White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1927-07-15
CHAPTER Iv-Continued

II have none now. That Is hardly
true. have enough to live on In
this house for three months. Then
the mortgage will fall due. There will
be an auction sale and an end of the
New York Milmans''-he paused
unless"
"Unless whatY Bradney demanded.
"You complained few minutes ago,
and justly, that I had listened to your
condolences and given none of my own.
Very we'll. You shall hear me now.
To begin with, am prepared to aban-
don the conventions and habits of
lifetime in order to keep this home
Of mine. / was born here, and wish,
when my eyes are to close forever, to
die here. I have suffered disappoint-
ments in my earlier life that have not
made me anxious to go about and be
pointed out as the Peter Milman
whose wife ran away from him. My
with equanimity after these solitary
years where never an unwelcome per-
son came to disturb me-"
OF the three watching him, Neeland
Barnes was conscious Of the deepest
depression. Miflnan had brought him
here under false pretenses. All those
dreams of future prosperity were idle
ones. The man was almost as down
and out as he himself He must go
back and try to persuade Lippsky to
let him live rent free until something
turned up. There was always Mil
mans hundred to hold against the bad
day. SWELL" said Neeland Barnes,
almost alphabetically, "what are you
going to do about it?"
Peter Milman's answer amazed them
all. 1t was given in way where
doubt had no part. He was confident
without being assertive.
II am going to get my money back
from Raxon," he said.
'"But you have said he's above the
law" Bradney retorted.
"And l mean it. had not thought
of .invoking that sort of law. There
Is an older one"
/ Malet looked at him in sudden com
prehension. Long since he had seen
something iron behind the smile OF
the well-bred host. This was not any
longer merely quiet, middle-aged
gentleman who faced them. 1t was an
avenger Malet wondered the others
did not see Milman as he did, Captain
Oliver come to life again.
Don't you see," he explained, "Mr
Milman means that he is going to gel
Raxon somehow, law or no law?" The
whole thing was now plainly discern
ible to him.
To Barnes 1t seemed that madness
had seized upon the recluse of FIFTH
avenue. Peter Milman represented tt
him all the conventions Of an estab
lished order, an order which frowne(
upon the ways Of adventures.
zone man wouldn't have chance
against Raxon," he exclaimed BE
sides that, Mr.. Milman isn't that sor
Of man."
my dear sir" said Milman, ant
there was a queer smile on his face
"for what purpose do you suppose
have invited to my house three mel
who might, but for Paul Raxon, hav'
been rich and famous7 Was 1t merel,
coincidental that you three shoult
have been his victims, while mad
up fourth7"
Peter Milman was by all odds tn
calmest Of them all. Even Bradney
the slowest to be Influenced, expert
enced an emotion Of excitement.
"The only point now to be decided,
Peter Milman went on, lis whethe
or not you will join me-" He looke'
, from one to the other Of them wit
that curiously steady gaze of his. !
was the expression that Captain Oh
yer had lent him, an expression whic
, would have been puzzle to thos
who had known him well In othe
days. well, gentlemen. what is
to bew