The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1916-04-11
CHAPTER xXV.-Continued.

grayely-"it's true. 1t lies at Bannon's
door, when all's said Perhaps you
won't believe me, but it's fact | didn't
know positively who was responsible
till tonight"
You don't really expect me to be-
lieve that? You were pretty thick with
that gang"
All but on probation only! When
they voted Roddy out | wasn't con-
suited. They kept me in the dark
mostly fatter myself-because they
knew / drew the line at murder. If
had known-this you won't believe, of
course-Roddy'd be alive today"
I'd like to believe you" Lanyard
admitted But when you ask me to
sign articles with that vicious assas-
sin
You can't play our game with clean
hands Wertheimer retorted.
Lanyard found no answer to that.
If you've said ali you wished to-"
my answer is final-and go about my
business"
What's your hurry? Sit down.
There's more to say-much more"
AS for instance"
4 had fancy you might like to put
question or two"
Lanyard shook his head; it was
plain to him that Wertheimer designed
to draw him out through his interest
in Lucy Shannon.
i haven't the slightest curiosity
concerning any of your affairs, he OBJ
served
But you should have; | could tell
you a great many interesting things
that intimately affect your affairs, if I
liked You must understand that
shall hold the balance of power here
from now on"
Congratulations! Lanyard laughed
derisively
No joke, my dear chap. I've been
promoted over the heads of your
friends, De Morbihan and Popinot, and
shall henceforth be-as they say in
America-the whole works
by what warrant"
The illustrous Bannons. I've been
appointed his lieutenant-vice Greggs,
deposed for bungling."
DO you mean to tell me Bannon
controls De Morbihan and Popinot?"
The Englishman smiled indulgently
IF you didn't know it, he's comman-
der in chief Of our allied forces, the
presiding genius of the International
Underworld, Unlimited
Bosh." cried Lanyard contemptu-
ously. why talk to me as if | were
child. TO be frightened by any such
bogy tale as that?"
Take it or leave it, my friend. The
fact remains | know, if you don't. l
confess | didn't till tonight; but I've
learned some things that have opened
my eyes. You see, we had table in a
quiet corner at the Cafe de la Paix,
and since the old mans sailing for
home before long. it was naturally
time for him to unbosom himself rath-
er thoroughly to the one he leaves to
act for him in London and Paris. |
never suspected our power before he
began to talk.
Lanyard, watching the man closely,
would have sworn he had never seen
one more sober. He was indescribably
perpIaxed by this ostensible candor-
mystified and mistrustful.
And then there's this to be consid-
cred, from your side" Wertheimer re-
sumed with the most businesslike man.
ner. you can work with us without
being obliged TO deal in any way with
the old man or De Morbihan or Popi-
not; you need never speak to either of
them. Bannon will never cross the
Atlantic again. and you can do pretty
much as you like, within reason-sub-
ject to my approval that is
"One of us is mad" Lanyard COM
mented profoundly.
One of us is blind to his best inter-
ests," Wertheimer amended with en-
tire good humor.
Perhaps. Let it go at that. I'm
not interested did care for
fairy tales"
Don't go yet. There is still much
ment"
Has there been one?"
Besides, | promised you news from
Antwerp"
ITO be sure Lanyard said. and
paused, his curiosity at length en-
gagged.
Wertheimer delved into the breast
pocket Of his dress coat and produced
8 blue telegraph form, handing it to
che adyeuturer
Of even date, from Antwerp, it read:
Underworld Paris: Greggs arrest
ed today, boarding steamer for Amer
lea. after desperate struggle. Killed
himself Immediately afterward. Poison.
No confession-Q. %
Underworld" Lanyard queried
blankly.
Our Geographic address, of course.
@. ? is our chief factor in Antwerp"
so they got Greggs,"
Stupid oaf." Wertheimer observed;
1--WE no sympathy to waste on him.
The whole affair was a blunder"
But you got Greggs out and
burned Troyon's-''
Still our friends at the prefecture
weren't satisfied Something must
have reused their suspicious"
You don't know WHAT"
There must have been a leak some