Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-20

The Moment Her Coach Pulled
Abreast of the Last Box Car
she Jumped.
Rhinelander read the note aloud very
three were silent Had they possessed
the gift of vision, there might have
risen before them at that moment the
| picture of a great stone quarry In which
many men in a tell-tale gang OF convicts
were moving about their work; they
might have seen a man tamping beneath
an overhanging ledge and a huge rock,
breaking unseen above his head. crushing
him to the ground they would have seen
his startled companions running in with
the guards to pick the injured convict
up. And they would have seen the same
man lying on a cot in the hospital, man
sitting beside him taking down his con-
fession, while the warden directed a
guard to bring the convict known as
Spike into the room; and while the dying
criminal spoke on they would have seen
Spike standing at his side as the guard
over Spikes shoulder they might have
read the words:
II struck General Holmes in that fight.
Spike did not touch him at ALL"
Rhinelander handed the letter to Helen.
She stood deeply moved. Her two
friends respected her silence. She looked
UP after a time II never could be-
lieve," she said simply. that Spike
killed my father.
Seagrue, in his apartment. was still
chagrined over the loss of what he had
believed TO be a worthless mine. but
which had already became known ell
over Nevada as the richest gold-bear-
ing property on the great Superstition
range. He had not yet abandoned his
hope of recovering through some clever
trick the property that he had parted
with for what now seemed a paltry sum,
and his mind was set on regaining con-
troll of II. He was now studying the
bill Of sale that signalized his loss of
the property. He presently took up a
pen and wrote out a dispatch:
Amos Rhinelander. Superstition Mine:
Quarterly payment Superstition mine
dine tomorrow. SEAGRUE.
He read the message over the second
time, and, seeming satisfied, called
servant and babe him dispatch it.
Storm and Helen were with Rhine
lander when the telegram was handed
to him at the mine. Rhinelander showed
It to his companions.
81 think I will draw the money from
the bank and go to town with it in the
morning" said Rhinelander, studying the
substance OF the message.
"Why not take him n cheekT' sue-
Sested Storm.
Rhineiande- reflected a moment. THAT
would be all right with any ordinary
man. But we're dealing with an ex-
traordinary one This contract is drawn
very precisely and It calls for the pay
ment OF these amounts at specified per-
iods. Time IL. in fact, the essence Of
this contract. and IL go down there with
check. Seagrue might refuse II on a
technically. A check would not be a
LEGAL tender of the sum stipulated.
George, and I cannot afford 20 take any
chances with seagrue. Especially. since
we find the mine is worth millions in
stead OF hundreds OF thousands"
Helen interviewed: let me go with
you" she exclaimed, land I can start
Spike for the mine when he leaves the
| Jail. I should hate to see him get mixed
up with any more crooks when he gets
out"
Rhinelander assented. and writing out
an answer to seagrue's message. read It
to Storm before he gave 1t to a messen-
| ger:
Earl seague Albemarle Apartments.
Oceanside; VIII make payment on time.
In on the morning passenger.
"RHINELANDER."
l ~ ~
without much citation. He continued
thoughtful, and as Adams. his servant
was leaving. called him back, asked for
his hat and coat. and. accompanied by
the man. left the apartment.
Directing his steps up the street Sea
grue made his way to a quarter of the
town less noted for it's attractiveness
than for its reputation as a haunt OF
men Of doubtful character. Having
reached the vicinity he desired-a shab bS
and deserted side street.-the looked about
TO see whether he was observed. and. per
ceiving no one. started down an obscure
alley He knocked at the door of q
Weatherbesten house standing close e
the street. a man opened the door
seagrue, followed by Adams. went Inside
Ward" said seagrue, addressing the
seoviing occupant OF the room. I've go
a job for you
The man addressed as Ward, a swar
thy. beetle-browed adventurer, scrutinizeC
seasrue silently at the intimation.
Il know you're sore" continued Sea,
gras. Eat the way the last sob went" h
added. recalling the incident of the steal
ing OF Rhinelander's payroll. But thai
wasn't your fault OF mine"
Ward, without answering. continued e
regard him askanee. seagrue unfolded