The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-07-23
The VENDER OF
CUR|OSIT|ES
Why Mr.. Dealy Paid a Huge
Sum For a Manuscript.

1
them at our own terms. But to whom
am / indebted for this visit? ! don't
know that / ever saw you before"
Call me Damon. / don't care to be
known just now. especially In this
transaction. If the police should get
hold of the matter they might make
trouble for me.
IF could find certain man, con-
tinued Damon, Il could sell it to him
for every cent he has In the world"
Verder said nothing for time. He
appeared to be puzzled by the singular
statement Damon was watching him
closely. why do you come here?'
said yerder at last.
II have thought you might find the
man for me-"
There was another pause, at the end
of which Verder said:
II could tell better about that II l
knew his name"
ut is Dealy."
verder turned from the piercing
! glance the other brought to bear upon
him. went to desk and began to look
| over his cashbook.
.sYou don't seem to know him."
'No, don't You must excuse me-"
Would you not like TO see the bit
of paper refer to-" asked Damon.
at would not interest me-"
''Not even to know where 1t was
found?"
The curio merchant seemed not TO
hear the question. Damon proceeded:
II had visit the other day from
dealer in secondhand furniture. He
told me that he had bought desk that
had belonged TO an old man who was
found one morning some years ago
dead In his bed. Had 1t not been for
some blue marks on his throat-there
were three right hand finger marks.
the third finger missing-his death
would have been attributed TO heart
disease. As it was ii was believed that
he was murdered. When his estate
was settled, instead of finding 100000
In government bonds which the de-
ceased had informed his family he had
put away for a certain use. none was
found Well, as / see that ! am bor-
Ing you I viii condense what | have
to say. The furniture dealer who
bought the desk was putting 1t in order
when he came upon secret drawer In
which was letter That's the letter
came here TO SELL,
Meanwhile the curio dealer had
ceased to add figures and was listening
breathlessly. When the speaker had
finished he turned his face TO fire.
place fitted with a colonial mantel,
brass andirons and fender. He placed
his hands on the mantel, bowed his
head and groaned The third finger on
his right hand was missing.
Presently he turned.
what do you want for your-your
curio?" he asked.
You wouldn't buy it without seeing
it, would your
II? / wouldn't buy it. but know a
man who"
Just so. thought you would know
somebody who would take an interest
In the matter. But I think 1t would
sharpen your faculties to see the letter
or at least hear 1t read | will read it
to you" And. taking paper from his !
pocket, he read aloud:
must have the rest of the bonds before !
the close of the month IL not you will
not live to complete the year IDEALLY.
1.-THE name Is made up" continued
Damon. looking up at his victim. |
That's plain It's the word 'deal-a |
pretty villainous deal, / should say. /
However, for that matter. the deal I'm /
after may not be very reputable How |
much would your friend pay for the
letter. =
''Name the price," said verder.
"The missing bonds"
IF you will come in tomorrow ! will I
tell you what have done"
II must know today"
well. remain here. will be back
within half an hour"
IF you need to send messenger,
call one, but I'm timid man and
wouldn't like to be left so long alone"
What guarantee has this Dealy-
that he will not be prosecuted?"
"Ah. Now we are getting to some
thing that interests you. Look at this
He drew from his pocket paper,
which he handed to verder. verder
read 1t and put it in his own pocket.
1t was an naturalization.
Now you're acting Ike sensible
man. But ! want to explain TO you
that the estate of the man who was
bled of his bonds turned out shell.
and his family are impoverished. That's
why Mr.. Dealy escapes the gallows.
SeeY
Verder took up an old bayonet. Da-
mon drew a revolver. but he had no
occasion TO use it. Verder used the
bayonet to raise some brick and NOR
tar on the hearth of the fireplace and
took out a package. which he handed
to Damon. Damon unrolled it and
counted 500 thousand dollar United
States bonds
81 thought we'd make deal. Mr..
Dealy Good morning. I'm sure You
have sense enough to keep mum, and
I assure you the rest of us have You
see, this cheating the gallows is dan
gerous work when found out"
And. turning, the detective left the
shop.
Northampton is leading the pennant