The San Francisco call. [volume], March 13, 1910, Page 6, Image 6

About The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913

Image provided by: University of California, Riverside; Riverside, CA

                
LUKE THRICE
A FIGURE stole from the shadow of the hedge,
advanced two rapid and stealthy steps, and
flung itself upon the lodge keeper without a
sound. The man fell from his chair and grap
pled desperately with his assailant. Robert Carter,
held motionless by the suddenness of the attack,
stared at the grotesque, heaving mass in the moon
light. He was about to rush in with a cry when
two more figures darted from the hedge and threw
themselves upon the two.
The struggle was short ' Silently, as men who act
tipon a careful plan, the three subdued -the one, held
Hs erms behind his back and bound them. When
they had him safe the first released his. hold of the
lodge keeper's throat -'There came a choking, gasping
breath, stifled the next instant by a blow. -A hand
kerchief was stuffed in the victim's throat and he lay
quietly enough. The three stood looking down at
him. Carter drew back swiftly behind the massive
granite gatepost
The note of violence thrust thus sharply athwart
the peaceful pastoral with its jangling discord left
him conrusea ana unnervea. ne naa icarnea at mc
town, where he was spending a week in retreat, of
the arrest in New York of Paley Benham, president
of the Matrix national bank. Moved partly by lack
of occupation and desire for a stroll, partly by some
vague thought that he might learn further details, he
had walked the two miles to Benham'6 magnificent
country home above the Hudson.
He had been one of a house party at Benham's
place a year before. He. had remembered that the
long, white 6tone building at the crest of its sloping
lawn was a thing of marvelous beauty on nights of
clear moonlight like this. While almost certain that
Benham's family was abroad and that there would
be no one on the property but the care taker, he had
allowed his impulse to carry him the lonely road to
the gates. He had noticed the lodge keeper sitting
over an evening pipe at the door of the lodge. He
had even started forward, with a pleasant greeting on
his lips, when the rush of the dark figure checked him.
The voices of the three came to him, but even in
the isolation of the vast estate they spoke in low tones
and he could not distinguish words. He glanced up
at the house with a first, instinctive thought to raise
the alarm, but the pale, ghostly white of the facade
was blank. He sank to his heels, crouching in the
blackest of the shadow.
He could see after some minutes that two of the
assailants had lifted the lodge keeper, who lay-on his
face, and were carrying him toward the lodge. - He:
could not make out their faces. They were dressed in
black, with wide, soft hats, pulled low." They disap
peared with their burden into the little dwelling.
Presently came a flutter and then a 'steady glow of,
yellow light from within. It showed him a small win
dow on the side facing the road where he was hidden.
The third and smallest of the men remained outside
the lodge in the shadow, leaning against the door and
looking in.
NONE OF HIS AFFAIR ;
v Rpbert Carter debated his own part in all this. It
was strictly none of his affair. His policy was never
to engage in adventures not; clearly dictated by his
interest. He had little taste for risks, as risks. Who
were these three? Burglars or tramps? Scholl,the
lodge keeper, would suffer nothing more. than a night
of confinement at their hands. No, he was certainly,
not concerned.
All this he argued when he had recovered from the
shock of surprise. The fact that he .was -without', a'
revolver completed. the case, and the clear conclusion
was that he had best betake himself quietly to; the
town and notify the constable. But a thought held
him. It was a strange trick of fate that on the very,
day that brought Benham's/arrest his home should be
entered. Dwelling upon this for a moment,; he forgot:
the part of discretion and moved cautiously toward
the-window.- The third man's back was turned and a
few steps placed the corner* of the lodge between"
them. The sill was well above hisy head^when he
stood upright and he did not dare to raise himself. \u25a0-[\u25a0\u25a0
"So all you've got to do; my friend, is to. accept the
matter in. a philosophical spirit and wait patiently
until'some wandering rustic comes to your aid/'; said
a voice. Garter, felt a 'thrill of. quickening curiosity..
This was rio-burglar or else he represented the very
pink of the profession. SchoH made no answer." broh-
HfISBHBI^9!fIBBHHHIHHBHBfIIBSSHEfI9
THE SOCIETY WOLF
A VOLUNTIIJt GARRISON
ably for the ample reason provided by, the handker
chief. Steps began, shuffling, and mounted the stairs
with awkward halting. Apparently they were carry
ing the helpless Scholl up to his , bedroom. The
watcher outside entered, as if the removal of the lodge
keeper was his signal. A few minutes later the
steps descended. They had not reached the .bottom
when .the one waiting below called out, "Did you find
the keys?" The tone was thin and nervous, that of a
very young man. <
"Not a key," was the answer. There was a scrap
ing of chairs as the three took their, seats.
"But there must be one."
"Hold on, Ralph," said the voice that had enjoined
Scholl to patience. "Don't jtt hysterical: He has
some keys, all right, but you can hardly expect him to
produce them unless you care to apply the torture or
something of the kind. He's a faithful old beast."
"Then how are we to "get in?" persisted the other.
"Not much trouble about that, I guess."
"Do you think he saw me, recognized me?" \u25a0.
"No. For heaven's sake keep cool, Ralph. You
give me the fidgets. Get a grip on yourself//' We've
got' the whole night befbr'e us. There's no one within
half a mile at, least and the whole thing is like picking
The one wKb'had^nofyet spoken broke in. The
heavy* timbre of his voice served as well as a personal
history to inform the listener that his was a. different
type. "V' know the combination all right,' do y'?
Ain't forgotten it," have y'?" ,
"No," said he addressed as Ralph. "I was afraid^
I might forget it, and .I've written it .do^yri'to"make
sure." — »
His questioner grunted ungraciously. Carter/heard,
him move about the' room to the accompaniment of
the grunts and out into the little kitchen.; Return-,
ing, he clattered something- on- the table.
>:; TAKING A' BITE /V ' : ?; .
"There's ham and bread -and beer," he announced
during the ' operation. "Not much for a guy what
: had i the whole -place -to /himself." . ... ;
/ "But— but— you're not going to eat now?" stamps
mered Ralph shrilly. ;
"That's what I'm/doin';. my son," returned 'the
other with full mouth." "Ain't ho use goin' empty/ on _
'a job." \u25a0' J \u25a0' /; ";' X. :-,-/:/./;/''// -0
Carter could almost see the gesture/from his cobler
: companion that. restrained the reply of the'excitable
\Ralph. Silence' followed. "The Virginian,^ keen 'to
know the purpose that brought this ill assorted band
of thugs to'Benham's place; waited impatiently.
"What time was : he arrested ?" asked the cool one.
. "At 4 o'clock," returned Ralph. * ./
/v "Can't possibly get; bail -before 1 noon tomorrow,";
was the comment. •' ;/ > ; .-; \u25a0-\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0"" -. '-.' : /..
. "He 'might get a message, to some one and send"
/them up here."; ;.. .»/.,- • ,";,- /./:'/ ': ''\u25a0"'\u25a0
," You forget that the train we : came \u25a0 on, at 6 o'clock;
.was the last until, 8 o'clock in the morning.^ No
use; Ralph, you can't; work up a scare/any way you
put"it/ It's. too easy. . Handme.theloaf."- /
The discussion was closed,* apparently; and '\u25a0^^ Carter
"did not linger. , He stole back to the hedge and along
\u25a0in its^shadow.V; If he knew no more he at least knew
that these men/weVenb common yburglars and that:
•their movements .'were timed by. Benham'ss misfortune. '
They meant to open: a safe: What -; they i would take
' therefrom; was probably, more precious •• to Benham •
\ than money. or jewels. / „ ' : -•_• - ; ',% y
-\ • It : wasrchara'ctefistic ' of / the: Virginian "that /he :
formed his decision when .lie ; gleaned so much fof j *thej
/situation. He would take; a' hand in this game.:/'Bep
\u25a0 ham had ' beeiv rather,; friendly with-him,* but -it was not
,a matter.bf loyalty "or gratitude. He;knew ; Benham
for/one ;. of' the most /brilliant,' dashing : ' and- successful
"'financiers of the decade, sure to "come* back" Jin spite
of /all checks. Here .was a/chance, ;prbvidentiallS ;
THROUGH THE;OPENING CAME; THE FLASH AND STUNNING REPORT, OF A REVOLVER.
offered, to confirm a life long claim upon a powerful
figure in the- world of- wealth.- v
At the .point on the . liedge where the shrubbery
circled but' about' the lawn" he .turned toward /the
hoiise. Screened from the:lbdgc by the scanty fall
\u25a0 '\u25a0/\u25a0\u25a0' ' : . "" \u25a0 -':\u25a0'\u25a0\u25a0' •": - \u25a0').. --' \u25a0- ' '.' :"\u25a0 : '\u25a0 \u25a0\u25a0'\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0•< '
• foliage he broke into a run. The windows on the first
floor of the /Benham . Vcsidence/wcrc ; protected; ; by
storm shutters.-- He. passed around the side to the
pofte, c6chere.:.The w arch under which -the drive ran
was built, like the/house itself, bf rough* granite blocks.
A stout/'wcll grown "ivy grew from the lawn; side.
The/.vine.'gavehim hand/ holds, and he found toe"
grips on the projections of the stone. v--.lt, .was a sharp,
painful scramble,^but he won to tlie. roofof the arch. -
He made hisT, 'way;-; from there-, to -the ; roof of the
veranda and /began^ to; try "''the. windows; ' He found'
. .them -too; safely fastened 'for his one tool," a penknife.
At /the! rear of the house" he -boldly, smashed a pane "
with the handle. Throwing the'lock heopened ,the
«- window and- stepped inside. ' : .' ,
\u25a0He • remembered .the'arrangement of the houseand
felt his way .alqng-the corridor and down the ; stairs.
lii the wide entrance hall at the foot he" had in miiid/a.
roomy bricked ••fireplace, fitted with huge brass';and
-'irons and implements.' His j groping -hand found the
. frame at the side^and;hanging therefrom, the-20 ppund
-'poker. //Armedfwith i-thlsYtradjtional'-hqusehbld'jWeapon;
he,was more : cbhfident. - \.; .
/"An hour- passed^ before; his intent ear; caught the.,
first intimation r of the. approach 'of the. invaders. \ flThe
; sound came, from the ' library/ at the side , of the/house
opposite that tliroiigh tlie .porte cochere:
•There was \u25a0a/ small \u25a0door-, to the ..veranda fhere/ he
/ recalled. .: -He hurried Uo>" the library." -In . the corner
wasfa steep/flight "of ;stairs|leadirfgHo. a gallery 'that
\u25a0/: ran '/about ..'the > room. /Standing, on -the - third . attd '
\u25a0/fourth / steps 'if he -Avas . placed well ' above /arid -within
. strikirigidistance/of.-any^one opening the/door. \u25a0
//.While: he\ was} faking; his ! . pos'itiq'n, "-.pbker.V swung
-'over; shoulder, 7 a/steel^tqqth' was. biting '-'and \u25a0tearing at
the door. Neither; lqclcnbrj ;wbqd : was'strqng. - There i
was a /."splintering '-crash' and -it jarred open/. The; three •
/men whose Vshoiilders^had /been thrown .against .it
/were, jammed (in/thV/eritr^
•:.. of t'sileiice^broken- by/ Carter's iyell-'aslheib'rbughrtJTe;
* poker down qnjthe'i nearest head. ; Taken "wholly, by <
'-.' surprise Uh'e: party 5 /huddled -b'ackiwith . cries 'of^terror,
stumbling'and'falling oycrVne another. in their/ frantic
*effofts to escaped this -unseen? anjd^unsiispected/jfoe^.
\u25a0f The * Virginian'^ saw/ fleeting ; fi gures ' on : the lawn and
' stepped, out^tojtheriveranda";/, . \u25a0 , "- ' • •/ •
v FOUND HIMUNCONSCIOUS;^/
./A form lay sprawled at fiis'feet./v Stooping cldse , he
could make? out/ in'. 'the: dim/light, the "; thin /faceKqf «a"
; y oun "g * man ;i scarcely * mbr e '\u25a0';^ tharf^ a/- boy. \u25a0/- Wi th , some
: v'diffictilty;' he \ dragged v his victim .; into ; the .
\u25a0 vhquse andpropped hini r against '."the i stairs;,i".With; furri-"
: -biihg : fingers^h^ef bamiaged ]the/;boy's) head;^using^his]
.*-• handkerchief and'stariching the:flow v frqm^a;cut[inithe"
scalp.- 7•7 • Theri/he^closeditheYdoor
to/ push : the - heavy [library '* table /against/it/. ~*'\vl fthe*
;~; ~ darkness he could ;hear^ :thc : -labored "lb'reathingi'bf ih'isi
./\u25a0'.;*>--];»:/ \u25a0J.'%^.iyV-'-' .^r^- """/". •/\u25a0\u25a0'•*-/\u25a0 \u25a0'•';.r '*\u25a0 \u25a0\u25a0'-\u0084:,'
\u25a0 \\u25a0 - .Waiting //there in/ momentary J 'expectation .v of },\u25a0 a 1a 1
• renewed ; attackf.^an'd i/ runriirigibyer /the i, meai^s 1 by
.which, he might^ repel'! it/- he I : bethought ihimr that* he
.ha d , n ot Iye t _ search edTthi s - n e w ; com partion . He i had'
"hisJrewafd.^for/iiVftlieVHoy.'s/'hiplpock^et/lfe;
\;p revolver of^smallf caliber /jfullyVloaded.r ashe/qmckly^
\u25a0 -: : . assured' himself. i t-r # Tlie«'D6ssessio"n of the^ arm'lenttbim^
* '\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0".;-l, v •;--\u25a0'.' \u25a0\u25a0-. ' \u25a0\u25a0> >*.--'r \u25a0i:(: | -"»',,->i>-.t-p.iA.i-.- 'v-r. at -.--.;>;, i^'- \u25a0••\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0 <:--'. -
new courage. Fifteen minutes went by.. The wounded
youth stirred and groaned.- •\u25a0
\u25a0' "-."Better?." asked Carter, his own voice echoing*
strangely in the black void of the house.
"Who — who is that?" came the faltering answer//* ;>
"Why, I'm' the chap who gave you that, clip on the
head," returned Carter amiably! ? "And a good job. for
you that you -wore a -stiff derby/ Apparently the
other-reflected painfully upon his cause for congratu-
Jlatioh;-for.*someftinie.^ ' \u25a0•••
"I suppose you're one of Benham's men,'- he said .
... "Then it's 'air up,"- was the comment. '•;; ;"> /
\, "Right again, Ralph. my, boy,".s aid Carter. An'ex-*~
/clamation'and a scrambling movement- from the' stairs
told him that the word had told. "Sit down and keepi
quiet,"' warned : the Virginian. • "The : physician has v
particularly.^insisted ftMtVybu are not; to get excited :
"and that ( any exertion /will, be 'followed by. unfortunate :
complications.. That's-better/. . ' ';....'
/ "Now look here, Ralph," r - Carter ;/Went ".on,- more
'pleasantly, "you're'a* prisoner of war, understand?
'Just; at > present you're in my . hands, to . do with •as• I .
.please. You identify me as" one of> Benham's men:: I
\u25a0 am, tothe, extent that I'm herejto' interfere "with the:
ggime'of you and your friends,- whatever itis. They've
gone away and left you. j In the meantime/ being in a -
'position/ to dictate;. terms, • I -want' toj know what .this",
precious raid was all : about." ' "/: . ' s'. ,
\ There was no answerjfromthe^stairs..^' .' V •
;. ';,, "I can understand," of course*; that ybu don't'eare to
tell ; me," said Carter, /after^ a pause.. "If. I gu«ss
aright it's not altogether.'.to your credit/ .'But it'may'
be to :y6ur. advantage. v ;Let"me make, the? situation
clearer. I'ye got. you/ and' I .mean'to keep you, if. I'
want to.' Before^ many [ hpurs some of. the/ trades-,
.people, from the -town YwilK find the lodge keeper, br
\u25a0i ßenham's messenger will' arrive, -or Benham •
-\.himself come/ ; In • any case, if ' you're - still \ here"/
you'll be- behind bars *by <night 'for -burglary/' "Ugly
w6rd,*isn't'it?" •, ' : ' ' : - :•
r.V; ; SYMPATHETIC -LISTENER; - ;
.•'/_;-;, "A" hard dra wn,: breath /came •frbrn'the' stairs.' ,
's<\-'."l*. thought! you'd. find* it'so^^Ralph^my: boy," I'm .
% not a prejudiced J person. 4 On the/contrary/ I'm .quite
/reasonable. I happen"alohg;here"just,in.time : to head »
you andyourJfriends off. }/Frbrnfwhat?; -I^don't know.-'
.'But ; l ; want ' to find but. / / Now/, let : me > hear 3 the".whole\
/ story. /You- can- wager J'll'.listeha whole lot' more
sympathetically than;aj*udge and* a s jury, will.".- :\u25a0 : \
\u25a0 . "How/dbfyou- know 'my. jiairie?"-' asked the, weak
/.voice. : / /' "_' ' ./• - ' - - '\u25a0' /;;'\u25a0 . ;\\:.\; \ .'\u25a0.'\u25a0"./\u25a0'.,
: //. "I, was outside the Jqdge while ; the others .were
-; attending to the care-taker/'^ ..-•;'' ''* ;'-.;'"''
. . "Then\ Benham; doesn't' know ?" '. : : / '*
\u25a0**- v , "Probably-. he .. bnly-'siispects from ; the ilook ,bf 'the
ithiiTg./-^ But ;l 'tell. yo'u' frankly, Ralph,>rmuri.the dafk,\
/ and -your ; la*t 'i. chance '.to /get \ but" gracef ully^is ' to r let :
me-iri." / •'":"•';:• •";'- : ./* : -.^-^'" -/\u25a0//• ,-S. \u25a0'•. '''"'\u25a0. \u25a0\u25a0'\u25a0 -- "•V-'j!-".'
,-;;.\' ."Well,". \u25a0•returnedvthejother: slowly, '"l- can't quite
3: place .-"you, v but ; if j you . really :fwan( ; tp/ know." I'd • .b"etter>.
? let' you^l- suppose.-. < I'll; do' the best ; I can "though ..my ''*
a?beehiye"and'. : it'sJnot^a ? niceYstory. I
i : - : .'i Z-"Vm [^ Ralph Nittbn.""?l>guVss.yqu'knoWme,7-he'has-:
/tened'qn W
> father, •straightened that vlast; scrape/ for; me at ; Ca- \u25a0
Hbridge-h'e ; f ound^aplaCeUor^me as'-Benharn-s . secretary.
'Jlviived^ herelwithlßenharhjlast summer.*<>l : tried:to:d6
\ the; ngh\;thjng l ibm;Benharri!wasji't; any/ too "cons
r;_ ate^. ideserved\atl vlfgov Ifgot \u25a0 and i he " \u25a0couldn't '
' r */." "Any way ,;l : left him/a .morith^agb/^ My} father/Jet ;
/me' live athome./ He "never gave* me accent and; he' t was ',
'/always/ati me f or ; the messjl'dlmadeiof : things: I.w as "
vin'.withVa-spendingf crowd;^^ and^well,' a£fellqw 'took'
San -Francisco -Sunday Call
'-'*'\u25a0 --"- '\u25a0\u25a0'. : ,•• , . . _, t, nm T rnnTri make a
me aside one day and showed me how 1 coma ma*c a
lot of money. I held out at first, but after a quarrel
with 'my. father I -accepted.. -I .was^wildto have the
means to do asl liked, to be quit of one and another
that "had - always ' held a whip over me. I had the
combination to Benham's, safe and the man knew it.
- "W£sfthat your}soft spoken friend, who was so
fanxibus to have you keep cool?"
"Yes. . He's asoft of hanger on and confidential
'functionary: for some- big ; peopleV The fight against
: : BenVarh goes. pretty far up; I guess, but I never heard
who was .back of it. They learned in some "way that
Benliam. was, keeping a. lot of his personal securities
here. : Benham didn't see any risk in that, but it was
£ood: enough for them.
•"This morning it was found that a teller had
cleared out with $100,000 worth of negotiable bonds
iromVthe" Matrix national. They had charges ft.
irregularity ready and there was a» run on the bank.
/Before 'Benham could get away to grab his securities
they, had him under arrest. Then we three, the agent
and a bruiser and I, were sent down. If it had gone
as planned BenhamVmessenger would have taken a
package out of the safe" all. right. It wouldn't h^ave
hejd Benham's personal. securities, but it would have
held ', some of the stolen bonds and the messenger
would have been arrested just as he delivered the
package to Benham, with 'evidence of participation
in .'the teller's theft." .
' Carter whistled. "Truly a nice story," he said.
Then he checked a further question and listened,
rigidly. Something had rasped on the steps to the
'veranda outside the library door. He caught up the
revolver and the poker.
"Ralph," he whispered, "if you know what's
. healthy for you you'll sit' right where you are and
say' nothing."
\y;~k GUN FIGHT AT THE DOOR
~;\ The shock of a heavy body hurled against the door
punctuated his warning. The barricading table gave
• a'foot,;and through the opening came the flash and
stunning report of a revolver fired at random. Carter,
sure that Ralph had been hit, for he lay on the stairs
directly. in line, jumped back behind the scanty pro
jection of. the oak newel post and fired three shots in
\u25a0;rapid succession, through the doorway. He was pre
pared for.a rush, but it did not come. He stood ready,
alert. I There was no sound from the veranda. The
drifting ! smoke left the opening clear, and he could
make out nothing but the moonlit lawn beyond.
\u25a0 At that instant he was conscious of a cool draft
of:air._ He wheeled quickly, but heard nothing. A
vague sense of uneasiness oppressed him. He did not
understand this suddenly abandoned assault He re
treated through the library, stepping with care. At
the doorway into the. entrance hall he-dropped to
hands and knees. He moved cautiously about the
side trail, feeling and avoiding the furniture. Reach
ing r the broad. fireplace he crept into it.
• Something was abroad in the house, something
that crawled with infinite deliberation upon the pol-
lsnea" floors. .tie could hear the brush of. a body
somewhere near him. The soft, stealthy advance was
fromthe direction of the dining room beyond, but he
could not place it. more exactly. At times it seemed
: to be close to him. He began to dislike his adventure
exceedingly/ Open fight in hot blood he knew and
could welcome, but to crouch and await the approach
of an "unknown, ungauged danger, one that seemed to
threaten each instant from the darkness — that was a
thing to sap a man's will. He grew weak and fearful.
After a. time the sounds ceased. He strained his ears
•Then his hand resting on the bar of an andiron,
twisted sharply in his grasp under misplaced weight,
the brass clattering against the hearth. The next
second^ huge flying mass, fell upon him and he spun
out into the hall, clawing and struggling with an
assailant whose strength he knew at the first clasp
was Hr greater than his own.
V He fought hard, was overborne and pitched head
long,, underneath. A monstrous thumb closed about
his. throat and a flashing shock ached through him.
With the- dim eyes of fading consciousness he saw
the room leap into Might for a second. A gigantic
figure was clutching him. Above loomed the figure
'oi Ralph-Nitton, holding a flaring match in one hand
and the heavy poker uplifted in the other. Then he
passed into oblivion.
AFTER THE BATTLE
", When he came back to consciousness it was bright
daylight and his body was a thing of. pain in every
;*joint. He was lying on a divan, with bandaged head.
Ralph sat by him, smiling in'friendly manner. In the
front door, which was wide open, stood Scholl, shad
\u25a0 ing : his eyes down the drive. A whirr of wheels and
a shout came from outside and a moment later Ben
ham strode in. He began to question the obsequious
Scholl; but stopped in amazement on catching sight of
the /Virginian and- his erstwhile secretary,
y t "Well, old man," said Carter, struggling up and
laughing as the situation cleared before him, "I guess
you'll find your securities safe, after all."
. "Good heavens, isn't this Carteret?" stammered
Be'nham'-bcwildered. «
T " '"The* same," : said Carter, '"but more heroically
k'nowrias'a simple member of the garrison. Ralph
Nittqn;here,whom I commend to your attention, was
the : : o the^^Bß^^^S^MSnß
\u25a0Rapidly he explained what had occurred, offering
an amended version that left fewjoose threads.
"But Ralph," exclaimed Benham; "what's he doing
here?", "/ \ X
* "Oh, Ralph's an old friend /of mine," said Carter
easily. "He knew I was staying in the town. /He got
'.wind.of r the plan to scoop your safe andarrived just
ih-tinie^topick me, up.. We came here together and
managed to , hold .the fort." ~
Benham grasped a hand of, each of the young men
in' speechless : gratitude; ] ?
. > ;; J "Bylthe.way,;where's the lad who had me down,
Ralph?" asked Carter.^ \u25a0 :
.; -."Got clean away,"'said Ralph, returning his glance
steadily., "I thought he "was done for when I hit him
with the poker, but while I was attending to you he
must; have, recovered:"
' 1 ./''And ; the other fellow ?"
; v "No^signs of him. Must have run after you shot
;him ; up.- I think-you winged him."
-r "Benham,"' said "Carter, whimsically, "if you're
"g6mgito r spend some years in jail you won't need a
: secretary, but Lif you're hot, allow me to recommend
• this* young. man for-the post." /
.-; "H e "can :have more i than that," exclaimed Benham,
'enthusiastically.. /"I; don't think ; I ever really" knew
fypuV^Ralph, and if' you'll let^me. try I'll undertake to
bring, your father, around. I guess he never read his
} only.' 'son / aright. As ', for jail, the whole thing de
pended bn their hamstringing me."
;v;/jf And'' as Carter"? glanced from the man * who was a
towering giant in finance to .'the*,boy\rh'o would be one
Isbme day he wascohscibus of a-good night's* work and
./the* fact ''that 'he *had- wpritwb 'more pegs toward His
.goal.' '/.' . .. . .. / ". ';\u25a0\u25a0
- (Another. -Story .Next I Sunday)