The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-02-05

SOpetQlQS IN Ine cOlQ-SlofdSe iinS LII
q time. Since he died we have had a
man named Delbridge in charge. l dis.
charged this man last week, when !
received absolute Information that he
was holding back part Of the income
charges. We will have to find some
honest and trustworthy person to take
his place, go over the records, and II
we learn that the populations have
been of any magnitude and kept up
for years, we shall bring this Delbridge
to time"
"And what can poor, inexperienced
me do in such a tangle" inquired
Verda in pretty dismay.
"You must decide what you want
DONE" replied Mr.. Crompton. II have
thought it best to have you visit the
property, and then determine whether
you wish the business continued under
a new manager. OF sold out, with the
returns from the real estate and the
money invested otherwise. Mr.. Dnre,"
called out the lawyer, and his assistant
entered the room.
sour Mr.. Dare will take you over
the property, Miss Bliss spoke Nj
Crompton. and Verda scanned closely
the clear-eyed, pleasant-faced young
man who acknowledged the informal
introduction with Q courteous bow.
They were chatting like real friends
bseoEs thsE bad cRx2Zsd two sagarssE
you can get q better idea OF the
location and environment Of the prop.
erty on foot" explained Elston Dare.
1--WE seem to be penetrating a rath-
er nondescript neighbOrhood," suggest
ed his fair companion. She kept close
to her guide, for the narrow thorough
fares were congested with trucks and
carts, and the sidewalks almost COW
cred with boxes, bales and hogsheads.
Once Miss Blair. glancing back, mar
rowly scrutinized man who lost HIM
self promptly as he noticed that he
was observed. Dare detected a slight
culver of the dainty gloved hand hold
ing his arm
"What was it?" he inquired solicit.
ously.
"a man I have noticed before" re.
piled Miss Bliss. 81 am sure he and
another followed me when I left the
depot" IS
"You do not now see the one you just
discoveredr
mo, he has disappeared"
They reached the grim, almost win
dowIess structure on the riverside, and.
interested in her new surroundings
Verda forgot her previous nervous
fears. Dare had a key to the great
padlocked door. he turned on the
electric light. It illuminated dark
spiral stairway.
"An the rest of the building. except
the little Office at the top, has been
used for storage" he explained.
"How chilly and damp it Is" muir
INJURED Miss Bliss, and she was quite
out of breath when they reached lit
tie pen of a place holding desk and
safe. Dare bestowed his charge in
a chair and began to describe the busi-
ness carried on.
"Just now oil the elevator holds is
some stored grain," he told her. my
plan would be, If you decide to con-
tinue the business, to resume the cold
storage department and utilize the
lower floor of the elevator for short
time merchandise storage. am in
structed to bring the books back to the
office. We shall go over them thor
oughly and see how far the discharged
Delbridge has manipulated them"
Dare had barely unlocked the safe
when the door was burst open. Three
men entered the room.
'Those two!" cried Verda, paling
and arising to her feet In consterna-
ton. 'They are the men who followed
me from the depot"
The third Dare at once recognized
as Delbridge, the discharged manager.
At a signal from the latter his assO-
late seized Dare by the arms and
backed him to the wall, Delbridge
picked up the books Dare had dropped
when assailed.
We'll see to 1t that these telltale
documents don't see the light again."
he chuckled. Then he turned upon the
affrighted Verda. 1--WE mean business"
he said coolly, 'but you're not going to
be harmed. Your friends have tried to
blacken my reputation and you've got
TO pay for it."
what do you mean?" breathed Yer
da In a tremulous tone.
Il mean that I'm going to leave these
parts and propose that yov finance me
for the journey" bluntly responded the
villain. You have plenty of money.
You will give me an order or check
for five thousand dollars. I'll send one
of my men to get 1t cashed. When he
does, you shall go free"
Eyes, yes" assented Verda readily,
"only do not mistreat Mr.. Dare!"
The latter was struggling to release
himself and his two captors were treat
ing him roughly.
'fDo not give these scoundrels cent
'7s~ Plissi" shouted Dare, and made