Gilpin observer., 1917-04-05

4 afeard Of m-me and play into my
hands because you d-don't want me tt
sQueal on you to Miss Dare. Ain't
t-that it7"
'There's another reason, to be can
did. You have the insufferable impu
dence to be in love with Miss Dare
yourself. Was there ever a more lu
dicrous situationl The Silent Menace
posing as orderly to Colonel Dare, in
love with his daughter, or posing
there, too, possibly, and using all Of us
as tools in his. plot. I give it to you
Adams" He laughed farcically.
'Why d-don't you shoot me, majori
There's g-gun under your pillow,
amt there?"
The major reached under his pillow
and pulled out a revolver. I've got a
mind to do that" reflected Brent, ex-
amining the loaded chambers, with a
quick flash of the eye at his caller.
But he put the revolver away.
Adams chuckled. "It amt a m-mat-
ter Of nerve, is 1t, major? You're no-not
quite sure about me, after all, are
your"
"Im sure, but have no proof. When
get that I intend to kill you, Adams"
Brent candldly stated.
For several seconds Adams silently
appraised Brent. All of sudden he
became melancholy. "There may
n-never be any proof of anything, Ma
jor Brent" he rejoined in slow, mur-
muring way. 1--WE b-been thinking a
whole lot Of this fix you got yourself
in. I got notion to help you out o-of
it."
| "You have, eh?"
| 'Don't be s-sarcastc. I mean the
1 Fright kind Of help. Don't forget that
c-could send you to that there same
penitentiary you were s-sending Payne
to-" insinuatingly.
| Brent laughed outright. "What
would the charge be? How could you
make it without showing your hand
without unmasking yourself as the
Silent Menace? Even though you have
me under your control, you really
can't make a move against me pub
licly."
Then Adams gave Brent a great
start. II c-could make grease spot
out of you without showing the hand
of the Silent Menace" muttered
Adams, coldly.
Brent's hands stole in the direction
Of the revolver under his pillow, al
though he continued to smile. Adams
had him covered in second. Don't
git f-fdgety, Major. I'm downright
serious. I amt g-going to make any
g-grease spot out of you because" his
voice trailed an instant-"because
you're going to DIDO the decent thing"
(Which is?" with a slight catch.
You're going to marry Miss Bier
tina Bonn. You're going to m-marry
her now. You're going to get up and
go al-along with me and marry her."
He took from his inner coat pocket
long white envelope, not taking his eve
off Brent moment, and referring to
it, continued: "Tve got your license
fright here. I've had 1t several d'days.
It's regular and you'll be unmarried by
regular preacher. It'll be a regular
w-wedding, and I'm going to give you
a regular wedding p-present. There's
TA'O'oOo SohiihB " you O-out VI ILLS,
Major Brent" He returned the en-
velope to his pocket and calmly wait
ed for Brent to say something.
Brent, who did not move q muscle
while Adams spoke, at first thought
that he was indulging in the peculiar
kind Of humor expected of him at any
time and under any circumstances.
IN hax aI th,
man was not joking.
$50 that's your scheme" he blurted,
composure fast slipping away. you're
trying to force me to give up Miss
Dare by bribery because you want her
yourself"
"P-part of 1t, major" admitted
Adams, exhibiting deeply stirred
emotional nature In voice and eyes. ~
am in l-love with Miss Dare. I'm
going to g-get her If she'll let me. But
that amt exactly w-why I'm going to
marry you and Bertha Bonn together
and make you little wedding gift.
You're going to be square to Bertha
Bonn a-and I'm going to help you
along. That's all there Is tito that !;
and the things got to be done. major,
before l go toto Panama. Or" a
new idea striking him-"now that you
know w-what you're going to do and
what I'm going to DIDO, mebbe we bet
ter put 1t o-of till l get back from
Panama"
"See here, Adams !" cried Brent, now
leaping out of bed and confronting
his visitor. "That1l be about enough
OF that from you. If you don't get out
of here in hurry I'll throw you in the
guardhouse. I'm sick to death of this
beastly affair. Another word and I'll
tell all to Colonel Dare and take the
consequences!
A pleased smile illuminated the
countenance OF the perfectly composed
man sitting at the foot Of the bed. He