The Cook County news-herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Cook County, Minn.) 1909-current, 1916-05-03

! Only what the directory tells, and
directories don't deal in really init
mate details OF biography, you know.
There's quite an assortment OF Will
liam H. Robinsons, but the one who
lives at the Caronia appears to be a
commission merchant on Pearl street.
AS the Caronia Is one Of the most ele-
CANT and quite the most enormous OF
those small cities within themselves
which we call apartment houses, l
take it that Mr.. Robinson is well-to-
do, and probably married. You can
ask him, yourself. If you like. He's
due any moment, now"
Promptly, as befitted a business
man, Mr.. William H. Robinson arrived
on the stroke of twelve. He was
well-made, well-dressed citizen of for
ty-tlve, who would have been wholly
ordinary save for one popularity. In
room more than temporarily cool he
was sweating profusely, and that, de-
spite the fact that his light overcoat
was on his arm. He darted a glance
at Bertram, then turned to Average
Jones.
Il had hoped for a private inter-
view," he said in high piping voice.
"Mr Bertram is my friend and busi-
ness conf1dant.'
VERY good. You-you have read
it,"
"Yes."
"Then- then-then-' The visitor
fumbled, with nerveless fingers, at his
tightly buttoned cutaway coat and,
after moments effort, drew a paper
from his inner pocket which he placed
on the desk. It was certified check
for one hundred dollars, made pay
able to A. Jones.
There's the rest of thousand
ready, if you can help me-" he said.
We'll talk of that later" said the
prospective beneficiary. "Sit tight
cable now" piped the other in his
shrill voice. I'm ashamed of myself,
gentlemen, but the strain I've been
under When you've heard my
story"
Just moment, please" interrupt
ed Average Jones, "let me get at this
my own way. What are the some
things that are worse than death?"
Mr.. Robinson shook his head. Il
haven't the slightest notion in the
world"
Nor Of the short cut which you
are advised to take?'
Il suppose it means suicide" He
paused for a moment. They can't
drive me to that-unless they drive
me crazy first" He wiped the sweat
from under his eyes, breathing hard.
What are 'they'?"
Mr.. Robinson shook his head. "Mr;
Jones, give you my word of honor
as l hope to be saved from this perse.
cution, I don't know any more thai
yourself what it MEANS
"Then-er-I am-er-to believe,
replied Jones, drawing, as he always
did when interest, in his mind, was
verging on excitement, that simple
blind threat like this-er-without
any backing from your own conscience
-er-could shake you-er-as this
has done? Why, Mr.. Robinson, the
thing-er-may be-er-only a raw
practical joke"
But the others!" cried the visitor
His face changed and fell. II believe
am going crazy he groaned. 81
didn't tell you about the Others
Diving into his oyercoat' pocket he
drew out a packet of letters which he
placed on the desk with sort of dis
NAL flourish.
Read those!" he cried.
'"Presently." Average Jones rar
rapidly over the eight envelopes
With one exception, each bore the i'm
print of some firm name made familiar
by extensive advertising. All the en-
velopes were of scottish manila paper
varying in grade and hue, under one
cent stamps.
(Which is the first of the series p
he asked.
1T isn't among those. Unfortunate
ly it was lost, by stupid servant 8
mistake, pin and ALL
"Pin?"
Eyes. Where I cut open the On
velope-"
wait moment. You say you cut
it open. All these, being one-cent
postage, must have come unsealed
Was the first different
Eyes. 1t had a two-cent stamp. II
was circular announcement of the
Swift-Reading Encyclopedia, in a
sealed envelope. There was a pin
bent over the fold of the letter SC
you couldn't help but notice it. 1te
head was stuck through the blank
part of the circular. Leading from ii
were three very small pins arranged
as pointer to the message
do you remember the message?'
"Could I forget it! It was pricked
out quite small on the blank fold OF
the paper. It said: Make the most
of your freedom. Your time is short
Call at General Delivery, Main P. O..
for your warning"
"You went there?"
"The next day"