The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-04-08

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 as though I'M
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. At think you've earned
an audience with me. Nerve like yours
should not go unrewarded-" They en-
tered the shadowy room, ostensibly 3
library.
what can I do for your"
"Just a 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 frown Of
suspicion and annoyance.
When FitZhugh spoke his voice had
the deep, resonant ring It always &C
quired whenever he was acting" a
| 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 million
| aire, are you not?"
OTIS frOwn deepened. He glanced
| ImpatientIy at his watch. 81 can spare
you but little time this morning" he
said, with polite curtness. 81 must
ask that you state your business a.
briefly as possible"
But you are millionaire7"
Eyes, yes. What Of It7''
"And I am a paupeF. At this mo-
ment l 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
that large fiashlight photograph i'm
mediately caught his eye. He recOg-
nized 1t neutrality-suspicious. 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
| AAS ldu 4ClL ACL0AACA LWO@
fold. He cast the paper aside and
threw himself into the role he was
playing with redOubled zest.
"Mr 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,
I say must :" His voice rang out omi-
nously. His eyes were cold, merci-
less. "In these hands, Mr.. Otis, hold
sufficient dynamite to blow this house
and ali it contains to ten million
atoms. Quick, sir!" he Numbered,
and made a terrible gesture with the
parcel. 'HTen thousand dollars, or !
hurl it at your feetr'
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 a
perfect mechanism. Hes either mad
| or an assassin ran his thought
probably mad; and the only way to
deal with a mailman is to humOr him.
Perhaps, though, he's only bluffing. 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
it the better to keep his eyehold on
the supposed maniac.
| t.
please sit DOWN.
81 will not. 1 could not explode the
dynamite sitting down"
"Quite so. quite sol" The caressine
movement increased. His voice was
silky. "Ten thousand-h'm. You dc
not. of course, suppose 1 have that
much money in the hOuse?"
mo. You must write me check
Every true, so I must. "But'-he
held a finger beside his eye and smiled
waggishly- might 1 not stop pay
ment on the check7 2"