The Washington times., 1913-10-04

window SO that he might not catch
sight of me. The littl. man was whist
Ling. and seemed to be contented in his
task.
II the problem of making the neces-
,, sary rise to clear the brick wal at the
end OF the yard worried him he did not
show the leas. trace of that emotion.
flc was going about the task OF getting
, his plane ready in thoroughly busi-
nesslike. yet nonchalant manner.
from the window watching MIN heard
, the sound Of Purvis' -oice in the front
room. He was talking rather loudly.
] stepped over to the door and placed
! my ear against one of the heavy panels
''There'll be nothing doing" Purvis
was saying, until the thing Is tried
"The point is, need some money
now" answered Vinton. speaking more
! quietly.
on. His agents won't pay until he says
the word
isn't something due for producing
, the compass?" demanded Vinton.
I did not hear Purvis' reply, but 1t
was evidently an unsatisfactory one, for
Vinton went on:
II want to see some evidence of good
faith. I'm not asking for it all. but
i want something Why can't you ad-
vance me 5.000?"
Suppose it's a failure. and nothing
is paid?" demanded Purvis. I'D be out
5000"
You mean to say in that event we
get nothing for our work.
The whole thing is gamble. isn't
it," growled Purvis. You've got 10
take your chance along with me-"
while Lazare takes noneT'
No financial chance-no." assented
Purvis grimly: only a swell chance Of
breaking his neck"
Which l cordially hope he will do"
! remarked Vinton genially and in his
proves to be a frost"
IF he does break his neck we'll never
know whether it's success or not.
That's another gamble"
why didn't he try to puy the thing
In the regular way?" asked Vinton.
He's close -mouthed about his rea-
sons. but can guess at some of them"
Purvis answered. Negotiations like
! that take time. The Government, fur
thermore. has an option on this thing,
and Mansfield isn't at liberty to sell
anywhere just at present although he
might be later. There's an emergency
; in-well, over on the other side. You
know, | guess. II this thing works it
means a war-quick-just as soon as
enough can be made to equip n fleet Of
planes. It's no war II IL doesn't In
either event. Lazares people can't af
ford to figure in any negotiations. This
nobody in Europe knows that an at
tempt Is being made to get the thing
out of the United States. If we win, We
win big!''
and how do we split?"
with me supplying all the Drains
and taking most of the risks" answered
Vinton with an unfamiliar note of pe"v-
ishness In his voice.
That was the agreement when we
began, and ii stands now retorted
Purvis W tn a growl. IF it wasn't for
me you'd never have been let In on
this thing. Besides, you seem to have
another prospect In view that ought to
yield something"
He said the last words with a sneer.
and Vinton caught him up sharply.
That end of It is entirely my affair"
he said, and Is no concern of either
yours or Lazare's.
well. In my opinion, it's got about
as much dynamite In II as LaZare's lit
tie Job Of dying observed Purvis. with
a short laugh.
"It doesn't worry me. Where's the
dynamite?'
I'm the back ROOM
You mean Mansfield?" Vinton ut
tered a low laugh.
That's what I mean. How are you
going to take care Of him? Let him
in on It? II you do it'll have to come
out of your half"
"Oh, I'll take care of him.
Vinton must have accompanied this
statement with n gesture of some sig
nificance. for Purvis broke In quickly:
DO you think you can get away with
that sort Of thing in this country. my
friend?" ~
"And do you suppose 1 can afford to