The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-05-24
THIS BEGINS THE STORY


 through the guard, a-h talks to
 the housekeeper, who evidently
 knows him but will mot admit
 the fact to Peter. Peter sus-
 poets he is either the father of
 Beth Cameron Ga beautiful girl
 living in the neighborhooO or 8
 nephew of the housekeper but
 he knows nothing of what hold
 he has on Mcclure, nor will Mo
 Guire tell him. McGuire, how
 ever, is badly shaken when Peter
 finds a warning to 'EMike Mo
 Guire'' and signed Hawk
 which says, among other things,
 "You know what I've got and
 know what you've got. Act
 pronto." ''He speaks of coming
 on Friday night,'' says Peter to
 Mcclure.
 AND HERE TT CONTINUES
 es-yes-F'riday." And then. his fingers trembling along the plac- ard. "Ive got to do what he wants this time-just ths time-
 McGuire was gasping out the phrases as though each of them was wrenched from his throat. And then, with an effort at self-control:
 "Sit down, Nichols,' he n1uttered. Since you've seen this. I-Pu have to tell --ou more. I-I-think-In need you-to help me-
 Peter obeyed, f1attered by his en- ployer's manner and curious as to the imminent revelations.
 ''I may say that-this-this Hawk is a-an enemy of mine, Nichols-a bitter enemy-unscrupulou man better dead than alive. Fl wish to God you'd shot him last night.''
 Sorry, sir" said Peter cheerfu1ly. live got to do what he wants this time. I can't have this sort of Black Rock reading these damn thing gotn' on-with everybody in things. You're sure my daughter Peggy knows nothing?"
 ''Id be pretty sure of that"
 But she might-any time-if he puts up moro placards. I've got to stop that, Nichols. This thing mustn't go any further
 ''I think you may trust me-
 Yes I think I can- I've got to trust you now, whether I want to or no. The man who wrote this scrawl is the man I came down her to get away from.' Petcr waited while Mcclure pause. E'Y ou may think it's very strange. It is strange. I knew this man-calIed Hawk" many years ago. + thought he was dead, but he's come back"
 Mcclure paused again. the placard in his hands, reading the line which
 
 ''He speaks of something I've got something he's got. Nichols. It's a paper-a-er-a partnership paper we drew up years ago-out West and signed. That paper is of great value to me. As long as he holds it I-,'' Mcclure halted to wipe the sweat from his pallid brow. He holds it as a-welI-not exactly as a threat but as a kind of menace to my happiness and Peggy'S''
 "I understand. sir," put in Peter quietly. 'Blackmal, in short"
 Exact1y-er-blackm He want ed S5.000-in New York. I refused him - there's no end to black1nail once you yield-and I came down here-but he followed me BIrt I've got to get that paper away from him."
 eff you were sure he had it with That's just it. He's to smart for that. He's got it hidden somewhere. I've got to get this money for him from New York-I haven't got 1t in the house-before. Friday night" "But blackmail-i" i've got to. Nichols-this time. I've go to-"
 "I wouldn't sir,'' said Peter stout ly- But you don't know everything. I've only told you part" said Mo- Guire. almost whining. This Is no ordinary olackmai1. I've got to be quick. I'm going to get the money I'm going to get you to go tol New York and get it.'' s'MeY' "Yes. Yes This Is Wednesday. can't take any chances of not having it here Friday Peggy is going back this afternoon. I'll get her to drive you up. TR phone Sheldon to expect you-he'H give you the money and you can come back tomorrow" But tonight-' He knows the danger of trying to reach me. That's why he wrote this. | I won't be Sothered tonight. I'll shut the house tight and put some of the ! men inside. If he come we'll shoot" But Friday Do you mean. sir, that you'll go out to him with l S5,OOO and risk--'' NO, won't. You wil1,'' said Mo | Guire, watching Peters face craftily. l "Oh. I see." replied Peter. aware | that he was being drawn more deeply | into the plot than he had wished l ''You want me to meet him."
 Mcclure noted Peters dubious | tone and at once got up and laid | his hands upon his shoulders.
 You'll do this for me. won't you. Nichols? I don't want to see this ], man. I can't explain There would n't be any danger. He hasn't any thing against you. Why should he | have? haven't any one else that I can trust-but Stryker. And Stryker -well-I'd have to tell Stryker. You know already. Don't say you refuse Its-it's proof of my confidence You're just the man 1 want here. ! I'll make 1t worth your while to stay | with newell worth your while
 Peter was conscious of a feeling | partly of pity, partly of contempt, for | the cringing creature paving at his | shoulders. Peter had never liked to paved. It had always rubbed l i'm the wrong way. But McGuire's eed was great and pity won.