Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-03-27
CHAPTER XVI.
The EXQUISITE Mr.. Hayden.

or of Reuton, who had been doing
near the desk. stirred.
Miss Norton rose and ascended the
stairs. Still the protesting Magee was
at her heels At the head Of the stairs
she turned.
You shall have your final chance
she said. 1.-The mayor, Max and Blano
are alone in the office. don't approve
Of eavesdropping at Baldpate in the
summer. 1t has spoiled lot OF per-
fectly adorable engagements. But In
winter it's different Whether you
really want to help me or not, I'm sure
don't know, but If you do the con-
versation below now might prove Oh
interest"
"pm sure It would" Magee agreed.
well, have scheme. Listen.
Baldpate inn is located in temper
ance county. That doesn't mean that
people don't drink here. 1t simply
means that there's a lot or mystery
and romance connected with the
drinking. Sometimes those VINO rol-
low the god of chance In the cara
room late at night grow thirsty. now
II happens that there is trapdoor IN
the floor Of the card room, up whicn
drinks are frequently passed from the
cellar. Isn't that exciting? A hotel
clerk who became human once in my
presence told me about 1t. II you
went into the cellar and hunted about
Won might find that door and climb
up into the card ROOM
"a bully idea" agreed Mr.. Magee.
"In hurry down there this minute.
I'm more grateful than you can guess
for this chance. And this time-but
you'll see."
Magee hurried to the cellar and
with the aid Of a box OF matches
found a ladder leading to door cut
in the floor above. He climbed
through dust and cobwebs, unfastened
the catch and pushed cautiously up
ward. In another minute he was
standing in the chill little card room.
Softly he opened the card room door
about half an inch and put his ear to
II.
The three men were grouped very
close at hand, and he heard MI.
Bland speaking in low tones:
I'm talking to you boys as friends.
The show is over. There amt no use
hanging around for the concert
there won't be none. Go home ana
get some clean collars and square
meal"
.sIf YOU think I'm going to be shook
off by any fairy story like that said
the mayor of Reuton, you're chiio
with all a childs touching faith"
"An right. replied Mr.. Bland. I
thought I'd pass you the tip, that's
all. 1t amt nothing to me what you
do. But it's all over, and you've lost
out. I'm sorry you have but 1 take
Hayden's orders
"Dash Hayden!" snarled the mayor.
1T was his idea to make three act
play out Of the thing. He's responsible
for this silly trip to Baldpate. This
audience we've been acting for-he let
us in for them"
.I know" said Bland. But you
can't deny that Baldpate inn looked
like the ideal spot at flrst-secluded'
off the beaten path, you know, and all
that"
Yes" sneered the mayor, "as Sc
cluded as a Sunday school the Sun
day before Christmas"
"Well, who could have guessed it?''
went on Mr.. Bland. "As 1 say, L
don't care what you do. 1 just passed
YOU the tip. I've got that nice little
package Of the long green. I've got
it where you'll never find it,"
How did you get hold of it?" in
uuired Mr.. Lou Max.
"I had my eye on this little pro-
fessor person." explained Mr.. Bland
This morning when Magee went up
the mountain I trailed the highbrow
to Magee's room. When I busted in'
unannounced by the butler, he was
making his getaway 1 don't like to
talk about what followed. He's an
old man, and l sure didn't mean to
break his glasses nor scratch his dome
of thought. There's ideas in that
dome that go back to the time OF
Anthony ]. Chaucer. But-he's al
ways talking about that literature
chair of his-why couldn't he stay at
home and sit in it? Anyhow, I got
the bundle all right. all right. Won
der what the little fossil wants with
it,"
"The Docs glasses was broke said
Max. evidently to the mayor OF Reu-
ton.
"Um-m," came Cargans voice
Bland how much do you make work
ing for this nice, kind gentleman, Mr..
Hayden?"
"Oh, about $4,000 a year, with pick
ings," replied Bland.
"Yes?" went on Mr.. Cargan. Il
amt no Charles Dana Gibson with
words My talks little rough and
sketchy. 1 guess. But here's the out
line. plain as 1 can make it. Two
thousand a year from Hayden. rwen-
~ thousand in two seconds if you
hand that package to me-"
NO" objected Bland. I've been
honest-after fashion. I can't quite
stand for that. I'm working for Hay
den"
Don't be a fool" sneered Max.
"Of course" said the mayor. II ap-
preciate your scruples, having had a
few in my day myself. though you'd
never think so to read the Star But
look at it sensible. The money be-
longs to me. If you was to hand ii
over you'd be just doing plain justice
What right has Hayden on his side:
I did what was agreed. Do l get my
pay?"
NO" said Bland, but his tone was
less firm. Il can't go back on Hey
den. Not wouldn't
Twenty thousand" repeated Car
gan. Ten years salary the way you