Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1930-10-17
CHAPTER XTII-Continued

81 held notes on MIN as security
for business that he transacted through
his Contemporaries 1 could not af-
ford to have in my name. He thought
I would not dare to sell his notes, he
having so much information about me.
No use going into the ugly details. He
woke up too late to find out that his
transactions were with me--the COM
oany he was dealing with was mine
he sold my property to me. 1t was
who bought from him what he had no
right to sell. 1 stopped payment on
the checks he held, had his notes,
and he was holding-the bag"
But how could you? That's not
right. You couldn't do that"
"Why not?" asked Pastano. II was
cleverer than he. What could he do?
What could he say? called in his
notes. Either he had to pay me, or
would sell them to his bank for
discount. He put in his stone stock
sound property-and recovered his
notes. Then he found all his debts
due on the same day. He lost seven
ness taken right out of his Office He
sold his car and yesterday he mort
gagged his house. And today-unless
it's stopped-he's going to be in
dicted."
Ernestine got to her feet.
"But, Ruby-how can you do this
to Loring? He does know things
about you"
every little" answered Pastano
evenly. DEMONSTRATING whole.
Part of this deal-part of that. His
own activities will shine much worse
in court than his connections with me.
Do you think am fool enough to put
myself in jeopardy with man like
Loring7"
Ernestine made q little moan, and
he began to speak quickly, vehemently,
with a strange sternness and justice
In his face.
HE came to me-he sought the con-
nection--he was eager for any work.
He offered to do things for me that
wouldn't let him do. He was well
paid, and he didn't play the game. His
fees were big-business was thrown to
him from a dozen directions mac
cessible to him five years ago. He sat
where he wanted to sit-in the lap Of
city politics, and he grew weary Of his
mistress. He wished to exploit her
desert her. So he schemed and
planned. But you cannot get into the
til IL out
Ernestine, looking at him, felt the
sucking breath of the vortex. But
what have 1 to do with thls?" she
asked. "What can I do for Loring?
You haven't told me this without some
purpose"
"First let me show you why can
do nothing for him myself-it is easier
to start landslide than to stop it.
1t was my intention-no, my determin-
ation--to ruin him, to have him de-
barred, disgraced, sent to the peniten-
tiary, If 1 could. 1t seemed necessary.
Here, all about me, are these young
men-lieutenants-gangsters, If you
like the newspaper word better. They
are my army. We must have loyalty
In any army. We must have obedi-
ence. Loyalty and obedience, first,
because they have confidence in me,
that am wise, that will take care of
them while they stay with me, that
am competent to meet all situations.
But IL man is disloyal, all the rest
must see what becomes of him. 10y
atty, first, because of confidence; Sec
ond, because Of fear. When admira-
ton fails, fear remains"
'But you are not going to ruin Lor-
ing now?" she said eagerly. "You have
changed your mind-you have some
planT
"No," he said slowly, mo, not l.
I have no plan to save Loring Hamil-
ton. have no desire to save him. l
would not lift my little finger for Lor-
ing Hamilton. 1t is inevitable that he
should fail, should be punished. Even
If wanted to do something for him
now. 1 could not. His treachery is
known to others as well as to myself.
Money is needed If 1 should with
draw money from my own private
from funds that are available for gifts,
when It is necessary, it would be in
stantly known. No-in the first place,
don't want to help Loring. II he
were my own brother, l would feel
that he must follow his course alone.
Nor could 1 help him, even If liked,
but''-he looked at her intently so that
for a moment it seemed that she was
lost, hypnotized by his great dark eyes
you can help him, If you like,
Ernestine."
'aTell me-" she whispered. "What
can 1 do?"
He put his hand in his pocket and
took out his big silver watch. Laying
the fiat Of his palm upon it, he twisted
1t, unscrewed the back of the watch
and took from between the outer and
inner cases small piece of paper,
folded once across. He sat, his dis
membered watch in one hand, and the