Evening star., 1917-09-16

Meehan smiled. "Oh. no. Mr.. Cony-
bear. BY now I mean a first pay
ment-within day So
oh, see. Suppose you think that IL
| promised to make the payments Ia De
grateful at your sparing my !ife
that I'd be sure to keep my word. eh?'
Meehan laughed. "oh. no! we Know nov
that you'd break your word in such
matter without Qualm.
Well, you got good sense. like Z
said the people behind that note had.
But you know that bank is going TO
hold up a check for anything hke ten
millions, don't you? Amt going to de-
liver it over to strangers? You know
that mighty we'll"
Wen cross that bridge when we
come to it. sir" said Meehan.
Yes. and maybe the train that'H take
you to prison Will cross some bridges,
too
Well, we won't bother to look up
the timetable for that train right
For what?"
"a little Journey
You don't suppose I'm going any
where with you, do you? You people
have caught the elephant. all right but
what you going to do with him? oh.
I'll write checks for the rest of the
night. But You got intelligence: you
know they'll be stopped. And If you
killed me- the checks would be stopped
Looks to me like the elephants got
you"
Il mentioned a little Journey" said
Meehan.
That's right: YOU did. Well-say.
why the note and all that? Why didn't
Henderson-and | hope to the Lord that
some day l get you at the end OF
gun. YOU weet-SCented turncoat, Why
didn't Henderson just bat me over
the head with a black jack and lug me
off fa
Through your guards? You said we
had brains. awhile back, Mr.. Conybear.
The note was so that you'd send to a
detective agency and strangers could
be admitted to you.
How'd you know / send to Burn
hsns?"
dersou has been mailing your letters.
aid?"
brains is right" said Conybear rue
never bear any iil-will toward those
who beat me. provided think | could
use 'em in my business, eh?"
We aren't thieves or hlackmailers
Mr.. Conybear,' replied Meehan. We
represent the Society. VIII you come.
now2'
~eposing on Meehans knee. He shrug-
Eed his shoulders Il hate to br/1the
the same air with Henderson. You two
people-well. this is business with you.
Poor business. fool business. for I'll
live to see you jailed. but-business,
But HenderSou-hes eaten my bread,
wages
Henderson remains here to explain
your absence. said Meehan.
Conyhear stared al Meehan. Then he
looked at Henderson.
Il take little of ii back-what was
in my thoughts Henderson," he said.
You're polecat. but you got nerve.
Well here's TO the day You
hang. Henderson, Where to. gentle
men"
He was as brisk and alert as though.
hungry from a hard forenoons work.
IS ,ia.Att Inn. h rith
nies. He looked from one to the other
of the two "Burnham'' men
I might suggest to you. Mr.. Cony-
work in the interests of society-the
true interests of the true society. as
against the interests of men like your
self and the society that tolerates yo'i
We realize that the world misunder
stands men like ourselves. We have to
pass many of your servants, of your
private guards. We are perfectly will
ing to die, if need be. Mr.. Conybear, |
do not ask any promise from you to
keep silent. Nor do | like to make
threats"
Why not? People understand threats
only thing they do understand
If ] get chance, in the next
ten minutes. or the next ten years, to
graves I'll do it. But I've got a lot OF
things to do in this world. / don't in
tend to die any sooner than I've got to
You have the right idea Mr. Cony-
hear: l only hope that you will con
tinue in the belief that We have brains
and quick wits. The least word-hut
YOU are a man of intelligence. even
though your intelligence has been per
Nerted, Mr. tonybear. You are going on
a sudden trip. You do not know when
YOU will return. That is all you need
to say. A word more than that--we un-
derstand exactly what you are doing
Mr.. Conybear. We know how every
stranger. no matter how he is vouched
for, is scrutinized by your guards We
n
only hope that you realize the equal
risk you run.
NO one ever accused Burton Cony-
bear OF beln' an out-and-out tomfooi.
said the old man. quietly.
Very Well Henderson, YOU come to
the ear with us, said Willard.