Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1921-04-26

Jevons even went 80 far as to put
detectives on the Job, but they couldn't
get any trace except that the fellow
was slim and good-lo0king, wore a
light suit, and bought ticket for
Philadelphia at the local station. The
train went right up in air then, and
there's absolutely no further trace"
"Well-" Gibney's voice was thought
full, "we've got to get that stock some
how. wonder II whoever bought 1t
is holding out for a big price? He
must know what we're planning, and
what control Of R. & x. will mean to
us. suppose he thinks he can get
whatever price he asks"
1.-THE worst Of 1t is that he's pretty
nearly right, at that" rejoined Had
man. "When our deal comes of It's
absolutely necessary to have the con-
troll, and we can't have 1t without
those three thousand shares, and this
fellow knows it-and that's all there
is to II. We pay"
1--WE do. 1 suppose-and-yet-"
"And yet-whatT"
1T strikes me as being rather queer
that this chap, whoever he Is, hasn't
tried to make q dicker. We are going
to pull our stunt at the end OF the
week, and he must know that we want
the stock as soon as we can get 1t.
He has inside information, that's sure.
Well, the result would naturally be
that he would come around here and
point his block Of stock at our heads
and say Stand and deliverp But he
hasn't made a m0ve-and today's
Wednesday. I don't understand It"
Gibney was q sadly worried man
when he went home that night, and his
pretty wife, who was waiting for him
with her usual smile, received scan
ty greeting. During the evening meal
she tried to make conversation, but
failed dismally. Once she asked what
was worrying him.
Nothing you'd understand" replied
Gibney shortly. Alice opened her
mouth as though to reply. but thought
better Of it and confined her attentions
to the salad. The evening passed 81
lently for both.
Next morning, the day before Glib
ney & Hadman's big coup was slated
to come off, Gibney was Informed by
the girl at the door that young man
wanted to see him. On inQuiring his
business, he was informed that the
visitor would make no statement,
merely saying that he wanted to see
the head Of the firm at once. Gibney
told the girl to show him in. and called
Hadman from his office.
"Dollars to collar-buttons it's the
chap with the R. & x. stock, Jim," he
said. II want you here-well meet
him together. Maybe the two of US
can get reasonable figures out Of him.
But oh, how he has u.s."
The man who entered the office
seemed hardly more than a boy. He
was dressed In a light-colored suit,
and wore a derby hat which he did
not remove. A white bandage COW
cred most Of his right cheek and
curved we'll under the chin.
"Good morning, gentlemen" he said
in a voice that betrayed cold In the
head. "I'm sorry to come around
looking such q wreck, but the fact Is
I'VE met with an accident-automobile
and I'm a little smashed as to the
face" A one-sided grin accompanied
this information. "The doctor tells
me to keep my hat on. too. And now,
II you've quite done staring at the
bandage and things. we might as well
get down to business. I have here
=" he tapped his breast-pocket-"a
block of three thousand shares Of R. &
K. stock, which represents the balance
of power-the amount needed for con-
troll of the road. You want tt have
It. What do you say"
"You young scoundrel!" roared Had
man. 'This is blackmailT
Hardly, Mr.. Hadman. This Is
business. You were too slow to get
what you wanted-I succeeded by my
superior initiative and energy. You
must expect to pay for your lack Of
acumen. ! have my price"
"How-how did you find out about
thisT" sputtered Hadman.
"Ask me no questions, I'll tell you
no lies" replied the visitor pleasantly.
ave seem to be wasting time. Let US
proceed"
Hadman seemed about to burst into
a storm Of wrath. but Gibney inter
rupted him.
"This youngsters perfectly right
Jim. We slipped up, and he has US
where he wants US. II he feels like
putting on the screws why, I suppose
we'll have to stand for 1t. May I ask
your price on this stock?"
The young man was suddenly az
flicted with violent fit Of coughing.
When he recovered he asked that
Jevons, the buyer he had beaten out
be sent for. Neither Hadman nor
Gibney could see the necessity for this,
but they acceded to his request. Jevons
entered.
"Good morning, Mr.. Jeyons" said
the young man. I'm glad to see you
are looking so well. The last time
saw you you were feeling strained 9
bit, think"
" never saw you before I"-said Jew
ons angrily, displeased at the badi
mage.
That's quite true, Mr.. Jevons; bu
saw you. It was at the Biltmore, II
the tea-rooR-. You were talking to
iBdy-a very beautiful Lady, Mr.. Jew
GUS"
"What on earth began Hadman
but q glance from his partner silencet
him. Jevons had suddenly dropped hi
air Of bluster. and was - pale % tn
,Xhita HaR behind hlp.A Hs made