The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-08-20
A KODAk'S
CLICK
BY DOROTHEA HALE

, he took views. Npw he would aim it at
a rowboat glidint past, now at one of
the elaborate bridges and now ar some
one of the pleasant landscape views
with which the park abounds.
Presently he sat down on one of the
benches that line the lake. A lady was
sitting at the other end, but he did not
notice her till che moved near to him
and said in low tone:
II am in need of f20."
He turned and saw a woman, fairly
well dressed and quite respectable in
man of the world and took in the situa-
ton at once, but he did not realize its
full Importance. The woman would
not be likely to ask for loan from
stranger unless she had some means Of
enforcing her demand. This occurred
to him. but the simplicity and the
strength of her scheme had not devel-
oped in his mind.
II am sorry not to be able to accom-
modate you. madam, but / haven't the
amount with me-"
you have a well filed pocketbook.
This know. saw you take 1t out In
shop on Oxford street when you
made purchase. l followed you here.
And know that you are an American
both by your accent and the hotel to
which you ordered goods sent, which is
frequented by your countrymen. And
you are a married man. because you
bought goods for women and for chill
dren. The case between us is perfectly
plain. give shrek and cry wildly
for policeman. / am found to be hot
with indignation and burst into tears.
The policeman asks what's the matter.
tell him that was sitting here. You
came and sat down beside me and in
suited me. He takes you to police
station. If you are, not able to find
bail at once you are locked up for the
night. In any event you will be exam
ined before n magistrate in the morn
ing. No one will know whether my
charge is true or false, but there are
plenty who will believe it true. / shall
statement, and you will undoubtedly
be discharged. Nevertheless your ar
rest will be cabled to America as an
item Of news"
The American sat listening to this
presentation of the case. not replying
for few minutes. He was making
up his mind what to do. Presently he
yaid:
what you say is every word of 1t
true. beg you to be careful what you
do. for am in dread lest you should
sound an alarm unnecessarily. When |
we Americans are cornered we pay up
like men. / will give you every penny |
In my pocketbook rather than be plac-
ed in the position you describe. But
one thing l fear. have noticed the
policeman there is watching us. Should
be see me give you my pocketbook he
might suspect the real reason for its
This would cause your ar
rest. and would be obliged to appear
against you. / would be smirched.
My pocketbook must go to you without
attracting the bobby's attention. /
propose this plant will open the pock-
etbook and show you that there is
E1o0 in 1t. Then will get up, go to
he margin Of the water. drop the
oocketbook and walk away. You can
20 and pick it up deftly that the police
nan may not take notice.
The woman's eyes flashed uneasily.
She was looking for trick NO."
she said presently, mot that, just as
you have proposed It Your purse
'ound on me would convict me. Drop
, roll of bills, then come back to this
,ench. I will go and get them and
walk away"
ANY way you like that insures your
afety, which is more mine than yours"
Taking five tenn ound notes from his
'ocketbook. he held them screened
rom any one except the woman, then,
Using, strolled leisurely to the margin &
f the lake and, while standing there
apparently looking out on to the water,
lropped them tightly rolled. After
Waiting a few minutes he went slowly
Jack to the bench and sat down. Not I
fastening, the woman arose and
lawdled idly to the spot where he had
ropped the money, put her foot on it,
ropped her handkerchief and picked ,
p the money and the handkerchief at
he same time.
She was startled by click.
Casting a quick glance at the Ameri- 9
an, she saw him sitting with his ko- :
ak on his lap. The kodak pointed :
oward her.
"Policer' he cried.
Bobby, who at that moment was
,oking elsewhere, turned and at the
.merican's beck came toward him.
THAT woman has ESQ blackmail that
be has levied on me. Arrest her and u
will accompany you to the police !
tation."
The. woman flashed a vindictive
lance at the American. In moment 4.
came upon her that she had been :
1twitted.
The next morning the case was tried. |,
he American was put on the stand !
nd told the story as it has been told g
ere. During the night he had develop L
1 the plate he had taken, showing v
lie woman picking up his bills, and
anded the photograph to the magis- q
ate The case was clear. The wo-
ian was identified as one who had n