Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-27
anything. the sight stimulated all the


obstinacy in him, enhancing his 10y
atty and determination in proportion
to the bribe. But 1t would not do to
affect unconcern; it would be bad
policy to convey the impression that
he could talk If he would. Excited In
nocence was the part that he ought to
play-eager, covetous, astounded in
nocence. ~ " ,.
"Twenty-four thousand dollars!" he
exclaimed. would you really give
me that for recognizing man? Just
for looking at his picture, and saying:
That's Waiter Jones, or William Riley?
Why, bless you, I'd do it for quarter
of that-for a single one!" He
picked up one Of the greenbacks as
he spoke, and smoothed it out loving
~ on his knee. Even that would be
enormous" he said. people aren't
paid for that kind of thing"
"They will be in this instance re-
turned Mr.. Kay. I'VE are DESTROYS OF
fnding-er-Walter Jones, and are
willing to go to considerable lengths
for any information regarding MIN,
and his present. whereabouts. That
money there, Mr.. Broughton, Is but the
half OF what I'm authorized to offer
you. Think it over bit. Mr.. Brougn-
ton. Fifty thousand dollars for Ave
minutes of-sincer1ty." He shot the
last word at Matt with a snap. Matt
was an irritating obstacle to a wolf IN
a hurry, to an elderly, tired wolf VINO
had already wasted so much OF MIS-
time-valuable woif-time-on Mrs. Sat
tane's front porch. -
my dear man." observed Matt, why
not make it fifty millions while you are
about It? haven't the faintest notion
whom your picture represents-not the
slightest, believe me. wouldn't know
him from Adam, If he came IN this
minute"
as that your last word?" ..
TITS all I know, if that's what you
mean"
ooh, come. come; what's the use Of
denying you could tell II you wanted
to. I'm not child to be hoodwinked.
There isn't visit of yours to Sydney
or San Francisco that we haven't
traced. You were no trader-you were
in the employ of-well-that individ-
ual we are seeking. You have to ad-
init it-and once admitted We nave
basis for negotiations
Matt pulled at his pipe, and finally
remarked that 1t was all Greek to him.
"The ship was Tembinok's," he went
on, "old Tembinok's, the king of Ape
mama, you know, and he sent me on
in her originally to buy rifles at some
thing like a white price. But I was
honest with him, and made her pay
carrying coprah, she'll and that-and
so he kept me on till lost her this
winter" '.'.' $500
Mr.. Kay gathered up his notes and
returned them to his wallet.
'Think it over" he said. Fifty
thousand dollars Is lot to lose. Per-
haps It may occur to you that you're
acting rather precipitately, for, after
all, mans first duty is to himself,
and you scarcely seem to be 1n-er-
very affluent circumstances. If you
should care to place a small flag IN
your Window tie, for that. matter,
or any bright bit of color-we shall
accent IT, as a sign that you have-er
changed your. mind. Don't forget
that. will you? Itais quite conceivable
that the sum might be increased If we
were assured Of your active coopera-
ton, but It would be superfluous to
70 into that at this stage. Just ut
tie flag in your window, and within
six hours shall be promptly at your
services" ..,
Matt burst out laughing. "Is that
your usual method Of communication
he asked. But why not a skyrocket
while you are about it, or blue light,
and masks OF course-and pass
word. I'll say Walter, and you an
swer Jones, or perhaps single mys-
FERROUS word like gurgle. Gurgle's
rather good-how do you like gurgle"
The others face darkened at this
derision. When he spoke 1t was with
perceptible humiliation and embarrass-
ment. 'I'm only an agent" he MUIR
INJURED. Such theatres are none or
nv making, though in this AFFAIR they
seem unavoidable. Laugh all you like,
Mr.. Broughton; a man who has thrown
away a fortune for whim Is entitled
to. though some day when you're older
and learn how hard q world this Is,
It may seem considerably less humor-
GUS. Good night he continued, hold
ing out his hand Permit me to
APOLOGIZE for my persistence, and to
thank you for your good nature under
the infliction. You will let me hear
from you, will you not? And remem-
Der IlAL Tie dLlOuuL might NC AAA"SoA
tally increased. Good night, good
night" ..
Matt accompanied him down the
stairs and to the front door, where,
with renewed grasp Of the hand and
another cordial farewell, the stranger
walked brisl1ly away. 1t almost look
ed as though an automobile had been
awaiting him, for second later there
was a clash OF gears, a flood Of blind
ing light, and a magnificent Limousine
swept headlong into the night.
Matt turned Indoors again, eager for
his delayed supper, and in a state Of
extreme perplexity and exhilaration.
1t was not everybody who would have
refused fifty thousand dollars. The
fact that he had done SO put him in a
glow of self-esteem. Though why had
It. been offered?-good God, why? And
who was John Mort, and what could
they possibly want of him? How
strange it all was, how insoluable!
And strangest Of all that he, Matt, the
obscurest of mortals, should be caught
up in anything that could conceivably