River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1916-03-30
CHAPTER XXV.-Continued.


admit But who told you"
Never mind. It's true. isn't it,"
Eyes," the Englishman admitted
gravely-''it's true. 1t lies at Bannon's
door, when alls said Perhaps you
won't believe me, but it's fact | didn't
know positively who was responsible
till tonight"
"You don't really expect me to be
lieve that? You were pretty thick with
that gang
"Ah, but on probation only. When
they voted Roddy out | wasn't con-
suited They kept me in the dark
mostly fatter myself-because they
knew I drew the line at murder. If [
had known-this you won't believe, of
course--Roddy'd be alive today
I'D like to believe you" Lanyard
admitted "But when you ask me to
sign articles with that vicious assas-
sin"
You can't play our game with clean
hands," Wertheimer retorted.
Lanyard found no answer to that.
"If you've said all you wished to-"
he suggested, rising, 81 can assure you
my answer is f1nal-and go about my
business"
whats your hurry? Sit down.
There's more to say-much more"
AS for instance"
Il had a fancy you might like to put
a question or two"
Lanyard shook his head; 1t was
plain to him that Wertheimer designed
to draw him out through his interest
in Lucy Shannon.
Z haven't the slightest curiosity
concerning any Of your affairs" he OBJ
served.
But you should have; I could tell
you a great many interesting things
that intimately affect your affairs, if
liked. You must understand that
shall hold the balance of power here
from now on"
Congratulations" Lanyard laughed
derisively.
mo joke, my dear chap. I've been
promoted over the heads of your
friends, De Morbihan and Popinot, and
shall henceforth be-as they say in
America-the whole works"
by what warrant?"
1.-THE illustrious Bannon's. I've been
appointed his lieutenant-vice Greggs,
deposed for bungling."
do you mean to tell me Bannon
controls De Morbihan and Popinot?"
The Englishman smiled indulgently.
IF you didn't know it, he's comman-
der in chief Of our allied forces the
presiding genius Of the International
Underworld, Unlimited"
"Bosh!" cried Lanyard contemptu-
ously. "Why talk to me as if I were
child, to be frightened by any such
bogy tale as that?"
Take it or leave it, my friend. The
fact remains. 1 know, if you don't.
confess l didn't till tonight; but I've
learned some things that have opened
my eyes You see, we had table in
quiet corner at the Cafe de la Paix,
and since the old mans sailing for
home before long, it was naturally
time for him to unbosom himself rath-
er thoroughly to the one he leaves to
act for him III London and Paris. |
never suspected our power before he
began to talk"
Lanyard, watching the man closely,
would have sworn he had never seen
one more sober. He was indescribably
perplexed by this ostensible candor-
mystified and mistrustful.
And then there's this to be consid-
cred. from your side" Wertheimer re-
sumed with the most businesslike man.
ner. You can work with us without
being obliged to deal in any way with
the old man or De Morbihan or Popi-
not: you need never speak to either Of
them. Bannon will never cross the
Atlantic again. and you can do pretty
much as you like, within reason-sub-
ject to my approval, that is.
lone of us is mad Lanyard COM
mented profoundly.
One Of us is blind to his best inter-
ests," Wertheimer amended with en-
tire good humor.
Perhaps. Let it go at that. I'm
not interested-never did care for
fairy tales"
Don't go yet. There is still much
to be said on both sides Of our argu-
ment."
Has there been one?"
Besides, promised you news from
Antwerp"
TO be sure" Lanyard said, and
paused. his curiosity at length en-
gagged.
Wertheimer delved into the breast
pocket of his dress coat and produced
a blue telegraph-form, handing it to
the adventurer.
OF even date, from Antwerp, it read:
underworld, Paris: Greggs arrest
ed today, boarding steamer for Amer
lea, after desperate struggle. Killed
himself Immediately afterward. Poison.
No confession.-Q. 81
"Underwcrld?" Lanyard Queried
blankly.