The Pensacola journal., 1917-08-18
Copyright, 1915. by the Mcclure Newspaper
SynLicate.)

asserted Lawrence Macey NON
chalantIy.
Constance Dunlap looked squarely at
the man opposite her at the table, OBJ
livious to the surroundings. 1t was a
brilliant sight in the great after
theater rendezvous, the beautiful faces
and gowns, the exquisite music, the
bright lights and the gayety. She had
chosen this time and place for. a rea=
son. She had hoped that the contrast
with what she had to say would be
most marked in its influence on the man
Nevertheless" she replied keeniy'
"I recognize the picture-as though
you were BertillOn's new spoken por-
tratt' of this Graeme Mackenzie
She deliberately folded up a newspa-
per clipping and showed it into her
uand-bag on a chair beside the table.
Lawrence Macy met her eye un-
suppose" he drawled, "just for the
sake OF argument, that you are right.
What would you do?"
Constance looked at the unrufled exte-
r:or Of the man. With her keen percep-
tsoa sho knew that 1t covered Just as calm
an interior. He would have said the
same thing if she had been real de-
tective, had walked up behind him sud
denly in the subway crush had tapped
his shoulder, and whispered, You re
wanted"
we are dealing with facts, not sup
positions" she replied evasively.
AsolnentaTily. a strange look passed
over Macey's face. What was she drlV-
ina st--blackmail? He could not think
80, even though he had only just come
10 know Constance. He rejected the
thought before it was half formed.
Put it as you please" he persisted
Z am, then, this GTaeme Mackenzie
who has decamped from Omaha with
half q million-it IS half a million in
the article, is II not?-of cash and un-
registered stocks and bonds. Now
what would you do?"
Constance felt unconsciously the
shift which he had skllfully made in
their positions. Instead OF being the
pursuer. she was now the pursued, at
least I'm their conversation. He had
admitted nothing Of what her quick in
tuition told her.
Yet she felt an admiration for the
sang-froid of Macey. She felt n spell
thrown over her by the magnetic eyes
that seemed to search her own. They
were large eyes, the eyes of a dreamer
rather than of a practical man. eyes
Of a man who goes far and travels
long with the woman on whom he
fixes them solely.
You haven't answered my hypo-
theticaI question" he reminded her.
She brought herself back with a
start. 7 was only thinking" she muir
INJURED.
Then thsre is doubt in your mind
what you would do?"
Mono" she hesitated.
He bent over nearer across the ia
BILE. You would at least recall the
old adage, DO unto others as you
would that they should do unto ycu'?
he urged.
1t was unoanny. the way this man
read her thoughts.
you know whom they say quotes
scripture" she avoided.
And am I "a devil?"
I did not say So"
You hinted it."
She had. But she said. mo. nor hint
ed it,"
Then you did not mean to hint it?'
she looked away a moment at the
oav throng. "Graeme Mackenzie" she
s-fd slowly. whats the use of all tnis
heating about? why cannot we b'
frank with one anOther?"
She paused then resumed, medita
lively, ~ long time ago l became IN
voIved with man in a scheme TO forge
checks I would have done anything fo
him, anything"
A cloud passed over his face. Sh'
saw it, had been watching for it, bu
appeared not to do so. His was ma
ture to brook no rivalry.
My husband had become involve
in extravagances for which I was K
blame" she went on.
The cloud settled, and in its place
came look of intense relief. He was
like most men. Whatever his own NOR
ais, he demanded a high standard II
her.
I'VE formed an amateur partnership
in crime" she hurried on. He lost hi!
life, was unable to stand up agains
the odds, while he was alone. away
from me. Since then have been help
ing those who have become involved
on the wrong side, with the law
There" she concluded simply, Il hav'
put myself in your power. l have ad
mitted my part in something that, tr!
as they would, they could never con
meet me with. have done it because
because I want to help you. Be a
frank with me-
He eyed her keenly again. The ap
peal was irresistible.
II can tell YOU Graeme MaCkenzie'
story" he began carefully. Six month
ago there was a young man in Omah'
who had worked faithfully for SAT
deposit company for years. He wa
getting eighty-hve dollars month
That is more than it seems to you her
in New York But it was very littl
1OE WnaL ne ala. W ny, &S super 4lAL0Alu
ent of the safe deposit vaults he ha'
helped to build up that part Of tn
trust companys business to such a
extent that they knew he deserve
more.
Now, a superintendent of n saf
deposit vault has lots Of chances
Sometimes depositors give him thei
keys TO unlock their boxes for them. I
j. a simple thing to make an impress
sion in wax or chewing gum palmed +
the hand. Or he has access to a mum
her of keys Of unrented boxes: he car
as opportunity offers. make duplicate.
and then when the boxes are rented h
has a key. Even if the locks of uu
rented boxes are blanks. set by tn
first insertion Of the key chosen a
random. he can stiu do the same thipl
And even II it takes two to set at tn
idle keys, himself and another truste
employe. he can get at ... -, if ne
clever without the other Ger know
Ing IT., though il may be- uono almoS
before his eyes. You see. IL all come
down to the honesty of the man"
lie paused. Constance was faeci
mated at the Coolness with which thi
MAJ had gone to work, and with whic