Evening star., 1914-04-05
BY EARL DERR BIGGERS


in cash. We go together to The Mail office. You
pay the money, and leave you in charge.
Old Meyrick leaped to his feet. "Very good, he
cried Come on
@One thing more continued the crafty Gonzale.
at NAV pay YOU to note-we are watched, even now.
All the the bank and thence to the office of The
Mail will be watched Should any accident,
unforeseen happen to me, that issue of The Mail will
go on sale in FIVE minutes all over San Marco
Spencer Meyrck stood garing down at the little
man in white. His enthusiasm of moment ago for the
journey vanished. However, the headlines of "The
Mail were staring up at him from the bench. He
stopped pocketed the paper, and growled:
Il understand. Come on'
There must be some escape! The trap seemed abb
surdlv simple Across the hotel lawn, down the hot
avenue, in the less hot plaza, Meyrick sought way
naturally impulsive man, he had difficulty restraining
himself. But he thought of his daughter whose hap
piness than money in his eyes.
No way offered. At the counter of the tiny bank
Meyrck stood writing his check Gonzae at his elbow.
SUDDENLY behind them the door slammed,
and wild eyed with flaming red hair rushed in.
"What is it you want?" Gonzae screamed.
"Out of my way, Don Quixote! cried the red-topped
one. "Im windmill and my arms breathe death Are
you Mr.. Meyrick? Well, tear up that check'
GLADLY" said Meyrick 4Only-7
"Notice the catbirds down hereo' went on the wild
"Noisy little beasts, aren't they? WE'LL after this
take off your hat em. catbird saved you lot Of
money this morning"
am afraid l don't follow" said the dazed Spencer
Meyrick.
"Noo III explain. 1 have been working this
mans paper for the last week. So has very good
friend of mine. We knew he crooked; but
needed the money, and he promised not to pull off
any more blackmail while stayed Last night after
left the office, he arranged this latest. Planned
incrminate You little devil!'
Manuel, frightened, leaped away.
ave usually sleep until noon' went O'Neill. ale
counted on that. Enter the catbird. Sat win
dow sill at ten A. NJ and screeched. Woke us up. We
felt uneasy. Went to the Office, broke down bolted
door and found what up"
@Dog!' foamed Manuel. "Outcast of the gutter.'
"Save your compliments! Mr.. Meyrick, my partner
is at The Mail office destroying todays issue of
The Mall We've already ruined the first page form,
the cut of the policy and the negative. And we're
going North as fast as the Lord'n let You do
what YOU please. Arrest our little lenon-tinted en-
ployer, if you want to.
Spencer Meyrick stood, considering.
"However-I've done you favor O'Neill went on.
"You can do me one. Let Manuel of-on
dition7
aName it."
@That he hands me at once two hundred dollars
hundred for myself, the other for my partner It's
legitimate salary money due us-we need it. A long
walk to New York"
a myself began NIeyrick.
Don't want your money! said ONeill. want
Gonzales
Gonzales you shall have" agreed Meyrick. "You
pay hirn!"
"Never!' cried the Spaniard.
"Then it's the police" hinted ONeill.
Gonzale took two yellow bills from a wallet. He
tossed them at ONeill. "There you curl" :.
Careful cried ONeill. "Or III punch you yet
He started forward; but Gonzale hastily withdrew.
ONell and the millionaire followed to the street.
TUST as WE'LL commented NIeyrick a should not
have cared to his arrest: it would have meant
country wide publicity He laid hand the arm
of the newspaper II take it., he said, that your
fortunes not at highwater mark You have done