The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1914-06-06

the East more comfortable for
you. Am l correct In that supposi
ton? Good. Then" He opened q
spring drawer in the table-"here are
two hundred INT fifty dollars. Make
your way to New York by the FIRST
train and stay there till the month is
ended. II you go to Omaha" he
added, I'll kill you. Waltz Take this
letter and post it on your way to the
depot"
He watched the man stink down the
street toward the letter-box, but did
not even wait to see him drop the let
ter. He knew well enough the dead
ly fear which he had inspired; he
knew, also, that Jenkins, terrified by
the trap into which he had fallen, had
been temporarily reduced to the con-
dition of an automaton; hat he would
obey his command unQuestioningly.
But Robertson did come. He ar
rived two evenings later, saw the
house brilliantly lighted, and entered
in some perplexity. Haynes was wait
ing for Robertson in the library, and
hailed him as he passed by on his way
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 a~stopinsh-
ment at the other. The voice seemed
somehow not wholly unfamiliar, but
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
hat disguise.
Who the deuce are you, sir?" ex-
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, I think" he said.
well, sir?"
MY name is Patterson. I have pur-
chased this house-or rather have ar
ranged to purchase it, through MI.
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 twenty-four
thousand dollars in twenty-four month
ly payments"
"But-but@" stammered Robertson.
Il understood from Mr.. Jenkins that
If you had not returned from Europe
by the time the house was decorated 1
was to have free residence here pend
ing your arrival. l moved in three
days ago"
Robertson had never thought so
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
a cigar. OF course! What an ass he
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. 81 hope you will for
give my abruptness. At what hour
will it suit you to be at the bank?"
"How would eleven do?" asked Gray
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 a single ses-
sion"
THAT will suit me admirably" said
Robertson. His caution had been
completely overcome by avarice. 1t
would be the work of a few minutes
only to complete the formalities and
then he would arrange to have the
monthly installments lent to London
and leave America forever. After a
few trivial remarks he rose and took
his leave cordially.
When he had gone Haynes went to
the telephone and called up police
headquarters. Afterward he teIe-
phoned his banker at his residence.
well, gentlemen, here we are"
smiled the old man as he welcomed
Robertson in the directors room on