The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1916-05-05

was klAu 10 nave some one else uHucT-
take the TASK of removing one OF the
hated and feared name Of Lnrnigan.
At the reception. which a held
that night, Ben and Tom were 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 be Of value later.
While he was SO engaged Traycrs made
d 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 OWL heart
laughed Ayers, entirely without >uSpi-
cion that Ben was only leading him
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 ana smoothcl
it out for Ben to read.
I'D like to meet The man who wrote
that" he 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
ton Larnigan," said Ben. seeming
to be vastly surprised why. my old
partner here is always talking about Il
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 50. the
skunk" he said. saw him tonight"
But he's no friend Of yours. eb?"
chuckled Ayers.
Friend" snapped Tom. mo. sir,'
If you'll excuse your friend I've got
a proposition to make 10 him." said
Ayers silky. He led the way to his
library. Look here" he said. IF
youll bring that man Lalnigan here
to me III pay you 1000, cash down
tonight, That's all ! want. You need
not do anything more.
Easy money said Tom, grinning.
I'll 90 ont now and see if | can find
him."
go. and good luck to YOU" said
Ayers. greatly excited,
Tom, as he reached the street. was
amused.
but | guess Id do well to have
some one with mt if | go back" he
reelected. Il mightn't get in other
wise. and | want to talk with Mr.. G.
Wood Ayers when he's alone"
He hung about for. q time. wishing
he Knew some one who would be will
ing to im%personate him for a few mo-
ments. lie dared not trust a stranger.
He vas afraid that he might encounter
ONE spy. And. while he waited. by
the strangest of condolences he saw an
automobile pass. in the Jack 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-
cious 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.
She was to go with two thugs and
point Tom out to them.
Dorothy, determined to save Bruce's
brother. disguised herself as this wom-
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. 'Tll look after
you"
"Mush 'blished." said the young fell
low. He went along as meekly as il
Tom had been his oldest friend.
Toms plan worked tt perfection.
"Ah. you got him. Good" cried
Ayers. Here. take him in and pitch
him on to that sofa. I'll settle with
you before l talk to you"
Tom obeyed. Then he followed
Ayers into the library.
Keep your money" he said. .'I've
tr1cked you. Mr.. Ayres. It's l that am
Tom Larnigan."
Ayers staggered to his feet.
"You?" he cried. MY God. who Is
the other man."
He leaped for the door. And Tom.
following. saw that the couch had
m%ysteriously closed Suddenly he IN
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
Nn~n 49, No. - .-~AAAl--l- ar