Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1920-06-30

you're not, Noonan." And before tn,
corpulent Noonan could say a word
or move muscle he was seized In u
grip Of steel and thrust speeches.
| against the wall.
The master looked on as though un-
certain whether TO be amused or In
dignant. While he was deciding Fitz-
hugh confronted him.
Mr.. Otis" said he, 81 want a few
minutes talk with you"
Otis smiled. 81 think you've earned
an audience with me. Nerve like yours
should not go unrewarded." They en-
tered the shadOwy room. ostensibly Il
library.
What can do for you?"
Just moment" Fitzhugh drew
the sliding doors. which led to the
hall. together and fastened the clasp.
having first deposited his newspaper
/ parcel very carefully upon the floor.
/ He looked around the room. and. SAT-
isfied they were free from Interrupt
ton. picked up his parcel and took
seat opposite his host. who watched
all these movements with a frown of
suspicion and annoyance.
When FitZhugh spoke his voice had
the deep. resonant ring it always ac-
CURED whenever he was acting" o
part or exercising his oratorical gift.
"slr. Otis" he began. leaning forward
in his chair and looking his auditor
| steadily in the eye. you are million.
aire. are you not?"
OTIS frown deepened. He glanced
impatiently at his watch. II can spare
you but little time this morning." he
said. with polite curtness. 81 must
ask that you state your business as
briefly as possible"
But you are IA milllonaire?"
''YeS. yes. What of it?"
And am a pauper. At this mo-
ment ! could not buy-this newspa-
per" He took from the library table
the morning paper Otis had been
reading. 1t was folded in such wise
mediateiy caught his eye. He recog-
niZed ii acknowledgements the tall.
straight figure in the white sweater
standing above the blur of faces. arms
thrown upwards and outwards. head
back, eyes closed. He lived over again
that brief moment of glory, and the
exaltation he had felt returned two
fold. He cast the paper aside and
threw himself into the role he was
playing with redOubled zest.
mfr. Otis"-and he pointed two
rigid fingers within an inch of his
hearers face-"yOu must lend me ten
thousand dollars :" He seized the
newspaper parcel, which had been
resting on his knees. and stood up.
holding 1t high above his head. Mind,
say must !" His voice rang cut omi-
nously. His eyes were cold, lcerci-
less. "In these hands, Mr.. Otis. hold
sufficient dynamite to blow this house
and all ii contains to ten million
atoms. Quick, slr" he Numbered,
and made a terrible gesture with the
parcel. Ten thousand dollars. or
hurl 1t at your feet!"
Although Otis face had turned
deathly pale he had not grown ex-
cited or betrayed a sign of fear. He
sat quite still, his thin hands resting
lightly on the arms of his chair. his
gray eyes fixed unwaveringly upon
the black ones above him, his mind
working with the cool precision of
perfect mechanism. Hes either mad
or an assassin" ran his thought
probably mad; and the only way to
deal with mailman is to humOr him.
Perhaps. though, he's only bluffing. In
any event I'd best take no chances"
Otis made caressing movement
with his fingers along the arm of his
chair; his head rested on the back of
it the better to keep his eyehOld on
the supposed maniac.
"Ten thousand Er-won't you
please sit DOWN."
II will not. | could not explode the
dynamite sitting down."
"Quite so, quite sol" The caressing
movement increased. His voice was
silky. "Ten thousand-h'm. You do
not. of course. suppose l have that
much money In the house"
mo. You must write me a check"
every true. so l must. "But"-he
held finger beside his eye and smiled
waggishly-"might / not stop pay
ment on the checkr