White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1927-07-22
CHAPTER V-Continued

mot that I ever heard of. The Mil
mans have always been shrewd, con-
servative men. Poor old Peters the
last of 'em, and the best. 1t may be
there's something crazy in wanting to-
live down here, and yet, when I see
what beautiful home he's got and
think Of my shack at Peekskill,' I'M
derstand why he wants to fight to
keep it."
Barnes nodded genial good night
to his visitors. He did not under
stand why they hung back. Already
he was visfoning the future. He
would buy great ranch in California.
And there, with splendid horses to
ride, he would pass the rest of his
days. And, Of course, he would have
his daughter.
When the three men in evening
dress were summoned to breakfast in
the Japanese garden, they found their
host similarly clad. Whether he had
not been to bed, or whether he had
dressed thus to make their own garb
less singular, they did not know. They
knew only that they found him free
from embarrassment and as courteous
ly considerate as he had been at din
ner. Not during the meal was anything
said about his proposition. Milman
talked freely Of his garden and the
rare plants in it.
A little dial at his side attracted
Bradney's notice. He saw that wire
was attached to 1t leading to the north
wall.
"a little burglar device of my own"
Milman explained. "By it am en-
abled to detect the presence Of any
thing on the iron screen which shuts
this place in. For example, If I find
the dial indicates five pounds in
weight, and that the object is moving
can tell almost certainly 1t is wan
dering cat. If hundred and sixty
pounds, I can be sure of burglar
looking for an opening. Cats are fire.
quent visitors. In the score of years
this garden has existed I have had
no more than seven burglars"
"What happens to them?" Barnes
asked. "How do you get them?"
II extinguish the lights here and
the shades are drawn back. By flu
minating the marked area, see the
intruder and have him at my mercy.
keep loaded shotgun handy, and
there lis seldom any difficulty in the
matter. Only one ever got through.
The alarm must have been out of
order, for he sawed his way in during
dinner and broke his neck on stone
known, very amusingly, as the Stone
of the Respectful Visitor I am very
well protected here. I have had time
to elaborate certain devices which
make me feel perfectly safe. The po-
lice assure me that my cellar is the
attraction. It Is stored with what was
\ laid down many years ago and the law
allows me to keep"
| Watching the speaker carefully,
Bradney had come to the conclusion
| that his host was wholly sane. "Tye
made up my mind" he said, when
Achille had gone
"Well?" said Milman. He felt If
Bradney failed that Malet would be
dissuaded. "Well?'
'T'm with you"
II thought you would be when you
had had time to reflect that what is
unlawful Is not always negotiable. I
am very grateful. And you, Mr..
Malet?"
"Count me in"
IT don't think Mr.. Milman has any
doubts about me-" Neeland Barnes re-
marked.
Peter Milman smiled little. I. he
rather liked this big man. II had no
doubts about you. Now that we are
agreed, let us discuss the thing"
First of ALL" Bradney said, what
are your plans?"
II have no plans" Milman returned
l see that you look disappointed. Evil
IDENTIFY you expected me to have the
whole thing cut and dried. That, gen.
tlemen, seems unreasonable. What
object should have in inviting you
here If l were able to accomplish the
thing alone? approach the problem