Meade County news., 1916-06-15
CHAPTER xxv-contInued.

-12-
Poor DEVIL" Wertheimer said gen
tly. "That was sickening business
admit. But who told you"
Never mind. It's true, isn't it?"
"Yes," the Englishman admitted
gravely-"it's true. 1t lies at Bannon's
door, when all'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 1 wasn't con-
suited. They kept me in the dark
MOSTLY fiatter myself-because they
knew I drew the line at murder. If
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 can't play our game with clean
hands," Wertheimer retorted.
Lanyard found no answer to that.
IF you've said all you wished to-"
he suggested, rising, II 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
q 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.
II haven't the slightest curiosity
concerning any Of your affairs" he OBJ
served.
but you should have; could tell
you q great many interesting things
that intimately affect your affairs, If I
liked. You must understand that 1
shall 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
America-the whole works."
by what warrant?"
1.-THE illustrious Bannon's. I've been
appointed his lieutenant-vice 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 1t, 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 It, my friend. The
fact remains. know, II you don't.
confess l 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-
mysti1ed and mistrustful.
"And then there's this to be consid.
cred, from your side," Wertheimer re-
sumed with the most businesslike man.
ner. "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-
5ect 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 1t go at that. I'm
not interested-never did care for
fairy tales"
Don't go yet. There is still much
to be said on both sides of our argu
ment."
HAS there been one?"
Besides, promised you news from
Antwerp"
ITO be sure" Lanyard said, and
paused, his curiosity at length en-
gagged.
Wertheimer delved into the breast
pocket Of his dress coat and produced
blue telegraph-form, handing it t
the adventurer.
OF even date, from Antwerp. 1t read
Underworld, Paris: Greggs arrest
I'd today, boarding steamer for Amer
7cl, after desperate struggle. Killec
himself immediately afterward. foisor
No confessions Q. O."
"Unde5worldf" Lanyard queries
hlanklx.