Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-03-11

spring drawer In the table-"here are
two hundred and fifty dollars. Make
your way to New York by the first
train and stay there till the month is
ended. If you go to Omaha" he
added, "l'll kill you. Wait! Take this
letter and post 1t 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 we'll 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-
ditlon Of an automaton; that 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 astoninsh,
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 profuse growth of
hair and beard. Even Jenkins would
not have recognized Haynes again in
that disguise.
who the deuce are you. sir?" ex.
claimed Robertson angrily, as he en-.
tered. II have been under the impres,
sion that this Is my house. sir. What
are you doing here?"
Graybeard rose chucklng and held
out his hand
"Mr. Robertson, l think" he said.
"Well, sir?"
my name Is Patterson. have pur.
chased this house-or rather have ar.
ranged to purchase 1t, through Mr..
Jenkins, your agent. 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.
II understood from Mr.. Jenkins that
II you had not returned from Europe
by the time the house was decorated !
was to have free residence here pend
ing your arrival. 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. 1 understand that It is at the
bank now. And then we can sign the
agreement"
Robertson's brow cleared; he smiled
a cigar. OF course! What an ass he
had been so nearly to betray himself
He had not hoped to get more than
$25,000 at most, and here Jenkins had
obtained three thousand dollars more
'By all means. Mr.. Patterson" he
said pleasantly. Il hope you will for
give my abruptness. At what hour
will 1t 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 tho
directors room. That will enable ua
to wind up the affair in single ses.
sion"
That will suit me admirably" said
Robertson, His caution had been
completely overcome by avarice. II
would be the work Of few minutes
only to complete the formalities and
then he would arrange to have the
monthly installments sent 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 tele
phoned his banker at his residence.
well, gentlemen. here we are"
smiled the old man as he welcomed
Robertson in the directors room on
the following morning. "Mr. Robert
son." he continued. you are. l be-
lieve, almost stranger here. Allow
me to introduce you to Mr.. Carpenter.
q director Of the bank. Mr.. Carpen-
ter's assistants" he continued, waving
his hand comprehensively toward two
gentlemen with large, unpublished
boots, who sat behind the table rather
glumly. "D1r. Robertson-my lawyer.
Mr.. Franks. Mr.. Franks, have you the
title-deed ready?"
Franks placed 1t upon the table and
Robertson read 1t over carefully. Then
taking pen from Carpenter. he held
it over the document.
Where shall l sign?" he asked.
You may sign here" said Franks.
But not unless you want to-" he add
ed impressively,
why. of course I want to-" said
Robertson genially. 1T isn't often a
man refuses to sign for eight and
twenty thousand dollars, Is it?" He
wrote his name in large, legible
hand.
Then Haynes took of his beard and
the two men rose from where they
were seated and stood one on each
side of Robertson.
Come along" said one Of them
briskly.
II beg your pardon!" said Robertson
briskly. Then, as he turned, he found
himself looking into the face of
Haynes. He knew him at once. He
gasped, staggered, fell backward; and
the handouts were snapped on his
wrists.
What Is the charger he muttered
as they helped him to the door.