Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1916-05-06
CHAPTER xxv-continued.

/
I admit. But who told you"
Never mind. It's true. isn't ft?"
"Yes." the Englishman admitted
gravely-'it's true. 1t lies at Bannon's
door, when alPs said. Perhaps you
won't believe me, but it's a fact didn't
know positively who was responsible
till tonight"
"You don't really expect me to be-
neve that? You were pretty thick with
that gang"
"Ah, but on probation only! When
they voted Roddy out 1 wasn't con-
suited They kept me in the dark
mostly flatter myse1f-because they
knew drew the line at murder. If 1.
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 all you wished to-"
he suggested, rising, 81 can assure you
my answer is final-and go about my
business"
Whats your hurry? Sit down.
There's more to say-much more"
las for instance"
II had fancy you might like to put
q 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.
81 haven't the slightest curiosity
concerning any of your affairs" he OBJ
served.
"But you should have; I could tell
you a great many interesting things
that Intimately affect your affairs, if I
liked. You must understand that I
shall hold the balance of power here
from now on"
"Congratulations!"L Lanyard laughed
derisively.
mo 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"
1.-THE illustrious Bannon's. I've been
appointed his lieutenant-vi Greggs,
deposed for bungling.'
do you mean to tell me Damon
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"
"Boshi" cried Lanyard contemptu-
ously. "Why talk to me as If were a
child, to be frightened by any such
bogy tale as that?'
Take it or leave it, my friend. The
fact remains. I know, if you don't l
confess l 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
perplexed 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-
! tect to my approval, that is"
"One of us is mad Lanyard COM
mented profoundly
l
ests," Wertheimer amended with en-
tire good humor.
Perhaps. Let it go at that. I'm
not Observation-Disclosures did care for
fairy tales"
Don't go yet There is still much
to be said on both sides of our argu-
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
q blue telegraph-form, handing it &c
the adventurer.
OF even date. from Antwerp, it read:
Underworld, Paris: Greggs arrest
Cd today, boarding steamer for Amer
lea, after desperate struggle. Killed
himself Immediately afterward- Poison
No coAfession-Q. 2"