New Britain herald., 1929-05-20

human life. He came to Torrldlty with nothing but his guns, grew wealthy, and lost everything he had at poker; or so the story goes. '"Ten-to-One" appears to have been the soRriquet he became known by.
 Well. do you want it?" Hyde asked hlandly.
 I wasn't going to be caught too easily. Where did you get it?"
 Hyde blew his nose. That" he said delicately doesn't matter"
 "Oh, yes. it does. If there's a story in it I shall want that, too"
 ''The story" Hyde said smoothly. lis not included in the price. The price is one thousand dollars
 l laughed. wrote him check for $500, and tossed it over. There isn't more than s150 worth of gold in the bullets and filigree'' He picked up the check. precisely tore it into fragments.
 My dear Peebles! 1 said $1,OO0!"
 I cspitulated and wrote him a check. Now give me the story," I growled.
 He gave ne his secret smile in- stead. The story is not include l in the price. Nor is it for sale Here is your receipt"
 And talk as l would I could not get him to change his mind.
 Hyde wrapped my treasure ur while I speculated about the tale l hadn't got. My eye fell on the letter which concealed the article beneath it and I wondered if there was connection between Peter. sons revolver and the subject ol Hyde's conversation with Ham. mond. left the shop as happy a. a boy with the newest thing ir mechanical toys. But if l could have suddenly known the signifi. canoe of what Hyde had refused to tell me. l should have plunged back into his cavernous shop, taker him by the throat, and shaken hin until the story dripped word b, word from between his teeth. might then have been able to aver, the tragedy that was to blast the llNes Of those dearest to me.
 CHAPTER ?
 DEATH OVER THE WIRE
 had several things to do in town so instead of going straight home l dined at Galli's with my old friend captain Beacon, our chief of police, Deacon Tad done more than his share towards making the depart. ment as efficient as any in the state and l respected his keen driving brain.
 The meal over and my business attended to, l drove slowly home It was Just ten minutes past nine when l arrived there. l was to re. member the time.
 Pol!an 1ria reclined on tba hearth. She got lazily up, stretch. cd herself fore and aft and cam, purr!ng towards me. I picked he, up and she made herself comfort, able on my shoulder. Polyandria Is gold-brown Angora, A mag. hiilcent animal. and l suppose I am absurdly fond of her.
 NO more complaints, PoIyan. dria?" l inquired.
 Luther MacNair. a retired nriyate netectlve of considerable reputation had recent come to Magnolia ave. hue. It turned out that he has pas. slon for growing tomatoes. Polyan. ofla got among the vines-so h. said-and some little damage WAS done. l insisted on paying MacNair', estimate of the damage, but he wa. quite nasty about it.
 Lucy danced in just then. Sh, IS always dancing in upon me.
 Look at me instead of polyan. dria. Uncle John. Am l all right ..
 drowned. How should know whether you are all right? ~, Jerry"
 He's busy with his father. Tha, horrid old mine again. He tele. phoned me during dinner. Some thing has happened" "What?"
 "He didn't say. Do you like my new dress?"
 You'll do.' I said. Where ar. you going?"
 To the Chesters. am singing there. Jerry will come for me aftei his father has done with him, suppose. l wish MT. Ogden would let him reopen that old mine. Jerr. believes he can make it pay. don't know why Mir. Ogden is se stupid"
 "He should know best" You old DeOn1e aIvays knov