Middletown transcript., 1914-12-19
WU FHOEO

Of the law. But the mirnonaire. seek.
ing only mis- own protection. misread
the purpose Of Meade's visit. He glow.
cred at the reporter. His look was a
mingling Of vindictiveness, concern
and infinite disgust.
Good Lord, you here already" he
cried. you Il have to clear out while
l have word with Reynolds. There's
no time for your chatter now. You
know what's happened, Reynolds?"
He pushed past the reporter and
stood confronting Bob.
"Yes, know and he knows, Brand,
Once again there's no need for him to
leave. I've told you before that I'd
trust Meade before I would you, so
either he stays or you go. There's
your choice"
The millionaire hurled a venomous
look at Dick. and turned again to Rey-
nolds.
"All right" he exclaimed impatient
ly. You're past arguing with. Times
precious and won't attempt it. We've
got "a hours to get ready for what's
going to happen and If we act instead
Of talk well beat them to 1t. There's
hell to pay. You can count on that
The thing crumbled like dust. They
say the first reports were exaggerated,
but l know the situation in that val
ley and the probability IL it'll be
worse"
And you said 1t would last a hun
dred years." Jane interrupted, tremu-
lously.
Brand gave her a withering glance.
The pitiful look of the helpless girl
whom he had deluded and cajoled and
who felt now that the sacrifice OF all
these lives were on her head and not
on her husbands or the mlllionaire's.
he met unabashed. He turned back to
Reynolds.
Pm not here to argue what said
or what didn't say. I'm here to get
US out Of the consequences Of what
has happened. They've. never had
such high water In the history of the
country and the dam would have stood
everything that was asked of 1t under
ordinary circumstances. Luck broke
against US, that's all. Now you two
have got to get out Of the country and
you've got to get out quick. That's
the first thing"
Something in the quiet look of the
man he addressed nettled Brand and
the words that followed upset him
more.
$50 you've come to run me awayf"
said Reynolds. Criminal first and
fugitive afterwards. That's the only
solution you see to it. is it?"
"Of course, it's the only solution.
You've got to save yourself and your
wife, too. It'll be all right. Every
wheels been started to offset the en-.
gineers' reports. I'll handle them all
right, but they mustn't get hold of you.
Not now, anyway. You're not safe.
Afterwards things will adjust them
selves and you can come back. But
the first big move Is to get you away"
For the first time since his acquaint-
hnCG Will DAanut MAGoAO AGAN NheAS no
could honestly second one of the mil
lionaire's arguments. His words near
ly took Brand of his feet, for he had
feared more than anything else the
conscientious scruples Of this young
genius and their probable effect on the
man who stood between him and
safety.
Brand is right this time, Bob" said
the reporter calmly. Il have arranged
for all that" he continued, turning to
the millionaire I've got their tick
cts and they can sail on the Lusitania
at one o'clock in the morning"
well, I'm a fool, II you haven't got
some sense after all" he compliment
ed. Then he faced quickly again
towards Reynolds. I've brought you
a letter of credit and some ready
money. Where the letter OF credit
came from nobody knows and nobody
will know. AS soon as you get to
England, If nothing stops you, go to
Belgium. There's an address on this
letter where I'll communicate with you
at Brussels. Don't worry. You'll slip
through like an eel"
He turned again to Dick.
"If you've got the transportation
and sailing arranged. that's fine. l
want to get out Of here now and don't
want anyone to know l was here to-
night. Brace up, Reynolds. and you,
too, Mrs. Reynolds. Keep your heads
up and take 1t easy. That's all, !
guess"
He put out his hand with the letter
but Reynolds raised his in dissent.