The Wrangell sentinel., 1912-08-29
THE VENDER OF
 CURIOSITiES
Why MT. DeaIy Paid a Huge Sum For a Manuscript.

Good morning, Mr Nerder: How Is the curio business tc layE
 Fairly good. Can do anything for your
 Since you deal in old manuscripts. 1 have thought might sell you one
 "Um. The prices NC gel for manu- scripts are so poor that il hardly pays Us to buy them. even when we get them at our own terms But To whom am indebted for this visit: don't know that ever s:,w you before.
 Call me Damon don't care 10 he known just ROW. especially ill this transaction If the police should gci hold of the matter they might make trouble for me.
 If could find certain man." coli .iuued Damon, "l could sell it to him for every cent he has ill the world" Verdcr said nothing for q time He appeared to be puzzled by tlie singular statement Damon was watching hin closely Why do you come here:' said Nrrdpr Ut lost. "I have thought you might find the man fer me-
 There was another pause. at the end of which Ncrder said
 ''I cculd tell better about that If knew his name"
 Tt k pcaly."
 Verder turned from the piercing glance the other brought To bear upon him. wenr 10 Il desk and began to look over his c;IshlruOk "Yon don't seem to know him.
 No. don't You must excuse me"
 Would you not like to see the bit of paper 1 refer to-" asked Damon
 "lt would not interest me
 Not even 10 know where it Wa. found:"
 The curio merchant seemed not 10 hear the question. Damon proceeded: II had Il visit the other day from q dealer In secondhand furniture iir told p:.e that lie Had bought q desk that had belonged to all o,d n!Hu who Ta% found one morning some yPars ag" dead in his bgd Had il not hr"n fnl some blue marks on his thruat-thcre were li1!Ct IISlti UFtIlNl ilits-tt i'ittl it'0' the third finger miSSing-lliS death would have hcen attributed to lwart dispnse. Az ii wHs it WAS believed that he was murdered When his Piiatr was settled. il-trld nf finding $:nA.HM in government bonds which the dt. ceased had informed his family hp lad put away for Il certaiu use. none Wi" ~ i ,I,.,. I.f,Y ing you will condense what have to say The furniture dealer whC bought the desk was putting; t in order when he came upon secret drawer in which was Il letter. Tllnts the letter 1 came hero to sell Meanwhile the curio dealer had ceased to add figures and w:S lStphing . hreaitle<slr. When the speaker had finished llr turned his face to Il fire place fitted with il colonial mantrL brass andii1:,s and fender lie p!anrd his hands on 'he mamtel. bowed hi> head ard :;roanrd The third finger on his right hand wis missing Presently he turned
 What do you want for yohr-your cufl0. ne aSkeu
 You woGldh't buy it without seeing 1t. would yhh:
 II: 1 wouldn't buy it. but know a man who
 Just so thought you would know somebody wlo would take all interest in the matter But l think it would sharpen your faculties to see the letter
  l to you" And. taking Il paper from his l pocket. he read aloud: must have the rest of the bonds before l the closc of the month. If hot you will not live to complete the year bEALY
 "rhc name is made up." continued Da,aon. looking up at his victim '.1lnt's ifain tt'x the word deal "a pretty tilainnuS Genl. Siionld say. i However, for that matter. tlit deal I'm after may not hr very reputable How 1 murli WpiiI y"hr fri,'iid pay for the ! iettef:''
 Name He hricr.' said ftrdef,
 "The missing bonds" If y0u will come iii toii1orrJw I will tell you what have done
 "i must know today
 Well. remain here Will bp back 1 within half all n1ur."
 If yrsi iced to send il messenger. calf one. hat I'm tinid iIiau and wouldn't like to be itft 70 luHg alone" 1 What guafantep lias tiiis-Dealy- i that iie will not be pfosecutedT' An. Now we are getting to some . thing that interests yot Look it this" He dreW from his pocket Il paper. which he iaiided to Verdef. tcrdct