Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-04-04

the usual appurtenanceS. Instead
have found a human, rather likable
man. / can well understand now why
it is that the mob follows him like
sheep. However, that is neither here
nor there. He is crook, and must
be punished-even though | do like
him immensely"
Mr.. Magee smiled over to where the
| great bulk of Cargan slouched in a
chair
! Hes bully old scout" he re-
marked.
Even So" replied the professor,
"his -high-handed career of graft in
Reuton must come to speedy close.
He is of type fast vanishing through
the awakening public conscience. And
his career will end, assure you, de-
spite the fact that you. Mr.. Magee,
! have seen fit to send our evidence
behest of a chit of girl. l beg your
| Drayton, the new county prosecutor,
was several years back favorte
pupil of mine, After he left law
school he fell under the spell Of the
picturesque mayor of Reuton. Car
gan liked him and he rose rapidly.
| Drayton had no thought of ever turn
| ing against his benefactor when he
accepted the first favors, but later the
open selling of mems souls began to
disgust him. When Cargan offered him
the place of prosecutor, few months
ago, Drayton assured him that he
would keep his oath of office. The
mayor laughed. Drayton insisted.
Carsan had not yet met the man he
could not handle. He gave Drayton
the place."
The old man leaned forward, and
tapped Magee on the knee.
ut was in me, remember" he went
on, that Drsyton confided his resolve
to serve the public. l was delighted
at the news. A few weeks ago he in
formed me his first opportunity, was at
hand. Through one of the men in his
office he had learned that Hayden Of
the Suburban Electric was seeking to
consolidate that road. which had fall
len into partial disrepute under his
management during the Illness of
Thornhill. the president, with the
Civic. The consolidation would raise
the value of the Suburban nearly two
million dollars-at the public's ex-
pense. Hayden had seen Cargan.
Cargan had drafted Ordinance Number
As, and informed Hayden that his price
or passing it through the council
would be the sum you have juggled in
your possession on Baldpate Mountain
two hundred thousand dollars
"a mere trife,' remarked Magee'
sarcastically.
$50 Cargan made Hayden see.
Through long experience in these
matters the mayor has become care
less He is the thing above the law
if not the law itself He would have
had no fear in accerting this money
on Main street at midday. He had no
fear when he came here and found he
was being spied on.
'Rut Hayden--there was the diff
Guilty that began the drama of Bald
pate Inn. Hayden had few scruples.
but as events tonight have well proved
Mr.. Magee. he was coward at heart.
do not know just why he lies on
your bed upstairs at this moment, a
suicide-that is matter between Ken
drick and him. and one which Ken
drick himself has not fathomed. AS I
say. Hayden was afraid OF being
caught. Andy Rutter. manager Of
Baldpate Inn for the last few sum-
mers. is in some way mixed up in the
Suburban 1t was he who suggested to
Hayden that an absolutely secluded
spot for passing this large sum of
money would be the inn. The idea
appealed to Haydena Cargan tried to
laugh him out of it. The mayor did
not relish the thought of visit to
Baldpate Mountain in the dead OF
winter, particularly as he considered
such precautions unnecessary. But
Hayden was firm; this spot. he
pointed out was ideal, and the mayor
at last laughinglv gave in The sum
involved was well worth taking little
trouble to gain"
Professor Bolton paused, and blinked
his dim old eyes.
so the matter was arranged he
continued. "Mr. Bland, clerk in Hay
den's employ, was sent up here with
the money, which he placed in the
safe on the very night Of our arrival.
The safe had been left open by Rut-
ter: Bland did not have the combina-
ton. He put the package inside,
swung shut the door. and awaited the
arrival of the mayor"
81 was present. smiled Magee, "at
the ceremony you mention"
eyes? All these plans. as I have
said. We're known to Drayton. A few
nights ago he came to me. He want
ed to send an emissary to Baldpate-
a man whom Cargan had never met
one who could perhaps keep up lie
pretense of being here for some other
reason than a connection with the
bride. He asked me to undertake the
mission, to see all could and if pos
sible to secure the package of money.
This last seemed hardly likely. At
and rate, was to gather all the evil
dence | could. I hesitated. My Ii
brary fire never looked so alluring as
on that night. Also, l was engaged
. -, ,%,s. I. ,