Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-05-31
cHAPTER-xv--continued

The promoter pulled himself erect
with grip on either arm of the chair.
"Brouillard, do you know what you
are talking about?' he demanded.
NO; it is only guess. But as mat
ters stand-with your son indictable
for an attempted murder if 1
were you, Mr. Cartwright, ! believe
I'd give David Massingale a chance to
pay those notes at the bank"
And let him blackmail me? Not in
month OF Sundays, Brouillard! Let
him sell his ore and pay the notes if
he can. If be can't, III take the mine. ="
'All right" said the visitor placably
You asked, and I've answered. Now
let's come TO something more vital to
both Of US. There is a pretty persist
ent rumor on the street that you and
your associates succeeded in getting
resolution through both houses OF con
gress at the last session, appointing a
committee to investigate this Coronida
claim right here on the ground No
body seems to have any definite de-
tails. aud It possibly hasn't occurred
10 anyone that congress hasn't been in
session since Mirapolis was born But
that doesn't matter. The committee
is coming; you have engaged rooms
for il here in Bongras. You are ex-
pecting the private-car special next
week.
Well?" said the magnate. You're
a pretty good kindergarten But what
OF it?"
"oh, nothing. Only think you
might have taken me in on the little
side play What If / had gone about
town contradicting the rumor?"
why should you? It's true. The
congressional party will be here next
week. and nobody has made any secret
OF it."
Still. / might have been taken in"
persisted Brouillard suavely. You'll
surely want to give me my instrue-
tions a little beforehand, won't you7
Just think how easily things might get
tangled. Suppose should say to some
body-to Garner, for example-that
the town was hugely mistaken; that
no congressional committee had ever
been appointed; that these gentlemen
who are about to visit us are mere
complaisant friends Of yours, coming
as your guests, on iunketing trip at
your expense. Wouldn't that be rather
AWKWARD"
The mayor Of Mirapolis brought his
hands together, fist in palm. and for
fitting instant the young engineer saw
in the face of the father the same ex.
preston that he had seen In the face
Of the son when Van Bruce Cartwright
was struggling for a second chance to
kill man.
Damn you" sad the magnate saw
agely; you always know too muchl
You're bargaining with mel"
Well. you have bargained with me.
first, last and all the time" was the
cool retort On each occasion I have
had my price. and you have paid IT,
Now you are going to pay it again
Shall go over TO the Spotlight Office
and tell Harlan what know"
You can't blum Ire that way. BroulI.
lard. and YOU ought to sense it by this
time. Do you suppose / don't know
how you are fixed THAT you've got
money-money that you used to say
you owed somebody else-tied up In
Mirapolis investments?
BrouiEard rose and buttoned his
coat.
There is one weak link in your
chain. Mr. Cartwright" he said even
l.; you don't know men. Put on your
coat and come over TO Harlans Office
with me 1t viii take just about two
minutes to satisfy you that I'm nc;
bigfTing."
For moment 1t appeared that the
offer was &c be accepted. But when
be had one arm in a coat sleeve
Brouillard's antagonist in the game OF
lIardihood changed his tactics.
Forget it," Re growled morosely.
what do yeu want this timer"
4 want you to send a wire to Red
Butte telling the smeIter people that
you will be glad TO have them handle
the Little Susan ore"
-Anc if do?"
IF you do. two things otherwise due
to happen adversely will 90 over to
your side of the market. IN agree to
keep out of the way Of the sham Wash.
ington delegation, and think can
promise that Harlan won't make a
scarehead of the facts concerning the