Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 230, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 September 1911 — FOUR BITES OF A CHERRY. [ARTICLE]

FOUR BITES OF A CHERRY.

Br George Folsom.

How a Genitas Collected S&0OO At the Bate of a Clip —and Kept It.

Copyright, The Frank A. Munsey Co. ’—— O ‘ ;• • “You look like a sick Spaniard;’ cried. Creel. |I ean’t risk a dialect this time,” said Linden. “I must be a sick American or nothing. What’s the time?” “Twelve o’clock,” replied Creel. Wait a few minutes more. He might hold the under-olerk if. a customer cariwr iifa." • ■ . “And there may be one tfilre even now. Anyway,'l will wait ,h bit. I wish I could see what the fellowrf in the hall are about. I have a slim chance of getting out of here unseen.” “I am going to put up that sign for the painter,” said Creel, “and I will call out something to start you off.” Creel went out, leaving the door open. As he looked down the corridor he thought he saw a man dodge into another corridor just beyond the elevators. Creel tacked up the notice and kept his face partly turned down the hall.

“Mr. Linden certainly ought to be down by this time,” Creel called loudly, “but you may find him in Mr. Cossett’s office down the long corridor.” “One man, near the elevator,” he whispered to Linden as the latter came toward the door, “keep your face away from him and turn the corner carelessly. The man near Cossett’s, if there is one, won’t know you came from) here, anyway. \ My man may rush up, but I don’t think he will if I stay out here till you reach the door. Off with you how. I’ll have this door on the latch, and be near it.” Linden walked slowly up the hall until he reached Cossett’s door. No one was watching him on that corridor evidently. He walked in and asked for Mr. Sneed was alone in the outer office. The underclerk had evidently gone for his lunch. Sneed went into the private office and, in a moment, came back. Linden took the chair offered him and waited. In a mement Mr. Cossett opened the door and glanced at his visitor.

“Mr. Sneed,” he then said, “take this check to the Chemical and have it certified, if you please. , Come right in,” he said to his visitor, leading the way to the private office. As Linden sat down facing the well known safe he heard the door close after Sneed. “Now, young man,” paid Mr. Cossett, sternly, “you have, been here before. You have been to my house. Don’t rtln,” he said as Linden sprang to his feet, “I have a pistol here. You can’t see it, but it is ready for use. • ~ “You are after ten thousand dollars, I believe. I have that exact amount in this package—-waiting for you. There it is,” holding it up, “and now, my dear sir, take it and go, and be careful how you go." If Lihden was alarmed when Cossett recognized him, he Was stupifled when the financier held out the money to him. “Take it,” cried Cossett, “and see if you ban escape with it. I doubt it, Jjut you have been fortunate so far.” “Manifestly this is a trap,” thought Linden swiftly. “Will I chance It?” The money by this time was almost in his hands. He grasped it rind made for the door. “They want to trike me with the money In my possession;' he riaid. “Marked bills, maybe. “ I will chance it.” He opened the door to the corridor and immediately made a mistake. Instead of walking down the hall, he ran. He heard a step behind him. He turned the corner swiftly, and dashing through Crdbl’s door he cried, “I think he has gone crazy, but I have the money.”

Creril locked * the door as Linden pushed a spring in the bookcase', thd whole of whfch, except the aide-cas-ings and the top, swung around on a central pivot The recedirig end swung against the partly open door of tee next room and Linden Stepped through the operihtg. The bookcase was swing back to its plaice immediately. Drimpster, who had seen the supposed thief rush down the hsll, sprang after him. Before he got to the corner he heard a door open and cloyei In an instant he was 'st Creel’s door, beckoning to his assistant, McGill. “Which 7” he whispqred, when the man had come up. ; “That's the right door.” whispered Mc s!P' * wlth-blpck coat and a green shade ?ye.” Oo a Rttlg but watch that HEtag** *”"***”*

glass. He knocked at the door. It was opened by, Creek, / “A*®. y°u the painter?" said Crees calmljr. “I left a note for you, tacked on the door.” "Tufl l nervy little chap,” said pthe detective to hintaqlL Then aloud, “No, sir, I am not the painter. I am tanking for a than who Jrist ran hi here,” peering about the office as he Ipbke. All he eould see beside the. furniture was a gray coat hanging on the nick with a hat beside it. Creel’s hat, and Linden’s gray coat,” be muttered. ’ - (To be continued.)