The Tomahawk., 1916-05-04

mate details Of biography, you knox.
There's quite an assortment of VIII
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-
CANT and quite the most enormous OF
those small cities within themselves
which we call apartment houses,
take it that Mr.. 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 business
man, Mr. William H. Robinson arrived
on the stroke Of twelve. He was
well-made, well-dressed citizen of for
ty-five, who would have been wholly
ordinary save for one peculiarly. In
a room more than temporarily 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.
Il had hoped for private inter.
view," he said in high piping voice.
"Mr Bertram is my friend and bust
ness confidant.'
Every good. You-you have read
it?
ayes"
"Then-then-then- The visitor
fumbled, with nerveless fingers, at his
tightly buttoned cutaway coat and,
after a moments effort, drew a paper
from his inner pocket which he placed
on the desk. 1t was a certified check
for one hundred dollars, made pay
able to A. Jones.
There's the rest of thousand
ready, if you can help me-" he said.
well 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"
Mr., Robinson shook his head. Il
haven't the slightest notion in the
world"
Nor of the short cut which you
are advised to take?'
II suppose it means suicide" He
paused for a moment. They can t
drive me to that-unless they drive
me crazy first" He wiped the sweat
from under his eyes, breathing hard.
What are 'they'?"
Mr.. Robinson shook his head. "Mr.
Jones, l give you my word of honor,
as hope to lie saved from this perse-
cution, I don't know any more than
yourself what it means
"Then-er-I am-er-to believe,
replied Jones, drawing, as he always
did when interest, in his mind, was
| verging on excitement, that a simple
blind threat like this-er-without
any backing from your own conscience
-er-could shake you-er-as this
has done? Why, Mr. Robinson, the
thing-er-may be-er-only raw
practical joke"
But the others" cried the visitor.
His face changed and fell. II believe
I am going crazy" he groaned. Il
didn't tell you about the Others.
Diving into his overcoat pocket he
drew out a packet of letters which he
Dlaced on the desk with a sort OF dis
NAL flourish.
'Read thOse!" he cried.
"Presently." Average Jones ran
rapidly over the eight envelopes
With one exception each bore the i'm
print of some firm name made familiar
by extensive advertising. All the en-
yelopes were of scottish manila paper
varying in grade and hue, under one
cent stamps.
(which is the first of the series?'
he asked.
1T isn't among those. Unfortunate
ly it was lost, by stupid servants
mistake, pin and all"
"Pin?"
Eyes. Where 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. 1t had a two-cent stamp. 1t
was a circular announcement of the
Swift-Reading Encyclopedia, In
sealed envelope. There was a pin
bent over the fold of the letter so
you couldn't help but notice it. Its
head was stuck through the blank
part of the circular. Leading from 1t
were three very small pins arranged
as a pointer to the message
"Do you remember the message?'
"Could I forget it! 1t was pricked
out quite small on the blank fold OF
the paper. 1t said: Make the most
Of your freedom. Your time is short.
Call at General Delivery, Main P. O.,
for your warming"
you went there?" ..
"The next day."
"And found-?"
"An ordinary sealed envelope, ad-