The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-06-01


averted the threatened shipping strike
and saved yourself the loss of at least
one of your millions by bribing a
well-known labor leader to declare for
peace instead of war. You and one
other great shipOwner were alone CON
cerned in this matter. That other
man, I gather, is dead"
Lord Kindersley was staring at me
with a queer look in his eyes. His
voice when he answered me, was IN
steady.
What on earth are you talking
about?"
took two documents from my
pocket and moved a little nearer to
him.
Here" 7 said, rs Rendalls pro-
posed speech. counseling the strike
and signed by the leaders of the
various unions. Here. also, is your
letter to Kendall. making him the
offer of $4,000 pounds to withhold il.
which sum was paid to him the next
evening at the National Liberal
Club"
All the initial affability and conde-
scension had gone from Lord Kin
Gersley's manner. He looked like a
man on the verge of a collapse.
My Cod he muttered. Kendall
swore he had destroyed my letter."
He instructed his wife to do so
She retained it for her own purposes
A few months ago her husband
divorced her. This is her revenge. She
has sold the copy of the speech and
the letter TO me. I know. also. the
other facts in connection with the
case"
Lord Kindersley took out his hand
kerchief and mOpped his forehead
Already he began to see his way.
Il will buy those documents from
you" he proposed.
Your Lordship." 1 replied. u am
not a blackmailer."
You shall receive the money quite
safely" he went on eagerly. II
should not dream of communicating
with the police. I shall look upon it
as an equitable business transaction.
Name your price. I am not a mean
man."
Neither, rs remarked before. am
1 a blackma1ler." I persisted My
use for these letters IS predestined.
They go TO the press"
Lord Kindersley sprang 70 his feet
Listen" he said impressivelv; no
newspaper would deal with you as
literally as I am prepared TO do.
Those documents must not no pub
lished, If it were generally known
that l ad-ah-inflUenced Kendall 10
hold up that speech. labor would de
clare war against me tomorrow. Not
a man would stay in my employ. Be
sides. it would bring discredlt upo,,
my party. It would ruin me p0liti
caily as well as actually. Come. now.
Mr.. Buckross. you look like a bust
ness man. Let's talk business. III
write YOU a check for 10000 pounds
this morning"
Your Lordship," I replied EFF 7
dealt with you in the way you suc
gest il, would amount to a criminal
offense. Ny conscience forbids 1t. r
can deal with the press fairly and
openly. Your political ruin I canno,
help Your financial ruin I may help
you to modify. I offer you four days
grace, during which time you had bet
ter get rid of as many of your shares
in the Kindersley Shipping COMPANY
as you can"
You promise 10 do nothing for four
days." Lord Kindersley exclaimed
eagerly.
Il promise"
He leaned back in his chair anu
mopped his forehead.
We'll, that's a respite at any rate. ,"
he said. Now. Mr.. Buckross, you
and I have got to understand each
other on this deal"
We shall never get to any nearer
understanding each other than we do
at present. I assured him.
Rubbish he answered. What l
want you TO do is to get that black.
mailing idea out Of your head Look
here; stay and have lunch with me.
and We'll discuss the matter over
cigar and glass Of wine"
Il should be taking your lunch un-
der false pretenses," I replied. ris
ing and buttoning my coat You
have promised"
He followed me to the door. entreat.
ing me for my address. So convinced
was he that I would change my
mind, that he sent his secretary out
into the street after me- In the end
1 made my escape by promising to
see him again on the evening Of the
third day.
I took my usual leisurely lunch
and afterward made my way to the
uninspiring neighborhood Of Streath-
am. The Towers" which ! had dis
covered from a book Of references to
be Mr.. Edward Rendalls address.
was a hopelessly vulgar edifce Of
gray stone. approached by what is
generally described as a short car
riage drive. The popular NJ. P. as
was his boast, was not in the least
difficult of access. He came into the
room within a few minutes. a pine in
his mouth. and giving evidence Of all
the easy gOod-nature which befitted
his position.
Don't know who you are. Mr..
Buckross.' he said. notices with some
surprise that I had not availed myself
of the opportunity of shaking hands
with him, but sit down. and welcome.
What can I do for you?"
Il have brought you bad news, Mr..
Kendall" I announced.
THE devil you have" he answered.
removing his pipe from his teeth and
staring at me. Who are you. any
way? 1 don't seem to recognize your
name"