The Washington times., 1912-09-10
CHAPTER XIV.
Mr.. Kilner Proceeds.

HlH, nau considered all the
points of the problem which his patch
eyed visitor put to him with a celerity
that would have amazed that unfor-
tunate youth II he had only been able
to see into the depths of the corpulent
landlords mind.
He had had no previous notion of
the existence of the diamonds, for Mr..
Claye was one of those wise people
who never talk about their own busi-
ness needlessly; but when he did hear
OF them, and that they were in his
visitors possession, he Immediately
confessed to himself that he would
much rather go into partnership with
Mr.. Claye in them than with Mr.. Bax-
endale.
He had known Mr.. Claye for some
years, and had already had various
business dealings with him. or young
Mr.. Baxendale he knew absolutely
nothing beyond what that Ingenious
person had told him, and he was not
impressed by him in any way except
he looked. -
Mr.. Kilner's notions of a partner
were OF man shrewd enough to keep
himself safe-not of a youth who
booby-trap set for him. Moreover, at
that particular period Mr.. Kilner was
hand in glove with Mr.. Claye in more
ways than one.
enabled Mr.. Kilner to purchase the
good will of the late Phelin Hanrahan's 8
business; Mr.. Kilner, moreover. did a
little little quiet bookmaking in which Mr..
Claye was also Interested; and as Mr.
Kiiner invariably found in all these
transactions that Mr. Claye was gen.
eerous and open-handed. he was scarcely
likely to throw him over for a partner
whose only bait was a promissory share
in diamond necklace which was in Mr..
Claye's safekeeping.
And SO Mr.. Kilner judged it his best
policy. to keep young Mr.. Baxendale in
shop, for he was sufficient Judge, of
character to read malice In human
countenance when 1t was plainly writ
ten there, and he knew that il the
got away he would certainly go to the
police and bring a swarm of them
about the house.
Mr. Kilner was by no means easy
with the whisky, the siphon, the cigars.
and the newspaper. He got rid of his
barman on a good excuse that sent that
individual to the other side of Dublin
Tor the rest of the day, and he settled
himself in the front bar as sort Of
watchdog.
He was horribly afraid that since
young Baxendale was in collusion with
on him and been aware that he had
entered his shop. and 1t would have oc-
casioned him no surprise II he had re-
ceived visit from some individual who
would turn out to be a detective.
As the afternoon wore on and nothing
but the ordinary customer turned UP, he
grew less anxious, but he was very
pleased and much relieved when Mr..
Claye walked in about twilight.
There was no one at the bar at the
time, and Mr.. Kilner followed his friend
through the sanctum- to the little pri-
vate sitting room In which he had held
earlier in the day.
When he closed the door and looked
around at his guest, Mr.. C1aye knew
that something had happened. ,
afraid you'll have to clear. They're on
your track.
Mr.. Claye started.
What makes you say that. Joe?" he
asked. Anybody been here?'
i've got a chap locked up in a very
private room upstairs at the back of
the house" observed Mr., Kilner, who
would bring a swarm of ,em here II he
could only get loose. BaXendale."
Mr.. Claye started again at the name
of his late partner.
"Baxendale!" he said. How came
he here?"
workman's clothes, with a patch over
his eye. That was him as you passed
in the bar as you went out
"Hip?" exclaimed Mr.. Glaye. Who'd
made him up, wonder?"
"Ah," said Mr.. Kilner. Hes better
made up than you are, Jim, after all
Davidson made him up. You didn't t
know him. but he knew you. Look
here"
Mr.. Kilner made so bold as to take
Mr.. Claye's right hand in his own and
to lift it up to its owners gaze. He
pointed to the finger, which had lost its
first joint and to the tattooed mark
near oT MS r, %rlse he said Saf
Marks like them tell. you know; they
really do"
IT guess you're right" answered Mr..
Claye. well. what did he say or do?'
Mr.. Kilner gave a brief, concise ac-
count of what had transpired between
himself and the young man upstairs
not forgetting to mention that young
Mr. Baxendale had been generous
share in the hypothetical fortune OF
5000 pounds.
"But I wasn't going to give you
away, Jim," concluded Mr.. Kilner. Il
alawys prefer an old pal to new 'un.
And so / just made the youngster sate
until you came back"
'Whats to be done?" said Mr.. Claye.
''If he gets out OF here We'l nave the
police down on us in no time. And we
can't keep him here-he'd kick up a
row. 1 knew the Driscoll woman had
started the game. passed her and
davidson Just now in Griffin street,
walking and talking together, She had
a good stare at me. too. Didn't know
me from Adam"
"It was your hand as done 1t with
Baxendale, Jim," said Mr.. Kilner. THE
rest of you is perfection"
"Well," said Mr.. Claye for the second
time, whats to be dOne?"
The two men looked at each other
narrowly. For some moments neither
OF them spoke. At last Mr.. Kilner broke
the silence.
Are they worth all that, JimT' he
said with great significance.
every penny of it," answered Mr..
Claye with equal emphasis.
"Then they're worth running bit OF
risk for?" said Mr.. Kilner. Have you
got 'em on you, Jim, II one may ask?"
Mr.. Claye felt that this question was
equivalent to a declaration of intending
partnership on the part of Mr.. kllner.
and he replied to 1t somewhat testify:
I've got 'em on me, joe" he said,
slapping the region of his liver lightly
in indication of the fact that the treas
ure was slowed in his belt, and you
shall have your share. of 'em If all goes
right. But what about this chap up
stairs? What's to be done with him? %
ITS his life or your liberty, Jim,'
said Mr.. Kilner in low voice. IF he
gets out of this he'll go straight to
Davidson. If you were to get away
.,oursalf he'd eventually put them on