Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-12-06
(Continued.)

at the typewriter leaped up and seized
O'Neill from behind.
Steady. Bob!" he shouted. How do
you know this fellow isn't right?''
Unaccountably the warlike one col
lapsed into a chair.
Hang it, l know he's right" he
groaned. "That's what makes me rave.
Why didn't you let me punch him? 1t
would have been some satisfaction. Of
course he's right. l had n hunch this
was blackmailing sheet from the
moment my hot fingers closed on Con
zale's money. But so long as nobody
told us, we were all right"
He glared angrily at Minot.
"You-you killjoy," he cried. "You
skeleton at the feast. You've put us in
a lovely fix"
"Well, I'm sorry" said Minot, "but
l don't understand these heroics.'
"Its all up now. Harry" moaned
O'Neill. 'The free trial is over and
we've got to send the mattress back
to the factory. Here in this hollow lotus
land, ever to live and lie reclined-I
was putting welcome on the mat for
fate like that. Back to the road for
us. That human fish over in the
Chronicle office was a prophet-'You
look unlucky-mayb they'll give you
jobs on the Mall Remember"
"Cool off, Bob" Howe said. He
turned to Minot and Paddock. "of
course you don't understand. You
see, we're strangers here. Drifted in
last night broke and hungry, looking
for Jobs. We got them-under rather
unusual circumstances. Things looked
suspicious-the proprietor parted with
money without screaming for help, and
no regular newspaper is run like that.
But-when you're down and out. you
know
"I understand" said Minot, smiling.
"And I'm sorry I called you what I
did. adologize. And I hate to be
a-er-a killjoy. But as matter of
fact, your employer is blackmailer.
and it's best you should know it."
"Yes," put In Paddock. "Do you
gentlemen happen to have heard where
the editor of Mr. Gonzales late news
paper. published in Havana, is now?"
"We do not" said O'NeiTl. ''but may
be you'll tell u.s."
81 will. He's in prison doing ten
years for blackmaiL / understand that
Mr.. GonZale prefers to involve his
editors, rather than himself e..
O'Neill came over and held out his
hand to Minot.
"Shake, son." he said. Thank God
didn't waste my strength on you.
Gonzale will be in here in a minute"
:"About those letters?" Howe in
quired. =
"Yes," said Minot. "They were writ
ten to a Gaiety actress by man who
is in San Marco for his wedding next
Tuesday-Lord Harrowby."
"His ludship again." O'Neill remark
ed. "Say, always thought the south
was democratic"
"Well,' said Howe, 1--WE owe you
fellows something for putting us
wise. We've stood for good deal, but
never for blackmailing. AS matter of
fact, Gonzale hasn't brought the letters
in vet, but he's due ut any minute.
When he comes. take the letters away
from him, l shan't interfere. How
about you, Bob?"
''Pll interfere" said O'Neill, "and I'll
interfere strong. If think you fellows
amt leaving enough of little Manuel
for me to caress"-
The door opened, and the immacu-
1aH "a L
lessly into the room. His eyes mar
rowed when they fell on the strangers
there.
Are you Manuel Gonzalez" Minot
demanded.
lam" The sly little eyes darted
everywhere.
Proprietor of the Mail?"
yes"
"The gentleman who visited Lord
Harrowby an hour back?"
"Man, man! You're wasting time"
O'Neill cried.
Excuse me-" smiled ,Minot. "Unin-
territorial, l assure YOU" He seized the
little Spaniard suddenly by the collar
Were here for Lord Harrowby's let
ters," he said. His other hand began a
rapid search of Manuel Gonzales pock-
cts.
LET me go, you theft! screamed the
proprietor Of the Mail. He squirmed
and fought. Let me go" He writhed
about to face his editors. "You foolsi
What are you doing. standing there?
Help me-help''-
We're waiting" said O'Neill.
Waiting for our turn. Remember your
promise, son. Enough of him left for
me-"
Minot and his captive slid back and
forth across the floor. The three others
watched, O'Neill in high glee.
go to itr' he cried. That's Nine.
On Dit you're waltzing with. 1 speak
for the next dance. madame"
Mr.. Minot's eager hand came away
from the Spaniard's inner waistcoat
pocket, and in it was a packet of per-
fumed letters. tied with a cute blue
ribbon. He released his victim.
Sorry to be 80 impolite." he said.
But had to have these tonight"
Gonzale turned on him with an evil
glare.
"Thiefr' he cried asI'lI have the In %