The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-02-12

Il ~
one on Washington Street. Father
Lacey says must get them back to
Kenly. So will you please take them
to him, Mister Mcsrath. know !
can trust you. Good-by, Mister Mac
/ grath.
yours truly,
"The Bantam-Joe Hollins."
McGrath put the letter in his vest
pocket before he drew from the envel-
ope the bundle of papers that the
Bantam had enclosed. He spread them
open on the table with quick and fur
tive caution, shielding their contents
from the curious eyes of the three
| other reporters who waited for Bel
denis assignments for the day. Cur
ran, who had gone to school with him
fatTthe old Jesuit College on the West
/ Side. laughed at the gesture, familiar
to him from the days when Frank Nc
Grath had hidden Deadwood Dick"
behind massive. Biographies. McGrath
Eporing over the sheets of figures
! tried to keep his face from betraying
| the Rmazement and dawning excite
ment that we're stirring in his brain.
For the Bantanl's trust to him held.
the proof of Cornelius Kenlys dishpn-
esty that he, Frank McGrath, had been
seeking for twelve years!
Il Be1den, searching the room for some
lettering reporter, sighted McGrath's
intent consideration of the bundle of
papers. He called to him from the
city desk. McGrath, rising, folded the
sheets of the Kenly documents, put the
bundle in his pocket and sauntered
across the room. Belden, scowled at
him. Prawl, the managing editor, lik-
ing McGrath none the less for the lat
ter's staggering dislike of Belden,
smiled. There's clothesline row in
Hegewisch," the city editor began, as
/ McGrath came alongside the city desk.
Praw1, seeing McGrath's face darken
under Belden's sneer, lifted his voice
till it struck the staccato sharpness
that made it note command. "Mr.
Belden,. he called, 'IWant McGrath to
undertake mission for me-
] McGrath, trying Etc hide his pleasure
in Be1den's discontinue, went across
Itos Praw1' S desk with a manner that
sought to express trepidation. Every
imam on the staff liked Prawl well
enough to hu1nour his idea that he in.
lspired terror into their hearts when he
summoned them to conference. Nc
Grath strove to gaze at him solemnly
as the little man jerked out his SEN
fences. "Mr. McGrath," he was saying,
Il want you to undertake an important
mission for us, yes, a very important
mission"
McGrath nodded. Prawl's "mis-
sions" were always important to the
little managing editor, even though
they might appear errands for any
humanity intelligent copy boy. 'I'm
giving this to you," he went on earn
! estly; because have reason to be-
i lieye that you'll take certain personal
satisfaction in it's fulfilment. Mr.. Nc
j Grath," he lowered his voice to the
depths of confidential conversation,
I'VE have decided to go after Cornelius
j Kenly. Mr.. Curran tells me that you
have some personal grievance against
him Ours lis not4a personal grievances.
i We believe, however, that he is MEN,
ACE to our local government. Cornelius
/ Kenlysis a CRATER, Mr.. McGrath. You
know that. know that. Everybody
/ knows that But no one has ever set
tout to secure actual sproof of his graft
ing. Now, that's what we want you to
do. Wen give you free rein for a
month on this one, assignment. You
are to go on Cornelius Kenly's trail.
You are to stay there until you secure
evidence that will justify us in bring
ing action against him. Spare no ex-
pense Only remember, it must be
evidence"
McGFath's hand went almost iRVel-
unfairly to the pocket of his coat
where the Bantam's letter reposed. For
an instant he held the thought of fash
ing upon little Prawl the evidence of
Kenly's guilt in one of the most flag
rantly vicious political scandals of the
many with which the politicians name
had been associated. Then the realiza-
ton that he might win greater credit
by seeming to have sought the mate
rial halted him. Cali right, sir" he
told Prawl.
The managing editor looked over the
back of Belden's head. I'm not given
to- promising rewards" he said, "but
lifi Mr.. zBelden should decide that he
might not want to stay with us much
: longer, the city desk will go to the
man who does us the greatest service.
And the man who does us the greatest
service is the man who will give us
the facts that will send Cornelius Ken.
ly to Joliet" T4
| McGrath's eyes, afiame with the
thrill of imminent success, shouted
their own message to Curran as the
reporter went back to the table. What
do you draw" the other inquired.
"Kenly,' said McGrath. Curran
whistled. into the hands of the
enemy" he quoted. 'If l were Cornell
ius Kenly, I'd begin to lie awake
nights. wonder if he knows that
fate's put bloodhound on his trail "
"He probably never heard of me, .
said McGrath. "Then he's the only
man in town who doesn't know that
you've sworn a. vendetta against him.
Seems to me-" Curran laughed, that
you've been nursing that idea ever
since I've known YOU ct brought