Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-09-01
The Gift
Supreme
BY
George Allan England
Author Of
Darkness and lawn"
1.-THE Alibi." etc.

Fifteen minutes later Bradford was
| sitting In the chair in which his
father had already sat in conference
with the gross and red -jowled shy
ster who had already bled tho ship
master of such considerable fees.
| Melny. tilted back against the wall
in creaking chair, continued to in
hale tigaret smoke, listening to the
negotiations with a detached air of
boredom.
These negotiations were not long.
| They could not be- Not even Stages
great native ability and infinite ca
pacity for bluff could very largely
prolong a discussion of facts where
of he knew almost nothing, without
risk of exposing himself-and Stagg
] never by any chance risked exposing
himself. On this occasion he con-
cealed his pnueity Of facts under APP
pearances of cryptic wisdom and I'M
usual press of business, and prom
] ised much--for consideration.
| "of course you understand" no re-
marked, Joining his fat finge" tips
and gazing earnestly at the new fish
| in his net, that Investigations of
| this character are expensive. The
young lady has disappeared. have
Information which leads me to be-
| lieve that she has taken certain lines
of action, but this must be verified
| and the facts made plain. Facts, sir.
are my strong points Facts cost
money. Facts are largely matters of
dollars and cents, Now If I produce
| all the necessary facts TO Inform you
of her present wherea oouts--tf. IN
short, take yopr case, what shall
we say in the matter OF retainer"
| How much do you ask?" demand
ed Bradford.
| The shyster pondered. His new
clients clothing and work blistered
hands gave no great promise of
| wealth: still. one could never tell.
He belonged to the family of Vinton.
He might have uns,spected re-
sources, even tho exiled from home:
and Stagg's motto had ever~been "all
| that the traffic will bear"
"Shall we say s100?" he queried.
| with the Understanding that later
but OF this we will not speak for the
4 present. One hundred will do to be-
gin the investigation,
Bradford without hest tation. count
ed OUT 500. Stage WINGED with pain
at sight of the bills still remaining in
the Young MANS pock.tbook. Per-
haps he might have assed 5000, or
even $500.
! Here YOU are" said 'yinton. Get
busy! If you put me Iii touch with
her. you'll never regret IT.
He gave Stage HIS ca I'd. with the
Appleton street address penciled on
it, and also the telephone number OF
the news stand.
Keep me informed CT every de-
velopment," he directed.
Don't worry; that's my business
keeping the people, informed Of
facts, Stagg answered.
Bradford nodded and, with an ex-
preston of greater hope than he had
felt since the girls disappearance,
took his leave. NIeiny followed him
out into the hall
We'll, I handed you tile right dope,
didn't 2" he queried. Nov slip me
the twenty.'
Bradford paid him, and added
few words of thanks, which Meiny
answered with leer. Then the ship
masters son descended the crooked
stairs, leaving the shyster's spawn
eontorted with silent la, sghter on the
dark landing
"If this amt playin' both ends
against the middle Tn a phillyloo
Bird" he addressed his father, re-
entering the office Looks to me
like Vinton mazu just couldn't keep
out of our nitts! Bit it's takin'
chances. at that" he added more
soberly. eff them two ever gets to-
gether, the old gink and the young
one. there'll be something bidding in
this 'neighborhood!"
mot once chance in a ntinion OF that.
I've followed riskier games than this
for years and put 'em over A little
gold mine can be dug: out of that
boob. And
Yes, h,It how about thu skirt"
demanded Melny. lighting another
cigaret. 'fYou don't know where
she is any more than ] do. It was
all bluff, anyhow-ju.st goin' on
! what old dame Wesson told us; put
tin two an two together an maxim
| five ont of it. You amt going to
| try to locate her, are vou?'
| Not perceptibly, my son." an
swe-ed Stage. And queer myself
with the old mans money mill? Nix
on that! We can work up another
touch on him before long. Well play
| 'em both. It's like coin from home.
Who said the law wasn't paying
proposition? %
THAT'S all right" said Meiny;
"but when the boob finds we amt
/ producin' the goods
| forget it," interrupted Irwin, with
an expansive wave of tie hand. 1--WE
| can string him along forever with
the proper line of bull. There's
mint in this, tell you--a mint"
Meiny nodded, then cast calcu-
lating eve on his progenitor.
| 'By the way" said he with a fab
by smile, you might as well slip me
mine right now. I need It,"
Stagg eyed him moment, frown-
| ing, then nodded assent.
All right, my son., lie assented.
| "You warm the cookies Of my heart
Whatever cookies are, search me.
The way you framed this thing and
brought him here is worthy even OF
me at my best. Here, Meiny, II go
fifty-fifty with you. You're good
son, after ala chip Of the old
| block, Meiny, and I'm p~ood Of you.
love you, Meiny: can't help low
ing YOU Damn it. you're slick!
couldn't beat you myself. Here's
fifty beans, my son, ami welcome