
husband had possessed was returned.
soms 5000 IN cash was unaccou1ted
for.