The searchlight., 1912-04-19

| were EtlllHs Ttdus 10 SpTOut- wen,
they sprouted this morning. that's all.
| knew | wanted to ride In the hills
with you just about thirty million
times more than I wanted to go to the
| office. And I knew all the time It
was impossible. And why? Because
OF the Office. The Office wouldn't let
me. And then ] made up my mind
that | was to the dividing of the ways.
One way led TO the Office. The other
way led to Berkeley. And | took the
Berkeley road I'm never going TO
set foot In the Office again. That's all
gone. finished. over and done with,
and I'm letting II slide clean to smash
and then some. I'm wiping the slate
clean. I'm letting II all go smash.
When them thirty million dollars
stood up to my face and said couldn't
go out with you in the hills today.
knew the time had come for me to put
my foot down. And I'm putting II
down. I've got you, and my strength
to work for you. and that little ranch
In Sonoma. That's all | want and
that's all I'm going to save out. along
with Bob and Wolf, a suit case and
hundred and forty hair brides. All
the rest goes. and good riddance. It's
that much Junk"
A knock at the door INTERRUPTED
him. and he was left to stare delight
edly at the Crouched Venus and on
around the room at Dede's dainty pos.
sessions. while she answered the tele.
phone.
1T is Mr.. Hogan" she said. on re-
turning. He is holding the line. He
says II is important"
Daylight shook his head and smiled
Please tell Mr.. Hogan to hang up.
I'm done with the office and I don't
want to hear anything about any.
thing"
A minute later she was back again.
He refuses TO hang up. He told
me to tell you that Unwin is In the
office now, waiting to see you. and
Harrison, too. Mr.. Hogan said that
Grimshaw and Hodgkins are I'm trouble
That it looks as II they are going to
break. And he said something about
protection"
II was startling Information. Both
Unwin and Harrison represented big
banking corporations, and Daylight
knew that II the house of Grimshaw
and Hodgkins went It would precipi.
tate a number Of failures and start n
furry Of serious dimensions. But Day
light smiled, and shook his head.
He caught her by the hand and drew
her to him
You let Hogan hang on to that line
till he's tired. We can't be wasting
second on him on day like this"
| But | know something of the fight
you have been making" Dede con-
tended. IF you stop now. all the work
you have done. everything. will be de.
stroyed. You have no right to do it.
You can't do IT,"
Daylight was obdurate. He shook
his head and smiled tantalizingly.
Nothing will be destroyed. Dede.
nothing. You don't understand this
business game. It's done on paper.
All stand for is paper. I've got the
paper for thousands OF acres of land
All right. Burn up the paper. and
burn me along with II. The land re-
mains. don't It? Nothing is going to
be lost-not one pile out of the docks
not one railroad spike, not one ounce
of steam out of the gauge OF a ferry,
boat. The cars will go on running
whether hold the paper or somebody
else holds II"
BY this time Hogan had arrived In
an automobile. The honk OF II came
In through the open window. and they
saw II stop alongside the big red ma
chine. In the car were Unwin and
Harrison. while Jones sat with the
chauffeur.
IN see Hogan" Daylight told Dede
There's no need for the rest. They
can wait In the machine"
rs he drunk?" Hogan whispered to
Dede at the door.
She shook her head and showed him
in.
Good morning. Larry" was Day
lights greeting ''Sit down and res,
your feet. You sure seem to be In q
fiutter.''
Il am" the little Irishman snapped
back. "Grimshaw and Hodgkins are
going to smash IL something isn't
done quick. Why didn't you come to
the Office? What are you going to dc
about it,"
Nothing" Daylight drawled lazily
Except let them smash. guess. I've
had no dealings with Grimshaw and
Hodgkins. I don't owe them anything
Besides. I'm going to smash myself
Look here. Larry. you know me- You
know when | make up my mind
mean It. Well, I've sure made up my
mind. I'm tired of the whole game
I'm letting so Of 1t as fast as I can
and smash is the quickest way to lei
go. All you've got to do Is to protec,
yourself and all our friends Now YOU
listen to me while tell you what te
do. Everything Is In good shape Il
do It. Nobody must get hurt. Every
body that stood by me must come