Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-06-24

find the necessary proof. Well, I've get
the proof. all of it. There's enough OF
it to put him comfortably where al
thieves ought to be-"
Horace made a great effort to pull
himself together.
will o be more specific, CARR" he
said. but his voice shook.
Adam look e at him in wonder. and
with a trace of pity in his eyes.
ITS going to be pretty hard, Horace
l hope you'll take it like a man.
Horace Strengthened up; his gaze
tried to meet that of the detective
without quailing.
L have asked you to be quite specific,
Carr" he repeated.
Where is your SOM" demanded
Adam abrutly.
Horace seemed to draw his shoul-
ders in as if his body was undergoing a
Tightening process.
My SON? He-See here, Carr, that
do YOU know of him? Where is he"
Don't waste words. For-for Gods
sake, out with it."
d you mean to say that you don't
know where he is?' demanded AID I'M
loudly. Isn't he at home?"
Ssh! Not so loud, please! No. he is
mo- at home. will be quite frank
with you. he did not come home last
night. He's-he's gone"
Are you speaking the truth"
Il understand. Horace. 1t is natural
TO. a father to shield his son. He con-
fessed to you. You are going to stand
by him while
Carr, as God Is my witness. 1 lid
not suspect my son until l looked in
to your eyes out there in the bank IL
few minutes ago. Then, something
] seemed To fell me what If WAS Won had
come to say-and to do. Now, Adam, l
am asking o how much you want.
What is your price,"
Adam Carr drew back his arm as if
to strike. A savage light leaped into
his eyes.
That's the second time you've asked
me that question. I'll answer it this
time" He stuck his hands into his
coat pockets and faced Mr.. Blagden
squarely. Il have a price and you'll
have to pay it. You'll be a long time
doing it, Horace. but it's got to be paid.
Once YOU accused me of being a thief.
You drove me out of this town. dis
graced. YOU
Il was a boy then, Adam. We are
men now. l ask YOU to overlook
that"
Adam held up his hand. You have
never publicly admitted your error.
even though You new you We're wrong.
All these years you nave allowed Co
rinth to believe that you are still un-
convinced. l want to say to you now
that l wouldn't sell the knowledge 1
have of your son %rottenness for al!
the money in this bank. You can't pay
my price in money. Horace. You can
only paw 1t with suffering. You are I
good man. Good men suffer harder
than bad men. You had no mercy on
your sister. You are pleased to say
that she's in hell: that's enough for
You. Your children? You-well, we
won't speak OF them. l suppose you
can't help being what you are"
Il am an honest, God fearing man
a Christian whose
And like that other God fearing
man, you have a prodigal son. Will
you rave the courage to kill a fatted
calf when he returns to you, blackened
with shame, or will you publicly con-
sign him to the devil as you did your
sister because she was not good enough
to come in for your passover"
MY boy can be saved. The cases
arc not the same"
How about the Widow Payson's
boy?"
Have you done with this. What do
you mean to do?"
81 am going to put my proofs-and
they are Observation-Disclosures the peo-
pie of Corinth."
Horace eyed him quite calmly. He
was master of himself once more. so
far as outward appearances are con
celned.
This institution Will not prefer
charges against the son of its presi-
dent. I shall restore all of the money
that is missing. hat will be the end
of it,
Not exactly" said Adam, with a
smile. You forget me. I am going
to hunt this world over until ] find
the thief. Then I shall bring him back
to YOU. 1t rests with the bank. OF
course. whether he shall be sent to
prison But I shall do my part, never
fear. You can't keep me from hunting
him down. and you can't keep me from
giving the story to the world. Sit down.
Horace. I want to tell you just what
! know of your sons actions"
Half an hour later. Adam Carr left
the bank. Before 5 o'clock in the af-
ternoon. representatives of New York
v~estlgating. the reDort that the son OF
had fle1.
The whole bliehtine story of Chef
wynd's crime was to find its way into
the great newspapers.
Corinth was appalled,,
Once more Todville reioiced. and
along the water front the denizens
spoke without fear or restraint The
SNUG little citv was shaken az by :,
monster commission.
A Plagden had gone wrong, A male
Blagdsn, A son of The Blagden at
that
CONTINUED next week.)