The log cabin Democrat., 1916-04-27


 mate details of biography, you know. There's quite an assortment of Will liam H. Robinsons, but the one who lives at the Caronia appears to be a commission merchant on Pearl street. AS the Caronia is one of the most ele- gant and quite the most enormous of those small cities within themselves which we call apartment houses, take it that MT. Robinson is well-to- do, and probably married. You can ask him, yourself, if you like. He's due any moment, now"
 Promptly, as befitted a business man, MT. William H. Robinson arrived on the stroke of twelve. He was a well-made, well-dressed citizen of for ty-fiVe, who would have been wholly ordinary save for one peculiarity. In room more than temperately cool he was sweating profusely, and that, de- spite the fact that his light overcoat was on his arm. He darted a glance at Bertram, then turned to Average Jones'
 T had hoped for private inter. view" he said in high piping voice.
 MT Bertram is my friend and busi- ness contidant'
 'Very good. You-you have read it?"
 "Yes."
 "Then-then-then-' The visitor fumbled, with nerveless fingers, at his tightly buttoned cutaway coat and, after moments effort, drew a paper from his inner pocket which he placed on the desk. It was a certified check for one hundred dollars, made pay able to A. Jones.
 There's the rest of a thousand ready, if you can help me-" he said.
 We'll talk of that later" said the prospective beneficiary. "Sit tight until you're able to answer questions"
 Able now" piped the other in his shrill voice. I'm ashamed of myself, gentlemen, but the strain I've been under When you've heard my story"
 Just a moment, please" interrupt ed Average Jones, "let me get at this my own way. What are the some things that are worse than death?"
 MT. Robinson shook his head. "I haven't the slightest notion in the world.'
 Nor of the short cut which you are advised to take?'
 T suppose it means suicide" He paused for moment They cant drive me to that-unless they drive me crazy first" He wiped the sweat from under his eyes. breathing hard.
 What are 'they'?"
 Mir Robinson shook his head "Mr Jones, 1 give you my word of honor, as l hope to be saved from this perse- cution, 1 don't know any more than yourself what 1t means"
 ''Then-er-I am-er-to believe" replied Jones, drawling, as he always did when interest, in his mind, was verging on excitement, that a simple blind threat like without any backing from your osvn conscience -er-could shake you-er-as this has done? Why, MT. Robinson, the thing-er-may be-er-only a raw practical joke"
 But the others!" cried the visitor His face changed and fell, T believe am going crazy" he groaned. T didn't tell you about the others.'
 Diving into his overcoat pocket he drew out a packet of letters which he placed on the desk with sort of dis nal flourish.
 Read those!" he cried.
 "Presently" Average Jones ran rapidly over the eight envelopes. With one exception, each bore the inn print of some firm name made familiar by extensive advertising. All the en- velopes were of softish manila paper varying in grade and hue, under one cent stamps.
 Which Is the first of the series?" he asked.
 Tt isn't among those. Unfortunate ly it was lost, by stupid servants s mistake, pin and all"
 "Pin?"
 fes. where l cut open the en- velope-"
 Wait a moment You say you cut it open. All these, being one-cent postage, must have come unsealed Was the first different
 Yes. It had two-cent stamp. It was a circular announcement of the Swift-Reading Encyclopedia, in a sealed envelope. There was a pin bent over the fold of the letter so you couldn't help but notice it. It's head was stuck through the blank part of the circular. Leading from it were three very small pins arranged as pointer to the message"
 Do you remember the message?"
 Could I forget it! It was pricked out quite small on the blank fold of the paper. It said: Make the most of your freedom. Your time Is short. Call at General Delivery, Main P. O., for your warning"
 You went there?"
 "Tha DeYt davn