The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-12

happens, no matter what threats
they may shower on me-"
I'm afraid they're going to
shower more than threats. But I'm
serious for once when I say, what
ever you do, don't let them get that
young woman away from you!"
Ten minutes ago man claiming
to be a meter inspector got entrance
to the house. The servants accepted
his uniform as authentic. He got to
the room where the girl had been
sent to dress. He dragged her down
through the halls before he could
be interfered with. He got her out
through the door and into a waiting
car, a car without a number, before
any fool around here made a step to
stop him. Do you hear me, they've
taken that girl! She's gone!"
Gomez" echoed Manley. Then /
haven't time to stand here talking.
For here's where I get busy again!"
Yet Enoch Golden, even as Manley
himself, had little time for talking
over that strange abduction. For
two minutes later his still fiurrted
butler announced the arrival OF
James Griswold, the president of the
Union-TraderS' Bank, on urgent BUSH
ness Golden ordered that his visitor
be admitted.
Golden began that visitor almost
as soon as he had crossed the thresh-
old, Il have counted myself among
your friends. / have even, shut my
eyes to this absurd newspaper agita-
ton against your tenement holdings.
Il have ignored q number of sour
rilous insinuations which nave come
unsigned through the mails to me.
But when / receive note ike tnlss
threatening me and my business, re-
gard it as about time to see you race
to face"
Golden took the sheet of paper from
the bankers hand. He stood regard
ing it with troubled eyes. For 1t read:
"You are a friend Of Enoch Golden,
the oppressor of the poor, the scaven-
ger of unclean gold. The blow that is
about to fall ON you and your bank
falls because of this alliance with
eyildoers. You are warned"
The grim jawed millionaire turned
on his visitor.
"And you, Griswold, let some stink
ing coward frighten you with a threat
like this.A
"Stop!" commanded Griswold.. THAT
is not all. Nor Ia this afternoons
paper. with it's bitter attack on you
and your, tenements all. But three
hours later my fellow banker.
Gresham of the Third National, re-
ceived a warning identical with mine.
and already the building Of the Third
National Bank is in flames! And
what want to know, sir. is the mean
ing Of 1t ALI"
The telephone bell interrupted
Golden as ne was about to speak.
Eyes. this Is Mr.. Golden's house.
Yes. Mr.. Golden Is here. What's
thatY' He leaned forward for q mo-
ment. listening. Then the receives
fell from his fiaccid hand. my GOD.
c,riswold. your building is on f1rel
ThI Union Traders Bank Is burn.
ing!"
so it camel" cried the white-faceo
banker as he caught UP his hat ano
started for the door. He stopped only
for an instant, before strfding ou'
of that door. eff this is what youl
friendship costs, Golden, I want nc
more of it," And the next minute
he was hurrying from the house and
leaping into his waiting limousine.
Golden, sitting at his desk. stared
startled and vacant-eyed before him
Yet that young secretary who wal
SO fooiishly accepted as feather
headed was, in the time being. any
thing but idle Ten minutes after
his talk over the wire with Colder
he was in a taxicab speeding TOWARD
the Steiner house on Maple avenue