The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1922-10-26
ed Prince Albert--and

0ef6. " T.
"Mr. Barnham"
That's what I'm called" he
wheezed with the seli-implied humor
Of his remark and motioned toward q
chair. MAY I ask what you've come
to see me aboutf"
II haven't the slightest idea. You
sent for me-" Fairchild produced the
telegram, and the greasy person who
had taken a position ON the other side
Of a worn, walnut table became imme-
diately obsequious.
J "Of course! OF counsel Mr.. Fair
child! Why didn't you say so when
you came in? OF course-rve been
looking for you all day. May I offer
you a cigarT'
He dragged a box of domestic per-
fectos from a drawer of the table and
struck a match to light one for Fair
child. Then with a bustling air of
urgent business he hurried to both
doors and locked them.
$50 that we may not be disturbed"
he confided in that high, whining
voice. II am hoping that this IL very
important"
II ALSO" Fairchild pulled obviously
upon the more dubious cigar. The
greasy individual returned to his ia
BILE, dragged the chair nearer it, then,
seating himself, leaned toward Fair
child.
IF I'm not mistaken, you're the
owner of the Blue Poppy mine."
I'm supposed to be-"
"Of course-of course. Could you
possibly do me the favor Of telling me
how you're getting along"
Fairchild's eyes narrowed.
! II thought you had information
for mel"
"Very good" Mr.. Barnham raised a
tat hand and wheezed in an effort at
intense enjoyment Of the reply. $50
have. I merely asked that to be ask
Ing. Now, to be serious, haven't you
some enemies, Mr.. Fairchild?"
"Have ~
II was merely asking"
sand l judged from your question
| that you seemed to know"
$50 / do. And one friend" Barn.
ham pursed his heavy lips and nodded
In an authoritative manner. zone
very, very good friend"
II was hoping that l had more than
that"
"Ah, perhaps SO. But I speak only
from what I know. There Is one per-
o who is very anxious about your
welfare"
"SoT'
swell isn't there?"
Fairchild squared away from the ia
BILE.
mr.. Barnham," came coldly; the in
herent distrust for the greasy. unin-
viting individual having swerved to
the surface. "You wired me that you
had some very important news for ME.
Now that I'm here, your mission
seems to be wholly taken up in draw.
ing from me any information that
happen to possess about myself. Plain
ly and frankly, / don't like it, Ind I
don't like you-and unless you can
produce a great deal more than you
have already. III have to chalk up the
expense to a piece Of bad judgment
and go on about my business"
He started to rise. and Barnham
scrambled to his feet.
"Please DON'T" he begged, thrusting
forth a fat hand, please, please don't.
This is a very important matter. One
o has to be careful In going
about a thing as important as this is.
The person is in a very peculiar posi-
tion."
But I'm tired of the way you beat
around the bush. AS ] told you before,
I don't like it-and I'm just about at
the point where I don't care what in
formation you havei"
But just be patient a momentum
coming to it. Suppose" then he
cupped his hands and stared hard at
the ceiling, Suppose that l told you
that there was some one who was will
ing to see you through all your trou-
bles, who had arranged everything for
you, and all you had to do would be to
say the word to find yourself in the
midst of comfort and richesY'
Fairchild blinked in surprise at this
and sank back into his chair. Finally
he laughed uneasily and pufred again
on the dubious cigar.
I'D say" came finally, that there
isn't any such animal"
"But there is. She has" Then he
stopped, as though to cover the slip.
Fairchild leaned forward.
"She?"
Mr.. Barnham gave the appearance
Of a very flustered man.
my. tongue got away from me; I
shouldn't have said 1t. l really
shouldn't have said it. If she ever
finds it out, 1t will mean trouble for
me. But truly" and he beamed, "you
r such a tough customer to deal with
and so suspicious-no offense meant,
of course-that I really was forced to
1t. feel sure she will forgive me-"
"Whom do you mean by 'she'?"
Mr.. Barnham smiled in a knowing
manner
"You and I both know" came his
cryptic answer. "She is your one great,
good friend. She thinks a great deal
Of you. and you have done several
things to cause that admiration. Now.
Mr.. Fairchild, coming to the point,
suppose she should point a way out
of your troubles? In the first place,
you and your partner are In very
great difficulties"
"Are WEI" Fairchild said 1t sarcas-
hcallv