The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1916-04-28
CHAPTER xxV.-cOntInued.

yes" the Englishman admitted
gravely-"it's true. It lies at Bannon's
door, when alps 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 | wasn't con-
suited. They kept me in the dark
MOSTLY fatter myself-because they
knew drew the line at murder II /
had known-this you won't believe. OF
lourse-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-"
ne suggested, rising, Il can assure you
my answer is hnal-and go about my
business.
What's your hurry? Sit down.
There's more to say-much more"
AS for instance"
Il had fancy you might like to put
a 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.
"Bvt you should have; | could tell
you 4 great many interesting things
thaS intimately AFFECT your affairs, if
likei. You must understand that
shsll hold the balance of power here
from now on"
Congratulations" 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
Amorica-the whole works"
by what warrant?"
The illustrious Bannon's. I've been |
appointed his lieutenant-vice Greggs, |
deposed for bungling"
DO you mean to tell me Bannon |
controls De ATorbihan 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 a
child, to be frightened by any such
bogy tale as that?"
Take it or leave 1t, my friend. The
fact remains. know, if 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
perplexed by this ostensible candor-
mystifled and mistrustful.
And then there's this to be consid-
cred, from your side" Wertheimer re-
sumed with the most businesslike man
Der 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-never did care for
fairy tales S
Don't go yet There is still much I
tC be said on both sides of our argu- I
ment." t
Has there been one?"
Besides, | promised you news from Il
o
ITO be sure" Lanyard said, and c
paused, his curiosity at length en-
gagged a
Wertheimer delved into the breast o
pocket of his dress coat and produced Il
4 blue telegraph-form, handing it to ls
he adventurer.
OF even date, from Antwerp, 1t read: L
underworld, Paris: Greggs arrest n
ID today, boarding steamer for Amer al
ca, after desperate struggle. Killed 81
himself Immediately afterward. Poison L
No confession.-Q. O."
Underworld" Lanyard querieN a.
,lankly. b.
Our telegraphic address, of course. r'
Q. 2 is our chief factor In Antwerp" pi
so they got Greggs!" is
Stupid oaf" Wertheimer observed; to
I've no sympathy to waste on him. R
The whole affair was a blunder." ST
But you got Greggs out and in
,urned TrOyons--" tn
still our friends at the prefecture tn
7erent satisfied Something must te
ave reused their suspicious"
You don't know what?" WI
There must have been a leak some III
yhere--" m
''lf So 1t would certainly have led br
he police to me, after all the pains tn
- - / a