Rocky Ford enterprise., 1914-11-06


might have been one of them. though
none had seen him previously that
night. His white hair. his smooth
shaven. finely wrinkled face. his mag
nedc eyes, we're all a part OF a com
manding personality, and 1t was nc
more than natural that he should be
looked to for an explanation of the
episode.
Perfectly composed. there was nc
mistakins the fact that he completely
dominated the situation.
Van Vechten noted that his uncle
recognized the man, and that the Man
of Irons attitude all at once became
one of tense. alert watchfulness.
With an air that impelled many to
follow his example. the stranger con.
suited his watch: an average declara.
tion of all the watches would have
flIed the time At twelve minutes till
midnight.
He advanced to the table, from
which everybody else shrank as far
as the confines of the vast room per.
mitted. and laid 4 hand upon the
casket. Glancing once more at the
watch which he still held In the other
hand. he quietly remarked:
Gentlemen, this coffin contains
on the map. It is connected with one
Of my timelocks. set to dstonats the
explosive at midnight precisely" His
commanding regard met Theodore Van
Vechten's. as he added:
mo one better than you knows how
likely 1t is to work without a hitch"
In the ensuing quiet. the ticking. as
OF q clock. which he plainly heard.
After a moment he went on:
Il shall not take the time to apollo
gtEe for this interruption OF your fes-
tivities. bscause''-another glance at
the watch-"only ten minutes stands
between this moment and midnight.
But. as briefly as possible, want to
make It clear to you that am re-
sponsible for the occasion that has
brought you together here. With my
perfected time-lock and permanganate
steel-the only metal that will with
stand the oIyhyric fame-combined
with Theodore Van Vechten's business
talent and his commanding position,
wherefrom he can persuade every one
of the country's financial institutions
to purchase an Atlas safe, whether
they want 1t or not. the concerns in
itial year has been a phenomenally
prosperous one.
You gentlemen who are fortunate
to be among the stockholders. and
Theodore Van Vechten. are reaping
hA kur
ventor's portion.
Through my lack OF business acu-
men I was frozen out OF the company.
and 1t did not take long TO discover
that every avenue of legal redress was
closed to me. Please bear In mind
that fact.
Then what remained for me7" The
brilliant eyes swept the wondering
audience. Why. either to accept the
situation as Theodore Van vechten
willed Il. or recover my rights by
force.
Now. gentlemen. virtually have
been robbed of fortune. am not
seeking vengeance-no. no; nothing
of that kind-only justice and com
psnsation. have spent months in
preparing for tonight: more than once
my secret operations fave nearly met
with shipwreck. and you must realize
that | come here fully determined to
exact the uttermost farthing OF my
dues. or else not one OF you will live
to enjoy them. Call 1t blackmall. call
It a hoid-up. call It whatever you will.
the fact In that | am here to enforce
f, haa ugL tod
to enforce a distribution OF my share
OF the profits OF the Atlas Safe Com
pany. and my reinstatement into the
position of superintendent OF which
| have been unjustly deprived"
Theodore Van Vechten had gradual
ly returned to the head OF the table.
and he now stood with his hands on
the back of his chair. composedIy re-