Putnam patriot., 1915-08-06

1 EenlOuS lndlNldual, Dy name Andrew l Allen. had decided that this particular : thief would fit admirably into his ! bchemes The accomplishment of his design was not difficult. since at just i this time Walter was closely pursued ! by the Pinkertons for a recent ofense against the law, and the offer of an | asylum was welcome. ! Andrew had maintained so much se- i crecy as to the nature of his plans that l Walters curiosity was provoked, and 1 this soon drove him to dissatisfaction i with the situation, in which he quite l forgot his first relief over securing q safe refuge from danger. Instead lie i grew fretful over the dull routine of ] days and nights He was dishonest by nature. thief by choice. His slightly 1 preparations jaw showed merely moral J degeneracy, not firmness of will. At twenty-five years of age he was 1 thorough paced seoundrel, willing for any crime, but incompetent Neverthe-
 less as yet his evil nature was not 1 graven clearly in the lines of his 1ace,
 which a careless observer might have i deemed winningly boyish. Now as he sat erect ill his dinner jacket by the
 table on which the cards were display ed he did justice by his appearance to , the judgment of Andrew in this selec- 1 ton as the pseudo young gentleman of means come out of the west for a trial i of the metropolitan life. He scowled heavily, and his jaw shot out sullenly as the trial of the cards proclaimed his i lucklessness. He shot a baleful glance
 toward the irreproaehable manseryant.
 who for some time had been standing at q little distance in an attitude of l patient deferenee
 Well, Parker he snapped, what
 waiting for?a
 "For you to finish the game, sir
 And then what:'
 ''To take the cards away, sir"
 The young man sneered
 "Oh. that's it. is it?s he drawled.
 You're waiting to take the cards away"
 Yes sir. Mir Andrews orders. sir.
 The words, decorously spoken, were
 the last straw to the burden on Wal
 ter,s patience. With an oath he seized the pack and threw it violently to the floor
 Well, take them away, thenr' he snared, with an evil grin. He sprane to his feet and moved about the room nervously for minute.
 Say, your he cried You know
 who I am, don't you?" he demanded.
 And now there came subtle change
 in the infections of the meniars voice, though its respectful quality was still in evidence There was vague sug- gestion of satisfaction in his tones as 1 he answered:
 "Nes. sir.
 Walter multered curse. Kept it 10 yourself mighty close. didn't you?r he affirmed rather than interroeatt.d "Oh. l was on to you the
 minute saw your Walter spoke with some relaxation of his aggrieyed man
 ner for it was a relief to cast off dis guise in the presence of this fellow. "RHt th.s Mir Andrew-tell me. Parker,
 who is he anyhow? Whats his little game. eh2"
 Tine anticipation of information from this source was not to be realized.
 T have been with Mir. Andrew for some time. sir" he said with an in creased precision of utterance and reversion to his customary 'sir" "I never ask questions. I simply obey orders, sir
 He's got tt show me-" Walter stormed, that's all He's got to show
 me what this game is about or I'll quit
 Walters gaze followed in astonish
 ment the figure of the servant as 1t went noiselessly out of the room, and not until fl had vanished into the hall did he observe another form which was standing motionless just within the doorway-that of Andrew himself. There was a dead silence while the Master Mind walked slowly forward until he stood close. face to face with his tool. Though he wore livery. as beftted his pretenIed place in the household. there was nothing of the servile in the clear cut face and the erect body as his keen gray eyes re gartled speculatively the disconcerted youth before him. His tone was mild when he spoke, but he ran in it an un- dertone of menace
 You won't eonfinue?'
 Walter had recourse to bluster.
 .eNo. I won't.' he declared gruf1y
 You heard me say it the first time. didn't you?"
 Very well, then" Andrew vouch- safed, still in that voice of ominoHs calm. T suppose that ! must notify the Pinkertons so thnt you may return 10 vonr former confition-the condition l in which I found you. Shall I?'
 The young man labored to preserve an undaunted demeanor.
 At least" he vouchsafed sulkily, .i should know where I was 'Oh. there could be no doubt as to | that" Andrew conceded with grim smile And you would know your | destination also for a certainty Sing ! Sing"