Evening star., 1923-12-30

Of them ALL rang false. The three
pairs of eyes had come to rest on Nc
Keon, fixed aud luminous with ex-
pectancy. The prospector had dis
tinct feeling of suspense, of hidden
significance, Of suppressed excitement.
McKeon's insult had not drawn a
spark from them, fred with injustice
as they had pretended to be.
| McKeon laid his pipe beside him
and rested his huge hands on his
! knees. The speaker met his gaze
squarely. ..ss'.. --.,... s.--
III it is further permitted he went
on rapidly. I'VE would ask to know
! how much of the various sums you
collect you keep for yourself. We
believe-possibly one-fifth. That is
a guess. Ell? So be it. But we are
sure you have taken on this trip some
fifty pesos that will remain in your
pocket Fifty pesos. Are We
right, senor?
MeKeon's shoulders Strengthened
with. jerk. He got slowly to his
feet. his face darkening like a
shadowed cliff. Under knotted, brows
the lights glinted. His long, spare
| body was stopped forward a little.'
'If this is jest, senor-' he began,
with rumble. But the spokesman
/ stopped him.
Your pardon. A moment only. We
| believe we are right concerning the
fifty pesos And If we are, then we
also believe you will be interested in
a small matter which will mean not
fifty, but fifty thousand pesos. i.
Fifty thousand pesos, senor.
There was a silence in the jolting
car. Outside, the blatting of the -ex-
haust bufeted noisily among the
rocks. The three by the door stood
tense. their gaze fixed upon McKeon.
The big conductor, stared back, sway
ing a little.
Fifty thousand echoed the
lheavy-jawed man, purring on the
words. That shall be your share,
I senior. We swear it. Observe. We
have watched. We have seen the
senior. He collects the fares. Good.
Forty, maybe fifty. he keeps for him.
/ self. Good. We admire. And we
say-here is a man who can collect
| fifty pesos for hinself-let us hope
S.het will, help US to collect fortune
III we: are right, he. shall have his
share!"
=. .McKeon- had drawn back a short
step, still staring. The heel of his
boot came in, sharp contact with the
Eciumsy box from which he had risen
| The leader OF the group nodded and
grinned. ''
t-ts5"This senior here" he said, indicat-
ling the prospector, who sat listening
| open-mouthed and wfde-eyed, there
| is no reason why he should remain
| Shall we invite him to the other car
while We further discuss that fifty
that fifty thousand pesos, senor?"
/ McKeon stood as one dazed. but he
| shook his head.
/ $50 be It," continued the other. HE
-tcanuat least do us no harm. Mean
we right concerning the fifty
/ pesos? Tell US that, senior"
And il you areT' quered Nick cor
fslowly.
1 "Ah-if we are.you will doubtless
taccept our offer"
"Your Offer,
The leader pointed to the box al
McKeon.s feet.
you have the substance of i,
4 there he smiled. 'F'ive hundred
pounds of platina. -. Six months
.fproduct OF the mines. -. We know
I'VE have waited. Did they think nt
one would ever learn of their In.
Enocent box and what it held? DID
Ithey think wise ones would never
reach these places? Truly--it is too
! simple. And platina sells itself now
at T0e pesos the pound.
1 McKeon was breathing slow. deeI
tbreaths.
You want me to join you"
s Precisely. And the price equal,
the profits of one thousand journey.
Hike this. Paid into your hand. 4
lis as safe-look you-as easy, as tt
lpocket your fifty. Tho plan Is made
: AZ certain steamer will meet us q
4sF