Iron County register., 1916-04-13
CHAPTER xxv.-contInued.

: hulutt. Dut NuO lOiu YOU
Never mind. It's true. isn't it?"
"Yes," the Englishman admitted
gravely-" -"it's true. 1t lies at Bannon's |
door. when alI'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"
"Ah, but on probation only! When
they voted Roddy out l wasn't con-
suited. They kept me in the dark
mostly iatter myself--because they
knew drew the line at murder. II
had known-this you won't believe, OF
course-Roddyd 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 cant play our game with clean
hands" Westhelmer retorted.
Lanyard found no answer to that.
IF you've said all you wished to-"
he suggested, rising. Il can assure you
my answer is final-and go about my
business"
whats your hurry? Sit down.
There's more to say-much more"
"As for instance"
II 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.
Il haven't the slightest curiosity
concerning any of your affairs" he OBJ
served.
But you should have; L could tell
you great many interesting things
that intimately affect your affairs, If |
liked You must understand that
shall hold the balance of power here
from now on"
Congratulations" Lanyard laughed
derisiyely.
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 ilIustrious Bannon's. I've been
appointed his lieutenant-viceG Greggs,
deposed for bungling"
DO you mean to tell me Bannon
controls De Morbihan and Popinot?"
The Englishman smiled indulgently.
III 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 ii were a
child, to be frightened by any such
bogy tale as that?"
Take it or leave it, my friend, The
fact remains. know, il you don't. |
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
perpleEed by this ostensible candor--
Inystihed and mistrustful.
"And then there's this to be consid
cred, from your side" Wertheimer re
sumed with the most businesslike man
ner. "You cen 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 o.
them. Bannon will never cross the
Atlantic again, and you can do prett,
much as you like, within reason-sub
ject to my approval, that is"
II "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. In
not interested-never did care 70
fairy tales"
Don't go yet. There is still muc
to be said on both sides OF our argl
ment."
HAS there been one?"
Besides, promised you news froi
Antwerp"
ITO be sure.n Lanyard said, an
paused, his curiosity at length Ell
gagged.
Wertheimer delved into the breas
pocket of his dress coat and produce
a blue teIegraph-form, handing it
the adventurer.
OF even date. from Antwerp. 1t reat
Underworld, Paris Greggs arres
ed today. boarding steamer for Anne
ica, after desperate struggle. Killt
himself Immediately afterward. Poiso
No confesslon.--Q. O."
"Underworld?' Lanyard queri'
blankly
"Our telegraphic address, of cours
a. 2 is our chief factor in Antwerp.
80 they got Greggsl"
stupid oaf!" Werthelner observe
i've no sympathy to waste on hi
The whole affair was a blundcr.'
But you got Greggs out a
burned Troyon's-"
"Still our friends at the Drefectu
weren't satisfied Something mt
have reused their suspicious"
"You don't know what?'
There must have been leak son
where"
III 30. It would certainly have
the police TO me, after all the pal
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