The citizen., 1914-11-27

4
three and a chauffeur. My wife doesn't
like to ride In our car this time of the
year. She likes the Brands limousine
| better; 1t Is more comfortable these
cool nights: and she doesn't care to go
to the theater with me any more. The
parquet used to be very fine. but the
Brands box Is better now. It's Brand
this and Brand that, and I'm getting
a little tired Of It I've lost lot oi
money today, to be sure. Ten thou
sand dollars more than I've got. But
! want little stake of my own. any.
| way, and whatever you told Henningi
or what you didn't tell him doesn't
make any difference to me. If you are
SO clever that you can win 100000 ON
q stock that / lose forty thousand on
in the same day and through the same
brokerage house. why you can afford
to spare q little OF that winning.
whether you think am entitled to 1t
or not"
Reynolds words came clear cut and
decisive. His ultimatum did not par
take of braggadocio. but Of determine
ton.
Don't misunderstood me-" Reynolds
went on. II mean what say just TO
this extent: It's q toss OF the coin
with me whether get this 100000 or
whether quit It all and go up there
for that view of the river that you
recommended 80 highly-anything;
anything rather than this. I've lived
In this dressed up civilization OF yours,
this false grab-bag game. this misery.
with every natural thing turned up
side down, just about as long as
want to. wouldn't mind little rest
up on the Hudson If had company,
and II go I'll have 1t, and guess you
can figure out what company I'll have"
"Yes. can figure 1t out all right"
Brand answered, "and I'm simply
frightened half to death. Can't you
see me trembling? This Is nice lit
tie stage you set tonight Reynolds.
All you need is the half lights and
some low music, and you'd be a regu-
lar melodramatic villain. Now, you've
made your little speech and I'll make
mine. You brought me over here to-
night to blackmail me out of $4,000.
You want your answer; here 1t Is.
You don't get damned cent! You've
made your bluff, now there's the call.
Bring your reporter down now and be-
gin to talk. That's probably what
you've"
Reynolds lunged toward the million
aire, who drew back. fists doubled,
ready to meet the attack he fully ex-
lpected. But Bob stopped. as suddenly
as he started. Brand was under his
roof. It was no place for violence,
however acute the cause.
you quit that talk. quick!" he cried.
Keep Meade out of this. Don't you
drag the only friend I've got down to
your level and mine. When talk 1t
won't be to Meade. It will be right to
the man who will put John Brand
where he belongs. and put him there
quick. Now, you don't think I'm 60
ing to, do you? Brand, there are only
two things that can relieve me from
the hole I'm In. One is money. You
can give me that. The other Is to
make q clean breast of 1t. I can do
that for myself. If you think I'm
bluflng, you're crazy. Pm sick Of the
whole damn business. and so help me
God, as l stand on this spot, I'll make
you sick of 1t, too"
You'll take me along with you?"
"Yes. right up to that place on the
river"
Brands suavity had returned.
"All right" he answered, "but let
me tell you something. I'll have money
and lawyers to protect me and you
won't. In the first place that $4,000
overdraft on your bank will discredit
any testimony you give. and IL 1t
doesn't, l think you know the law
pretty we'll, and that there is such
thing as an accessory before and after
the fact, and If you do succeed in put
ting US both in jail. remember that
there Is another person who will go
right along with US, and that person is
| your wife. Now, you just think that
over for WHILE"
AS the millionaire boasted Of the
rich mans means for evasion Of the
law, Reynolds. who had expected this
counter, stood with look OF cynical
Indifference. but as the full signifi-
cance Of Brands closing threat struck
home, he paled and stepped back with
hands pressed hard to his temples as
II stunned.
"You wouldn't-you wouldn't do
thatl" he cried.
"You were the one who was threat
ening, not me-" Brand answered.
Bob rushed again toward his tor
mentor, but was checked by sudden
opening Of the door.
Good night, Mrs. Brand" they heard
Jane say. and Reynolds stopped mid
way.
(ro BE CoNTINUED)