Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-11-17
The
Substitute
| Millionaire
BY
HUBERT FoOTNER
HUBERT FOOTNER

h1atu u ilsht laugh on the wire.
You are surprised. But l was sur,
would find you there
| Who is this?" asked Jack sparrin,
Tor time-he knew very well.
Need yon ask" replied the mock
ing voice. This is the owner of the
desk at which you are now seated
Jack said to himself, Mustn't let
Elm think he's putting it over you'll
lie answered in the same mocklnt
tone. How do you do. So glad you
called me up"
Clapping hand over the transmit
ter, he whispered swiftly to the lead.
ing detective: This lis the man
trace the call back. IL he's anywher,
near, get him. I'll keep him talking,
The detective took a note of tn.
number on the transmitter and RAJ
out followed by Tommy.
/ Meanwhile the voice on the wir>
4 was saying: SORRY l was out when
You called
/ Very glad to wait until you car
get back" said Jack.
That's nice of you. But I'm might,
sorry, I've been called out of town.
AS on a former occasion Jacks
recollection was vaguely stirred By
something familiar IN the mans
/ voice. He supposed that this was the
man who had appeared as Comradt
Wilde the night before, but as Wilde
mad not spoken aloud within jacks
hearing, it must have been on some
other occasion he had heard this
voice. But he could not place it.
When the exchange of ironical
fivilities began to pail, Jack asked
/ politely: What can | do for you Mr.
BIZ"
!, Il just wanted little chat with
you. l wanted to congratulate you
on your game"
Thanks"
/ Its been n mighty interesting
game that You and | have been play
ing the last few weeks; sort of
chess game with human pawns, eh?"
That's right"
well. you've won. You have
checlkmated me-"
| do you mind telling me what you
mean by that exactly?"
i have quit. Burned my records
as you see; closed up Anderson and
1.-THE other agencies; paid off and call
ed in all my operatives"
Going to retire on your winnings,
eh?"
! "Quite So" was the calm reply.
but do me the credit of believing
that it was not the money I was
playing for, but the joy of the game
II was a great game! For three years
Have pitted myself singlehanded
against the combined wealth of this
country. have taken my toll of the
millionaires, and not all the power
that wealth commands was able to
stop mel"
'True enough" said Jack grimly
Il could admire you myself, If you
had only left murder out of your
calculations"
The man at the other end of the
wire chose to ignore the ugly word
He resumed: I'm counting on the
fact that your head is strong enough
not to be- turned by what I'm telling
YOU"
'I don't quite get you there" said
Jack.
I'm other words you're too good a
man hope, to be unduly puffed up
by the fact that salute you as the
victor, and retire from the game.
You will not be foolish enough to
think that you have me altogether at
your mercy
ooh, hope I know a good player
myself when I see one'
Good! Then YOU will be content
with your victory, which 7 assure
you is no mean one for "a man of
your years. So long as you have
stopped me you will not feel that it
is necessary to, your triumph to have
me apprehended."
"Oh. I didn't say that" Jack an
swered quickly. I should have to
consider that carefully. I couldn't
promise anything offhand."
"Promise?" said the voice quickly,
with a touch of pique. ""I want no
promise. 1t is nothing to me what
you decide, I like you for your
sportsmanlile qualities, and there
fore I give you fair warning. 1t is
for your own good that / suggest
you 80 no further"
Much obliged" said Jack dryly,
It'll consider it,
There was still pique in the voice.
Don't get a swelled head, my young
friend. 1t is fatal to clever youths.
I've been playing with you the last
few weeks. 1T amused me to see how
near l could let you come to me, and 4
still evade you. But if l wished to
keep out of your way, you could new
er get within miles of mel"
Then why bother about the mat
ter?"
Because I am tired of the chase.
I'm going to settle down into nice
hum-drum life of respectability, I'm
not going to put myself to the trou-
bic of running away from YOU
and if l should still keep after
your
I'D be awfully sorry" drawled the
voice, "but 1 should really have to
put quietus on you. l could, you
know. I've had a dozen chances
within the past ten days"
Jack had no reason to doubt the
truth of the last statement. He
shivered little. After all, life was
sweet
81 should hate to do it, the voice
went on, you're too good a sport"
Much obliged" put in Jack.
"But I'd have no choice, really.
must have rest My doctor orders
it,"
Jack smiled grimly at the thought
of {, crook threatened with nervous
prostration as Il result of overwork.
These are rapid times that we live
in! He cast about in his mind for
the means to prolong the CONVERSE
ton.