The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-06-01
By GEORGE GIBBS

| me. HI i've IRe a pr1nCe~ l "On blackmail-, said Peter. l See here, Pete-!"
 | q meant it." Peter had risen and faced Coast coo1y. "Blackmail! You can't tell me that if you had any legal
 claim on Mcclure you couldn't prove it."
 'I nightn't be able to-" he
 shrugged.
 What Is Mcclure frightened about? Not about what he owes you. He could pay that ten times over. It's l something else-something that hap pened out there at the mine that you dare not tell"
 That won't tell" laughed Coast agreeably.
 That you dare not tell that Mo
 Guires dares not tell. Something that l has to do with his strange message | about the blood on the knife, and your placard about what you've got
 holding over him-
 Right you are," sneered the other.
 Its dirty money, I tell you bloody money. I know 1t. And know who you are, Jim Coast" 1 Coast started up and thrust the roll deep into his trousers pocket. l You don't know anything" he growled.
 l Peter got up too. His mind had fol- | lowed Coasts extraordinary story, and l so far as it had gone, believed it to be l true. Peter wanted to know what had | happened out there at the mine in the l desert but more than that he wanted | to know how the destinies of this man | affected Beth And so the thought l that had been growing in his mind | now found quick utterance. l 'I know this-that you've come back to frighten McGuire, but you've l also come back to bring misery and | shame to others whove lived long in peace and happiness without you-' | "What-?" said Coast incredu- | lousIy. q know who you are. Tou're Ben Cameron" said Peter distinctly. The effect of this statement upon l Jim Coast was extra ordinary. He started back abruptly. overturning chair, and fell rather than leaned against the bed-post-his eyes staring from a ghastly face. | "what-what did-you say?" he gasped chokingly.
 again.
 "Me-B-Ben Cameron! That's damn good Me-Ben Cameron! Say, Peter, whatever put that into your head?"
 ."The way you frightened the old woman at the kitchen door" "Oh" Coast strengthened in relief. T get you. You've, been tallSin' to her."
 'Yes. What did you say to herr" "TI just gave her a message for McGuire. I reckon she gave it to him."
 "A message"
 "oh, you needn't say you don't know, Pete. It didn't fetch him. So I put up the placard." Peter was now more bewildered than Coast. Do you deny that you're Ben Cameron" he asked. 1. Coast pulled himself together and took up his coat.
 Deny it? Surei I'm not-not him-not Ben Cameron-not Ben Cameron. Don't I know who am ?'' he shouted. Then he broke off with a violent gesture and took up his cap. Enough of your damn ques- tions. I say. I've told you what I've as you choose. I'm Jim Coast to you or Hawk Kennedy, if you like, but don't you go throwin' any more of your dirty jokes my way. Under stand?"
 Peter couldn't understand. but he had enough of the man. So he point ed toward the door.
 'Go, he ordered. rye nau enough of you-get out!" the door, then paused and turned and held out his hand. !
 "Oh, hell, Pete. Don't let's you and me quarrel. You gave me start back there. I'm sorry. Of course, you knew. You been good to me to- night Pm obliged. I need you in my business. More'n ever"
 
 ''Oh very well. Suit yourself" said Coast with a shrug. There's plenty of time. I'll be back in a month or six weeks. Think it over. I've made you a nice offer-real money-to help me a bit. Take it or leave it, as you please. I'll get along without you. but I'd rather have you with me than against me-
 I'm neither" said Peter 'T want l nothing to do with it-'
 Coast shrugged. I'm sorry. Well, | so long. I've got horse back in the | dunes. I'll take the milk train from | Hammonton to Philadelphia You won't tell. Pete?''
 ''No."
 Good night"
 Peter didn't even reply. And when | the man had gone he opened the-door | and windows to let in the night air. |
  mans very presence. Ben Cameron | Beth's father? The thing seemed i'm | possible, but every fact in Peters | knowledge pointed toward it. And | yet what the meaning of Jim Coasts | strange actions ct the mention of his | name? And what were the facts that | Jim Coast didn't tell? What had | happened at the mine that was toe | terrible even to speak about? What l was the bond between these two men, | which held the successful one In ter for and the other in silence? Some | thing unspeakalbly vile. A hideous 1
 The telephone bell tangled again. | Peter rose and went to it. But he was in no humor to talk to McGuire. 1
 "Hello,' he growled- ''Yes-he's | gone. I let him go- You told me | to. = Yes, he talked-a long while. No. He won't be | back for a month wen talk that over later. No. Nor rnnirhf