Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-01-19

"How active are you willing to be?" in
qured Bozzam.
and it was stuffed with big bills, thou
sands and five hundreds. Keene esti-
mates that he must have had $4,000
with him.
why don't the stock go down." de-
manded Sledge, the accusing look this
time boring into Bendix.
Il pass" declared Bendix, turning
both palms upward. I've had stuff in
the papers every day about the new
equipment and better schedules and
the general Gripping of the old line,
but in place Of going down to twenty
FIVE the stocks around thirty seven
now. and at that l can only find lit
tie of 1t. After a hard days work
chasing 1t down yesterday I picked up
less than 100 shares. We started after
the control too late"
"Who's buying it?"
"Cheap young brokers and has beens
whom we haven't kept in line. They
won't say who it's for, except that it's
scattering orders. The general impress
sion seems to be gaining ground that,
no matter what happens, the stock is
bound to be worth more than thirty
five. Spectators have grabbed it, 1
guess"
They'd make a noise" objected
Sledge, glaring down at the cuspidor,
which, in this room, took the place Of
the hand hole in the gate as a source Of
inspiration.
How about BoZZam"
1--WE tried my best to trace some
thing back to his crowd, but I can't
find connection any place"
Sledge was silent for a moment.
"Bozzam's In it." he said decisively.
Il don't like to think So" defended
BendiX. HE seems to work clean"
You found him." explained Sledge.
Hes in it. He's a crook"
Even Bendix grinned.
u don't deny that, but he's too wise
to start anything with you. That's
what bank on
He thinks I'm on the PAN" judged
Sledge. Hes stranger
Davis came in.
I'VE have telephoned all the banks"
he reported. None of them has made
any recent loans to Mr.. Marley nor
have any checks been drawn in his IA
vor"
''Hunhw grunted Sledge He stolid-
~ walked out Of the Office, followed
by Bendix. and climbed into his wait
ing runabout. over which the crossing
policeman stood guard. Don't buy
any more stock" he directed Bendix
and drove off. Sell it."
He strobe into the offices of the trac.
ton company and stopped at Hunts
desk.
Marley drawn any money here?" he
| wanted to know.
His salary" replied Hunt, fawning
servilely on the big man who stood at
his side.
10 nc SeHlliS any sloCh!
Not that know of, sir?'
Making any FASH"
Not particularly. He has been whis-
ting"
Making any threats?"
| Not that l heard"
"Hunh. and Sledge turned from the
desk. Anybody in with him."
Il think his daughter, SIR" smirked
Hunt, "and Mr.. Glider, unless they
have gone out the other way"
Sledge looked down at his lapel. The
red rose was an excellent specimen ex-
cept that it had one struggling petal in
which was a worm hole. He jerked off
that petal and walked unannounced
into Marley's office, pausing just inside
the door, struck dumb by tableau be.
ing enacted at the opposite entrance.
Bert Glider, in the act of departing.
was kissing Molly goodby, and Marley,
at his desk, was looking on uncon-
cernedly Bert grinned impudently at
Sledge and departed. Molly grinned
tantalizingly at him and sat In the big
leather chair opposite her father. Mar.
ley grinned cheerfully and offered him
cigar.
Fine weather." he observed.
who give out the dope about extend.
ing the Ridgewood avenue liney"
Sledge gruffly wanted to know.
81 did," returned Marley calmly. az
thought it might help the price Of my
stock. It's been going down of late"
who gave you the word?'
Il didn't need it." Marley reminded
him. I'm still president Of the road,
you know"
I've called 1t off," Sledge informed
| him. You got no franchise"
Il beg your pardon" Marley smiling.
ly interrupted. THE original fran
| chise granted line to the end of Gracs
street When 1t was cut through ia
connect with Ridgewood avenue the
authorization Of tha cut and all tia