The Southern herald., 1914-06-12

the East more comfortsBIa
you. Am l correct in that SUNNI.
ton? Good. Then He oDeps5
spring drawer in the table-'here j..
two hundred and fifty dollars Nal.
your way to New York by the a..
train and stay there till the month \
ended. If you go to Omaha 1.
added, "I'll kill you. Wait! Take tb;1
letter and post it on your way to M
depot"
He watched the man stink down ths
street toward the letter-box, but dls
not even wait to see him drop the lsI'
ter. He knew well enough the desa.
ly fear which he had inspired. K
knew, also, that jenkins, terrified q
the trap into which he had fallen MA
been temporarily reduced to the con.
dition Of an automaton; that he wouA
obey his command unquestlonlngly
But Robertson did come. He Al
rived two evenings later, saw tbs
house brilliantly lighted, and entered
in some perplexity. Haynes was wait
ing for Robertson in the library Ana
hailed him as he passed by on his wav
to the reception room, where he I'M
agined Jenkins to be waiting for him
Robertson turned at the sound and
came in quickly, looking in astonnsh
ment at the other. The voice seemed
somehow not wholly unfamiliar Sut
the figure was that of an old, bent
man and the face was nearly con.
cealed under a profuse growth Of
hair and beard. Even jenkins would
not have recognized Haynes again in
that disguise.
who the deuce are you, sir?" e1.
claimed Robertson angrily, as he en-,
tered II have been under the impress
sion that this is my house, sir. What
are you doing here?"
Graybeard rose chuckling and held
out his hand.
"Mr. Robertson, l think" he said.
"Well, sir?" II
"My name is Patterson. | have DUN
chased this house-or rather have an
ranged to purchase 1t, through Mfi
Jenkins, your agent. l have four thou.
sand dollars in the Benderville bank
to meet the first installment, and you
shall have the balance of twentyfout
thousand dollars in twenty-four month
ly payments"
"But-but-" stammered Robertson
II understood from Mr.. jenkins that
If you had not returned from Europe
by the time the house was decorated
was to have free residence here pend
ing your arrival. l moved in three
days ago."
Robertson had never thought sd
hard before.
Tomorrow morning, Mr.. Robert
son." resumed the other, I'VE can
transfer the title-deed, If you are
agreed. l understand that it is at the
bank now. And then we can sign the
agreement"
Robertson's brow cleared; he smiled
and, sitting down, bit off the end Of
cigar. OF course! What an ass be
had been SO nearly to betray himself,
He had not hoped to get more than
$4,000 at most, and here jenkins had
obtained three thousand dollars more.
"By all means, Mr.. Patterson" he
said pleasantly. 'I hope you will for
give my abruptness. At what houE
will it suit you to be at the bank?
"How would eleven do?" asked Cray
beard. Il can step into my lawyers
Office and have him meet us in the
directors room. That will enable Us
to wind up the affair in single ses.
sion"
THAT will suit me admirably" sale
Robertson. His caution had been
completely overcome by avarice' "
would be the work of few minutes
only to complete the formalities and
then he would arrange to have the
monthly installments sent to Londoh
and leave America forever. After z
few trivial remarks he rose and toon
his leave cordially.
When he had gone Haynes went %
the telephone and called up police
headquarters. Afterward he tela
phoned his banker at his residence
well, gentlemen, here we are
smiled the old man as he welcomes
Robertson in the directors room ~
the following morning. "Mr AoperD
son." he continued, you are, %
lieve, almost a stranger here. Anos
me to introduce you to Mr.. CarpenVs.1
director Of the bank. Mr.. CarpeI
ter's assistants" he continued, Wavlns
his hand comprehensively toward W.
gentlemen with large, unpohsles
boots, who sat behind the table ratne.
glumly. "Mr. Robertson-my lawysit
Mr.. Franks. Mr.. Franks, have you 'ug
title-deed ready?"
Franks placed 1t upon the tapie suS
Robertson read it over carefully lhSI
taking pen from Carpenter, ne ne'S
1t over the document. 4
Where shall l sign?" he asked
"You may sign here" said transs.
But not unless you want to-" ne au4
ed impressively.
fgTubry - a1,.-.A ryoOt 10, bdt~