The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1916-05-05
sneeringly. Leave this man to me.

was SlAu 10 nave some one else unueF-
take the task OF removing one OF the
hated and feared name Of L%arnigan.
At the reception. which was held
that night, Ben and Tom We're late in
arriving. But Tom, making good use
Of his eyes and his ears alike, man
aged to pick up some information that
seemed likely to he Of value later.
While he was so engaged T~ravcrs made
a point OF talking to Ayers and eA-
pressed great sympathy with the tex
tile magnate III connection with the
labor troubles at his mills.
The better you treat EN- the more
they want" said Ben in pursuance OF
his plan to catch Ayers off his guard.
Il believe i'll sweating them. Work
ing people are meant to work, not to
strike for more money"
You're Il man after my own heart
laughed Ayers, entirely without suspi-
cion that Ben was only leading him
on. why. they've even begun to
threaten me personally. Look here!
Here's Il letter | got the other day"
From his pocket he pulled the note
that Tom had sent him and smoothcd
it out for Ben to read.
I'D like to meet the man who wrote
that be snarled I'D show him
whether or not it was safe to threaten
me, the hound. But he'll keep out OF
my way. you'll see
Tom Larnigan," said Ben. seeming
to be vastly surprised. why. my old
partner here is always talking about a
man Of that name. Maybe he can find
him for you Shall l ask him.
Ayers nodded. And Tom. coming
MP. grinned sourly at the sight Of the
note.
"know him? l should say SO. the
skunk" he said. Saw him tonight"
But he's no friend Of yours. eb?"
chuckled Ayers,
"Friend: snapped Tom. No. SIR
IF you'll excuse your friend I've got
a proposition to make to him" said
Ayers silky. He led the way to his
library. Look here" he said. "If
youll bring that mar Larnigan here
to me III pay you $1,000. cash down
ioiil-I't NJ > al : whit. lou Ittt
not do anything more"
"EaSy money! said Tom, grinning.
I'll 80 out now and see if | can find
him."
Go. and good tuck to you said
Ayers. greatly excited.
Tom, as he reached the street. was
amused.
SD, r,hn. ~ 1~ ,sNII 49, Iax.~
some one with me if | so back" he
reelected. II mightn't get in other
wise. and | want to talk with Mr.. G.
Wood Ayers when he's alone"
He hung about for "a time. wishing
he knew ONE one who would be Will
ing to impersonate him for q few mo-
ments. He dared not trust a stranger.
lie was afraid that he might encounter
some spy. And. while he waited. by
the strangest Of condolences he saw an
automobile pass. in the back seat of
which sat Dorothy Maxwell. Had he
only known the truth he would have
stopped that car at the risk Of his own
life.
For in it Dorothy was going to save
him. as she believed. Deeply susri-
ciouso Of Stone. she had been watching
him. and she had learned that Stone.
afraid that Ayers would fail. had sent
Dunn. the successor Of the dead bully.
Black. to attack Tom at Lyndham.
One of his women spies had spotted
Tom. and had reported after Ayers
had promised to take care Of Tom.
St1n vyn, 10 co vri<b $-,a <l,,-. --I
point Tom out to them.
Dorothy, determined to save Bruce's
brother. disguised herself as this WON
an and succeeded in being taken along
in the car in her place. 1t was as she
set out upon this errand that Tom saw
her, and sneered at the sight OF her,
since he had recognized her at once.
However. he dismissed Dorothy from
his mind. And at last he decided to
risk returning alone to Ayres' house.
Until. as he neared IT.. he came upon
a young man Keeling. plainly helpless
from drink.
THE very man." thought Tom.
Here. bucko." he said. taking the
young fellows arm. "Ill look after
you"
"Mush 'blished." said the young fell
low. He vent along as meekly AS il
Tom had been his oldest friend.
Toms plan worked to perfection.
"Ah. you got him. Good cried
Ayers. Here. take him in and pitch
him on to that sofa. Ill settle with
you before I talk to YOU"
Tom obeyed. Then he followed
Ayers into the library.
keep your money" he said. 1--WE
tricked you. MI. Ayres. It's l that am
Tom L%arnigan."
Ayers staggered to his feet.
your" he cried. my God. who is
the other MANI"
He leaped for the door. And Tom.
following. saw that the couch had
m~ysteriously closed. Suddenly he un-
derstood. The sofa was q murder
couch" designed to close and kill its
occupant! 1t was murder Ayers had
planned-the murder Of an innocent
man thOk Tnun md ,rrp1%%l~~l- toIn