Carrizozo outlook. [volume] (Carrizozo, N.M.) 1910-1945, 1920-06-25
aWelI. NoonnnY.

Nthf ANVenuhN
'"rhis man. sir, Ia trying 10 force hls
way In. ] am Just about to eject him,
SIR"
Fitzhugn laughed merrily. "Oh, no.
you're not. Noonan.". And before the
corpulent NOOnan could say a word
or move a muscle he was seized In a
grip OF steel and thrust ~speechless
against the wall.
The master looked on ne though un-
certain whether to be amused or In
dlgnant. While he was deciding FitE-
hugh confronted him.
mir. OTIS" said he, II want a few
minutes talk with you"
Otis smiled. IL think you've eaEied
an audience with me. Nerve like yours
should not 20 unrewnrded." They en-
tered the shadowy room, ~ostensibly a
library.
"what can I do for you7"
"Just a moment" Ftzhugh drew
the sliding doors, which led 10 the
hall. together and fastened the clasp.
having FIRST deposited his newspaper
parcel very carefully upon he floor.
He looked around the room. and. sat
lsfed they were free from Interrupt
ton. picked up his parcel and took a
seat opposite his host, who watched
all these movements with a frown OF
suspicion and annoyance.
When Ftzhugh spoke his voice had
the deep. resonant ring II always ac-
quired whenever he was "acting" n
part or exercising his oratorical gift.
"Mr. OTIS" he began, leaning forward
in his chair and looking his auditor
steadily In the eye, "you are a million.
nire, are you not1"
OTIS frown deepened. He glanced
impatiently ut his watch. II can spare
YOU out little time this morning." he
said, with polite curtness. II must
ask that you state your business az
briefly as possible"
"But you are n mIlilonnlreT"
"Yes. yes. What OF III"
"And ] nm n pauper. At this mo-
ment ! could not buy--this newspa.
per-" He took from the library table
the morning paper Otis had been
reading. II was folded In such wise
that n large flnshllght photograph ini-
medlately caught his eye. He recog-
nlzed II instantly-recognized 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 owe again
that hrief 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. otls"-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 II high above his head. Mind,
I say must" His voice rang out omi-
nously. His eyes were cold. mercl-
less. "In these hands, Mr.. Otis, l hold
sufficient dynamite TO blow this house
and all II contains TO ten million
atoms. Quick. sirl" he Numbered.
and made u terrible gesture with the
parcel. ''Ten thousand dollars, or l
hurl Il at your faet"
Although Otis face had turned
deathly pale he had not grown Ok
cited or betrayed n sign OF fear. He
sat quite still. his thin hands resting
lightly on the arms OF his chair, his
gray eyes fixed unwayeringly upon
the black ones above him, his mind
working with the cool precision OF a
perfect mechanism. Hes either mad
Of IN assassin" ian his thought
probably mad and the only way TO
deal with a mailman Is to humor him.
Perhaps. though, he's only blufing. In
any event I'd best take no chances"
Otis made a caressing movement
with his fingers along the arm OF his
chair his head rested on the back OF
II the better to keep his eyehold on
the supposed maniac.
"Ten thousand. Er-won't you
please sit DOWN."
~ will not. l could not explode the
dynamite sitting down"
quite 30, 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 housef"
"No. You must write me a check. .
every true, so l must. "But"-he
held a finger beside his eye and smiled
waggishly-"might l not stop pay.
ment on the check7"