A Strong Man Armed.

Southern Cross, Volume 17, Issue 52, 9 April 1910, Page 13

A Strong Man Armed.

1 [PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.] |

0 By JOHN K. PROTHERO. g £J Author of "An Eye for .an Eye," "The Way of Transgressors," | I], "In the Name of John Leland," "The Grip of Fate," etc. 0 ■S fzl

§ . a 1 [COPYRIGHT.]' 1

CHAPTER XV

PAMELA TAKES A HAND

Stanley gave in his report to Thrale and received commendation and a cheque. The financier saw his way now clear to the finish of the game he had played so well. If Duchesne owned the claim the thing was easy. Bah ! He snapped his fingers. lie had always been able to manage Dissolute Dick. He' had only to get the old fool away from his daughter for the matter of an afternoon or evening, and the affair was ended. He would sell arid Thrale would buy the land, and the purchase price should be two thousand ! Noti much for so rich a claim, but big enough to disarm unfavourable comment.

Carter approved of the notion, but thought it would be difficult to carry out. ,~

"In the first place you must give other people credit for some commonsense. It's .not likely the old man will be left unprotected." "You caii leave that part of the business to me. I've only to hold up my finger and Duchesne will trot to me like a little clog'."

Carter grinned.. He believed while resenting his belief in Thrale. "Supposing you get hold of the old man. and make him sign the deed transferring the gully, and all that therein is to you, you're not out oi the wood. He's of weak intellect, and it may be held you forced the sale on him. There's such a plea in law, you know."

"If they urge that', the point helps me. The man is of weal; intellect. I know it. his friends know it. yet knowing it I pay him two thousand pounds for a, bit of land he says contains gold, but that may not be worth twopence. You take me, Carter ?•"

The secretary nodded a reluctant acquiescence.

"And having acquired the land, shall you form a fresh company ?" he asked with a sarcastic note, "or shall you give the Wigmore the benefit of the purchase ?j "I'm afraid the Wigmore must have it," said Thrale, with obvious reluctance. A

"There's still another point you've got to consider. You may wake up one fine morning and find that Owen and his pal have sailed for Africa."'

"That wouldn't upset me. Before they attempted to work the claim they'd have to prove their right to work the land."

"It wouldn't take long. Remember the other side can command money and influence as well as you. Don't forget Krindle is backing Owen." "My dear Carter, you can't frighten me.- If Owen and Duchesne go to Africa, so much the better, I say it, so much the better. There are a hundred and one ways of settling men and things out yonder that cannot be done here."

Carter's thin lips tightened. It was the first time that Thrale had hinted that violence was a weapon in his armoury that he was prepared to use. The admission gave him occasion- for thought. He rolled the sensa'tion on his mental palate with gusto. Positively there was no limit to the man's effrontery.. Carter sighed to think that one day the inevitable must happen, and Society, that Thrale had trampled on, cajoled, cheated, or persuaded, would turn and rend him.

"I see no difficulty, Carter. The way's as clear as noontide. Take my word, within a week I shall get Duchesne's signature to my contract to purchase his mining claim. I admit, you see, that it is his claim — Owen isn't the sort of man to set up a bogus ownership. Are you prepared to bet on my getting the contract ?"

All things considered, Carter was not. Tie delighted to witness Thrale's tight rope performances ; was prepared, if necessary, to hold the rope, but farther than that he

would not go. He would risk much, but not money.

•T shall get the contract to purchase w-ithin seven days," reiterated Kentish Thrale in a loud tone. " I shall do it, Carter, and then things will hum. First will come the cable telling us they've found the gold, and a block of shares will be snapped .up like lightning. Then another telegram—l'll work the ropes—and another block of shares. Then another telegram " he broke off sharp. Carter was quietly laughing.

Rut it was not given to Thrale to order all things tio his will, and within seven days there was dropped into the seething, cauldron of his affairs a new and unlooked-for trouble.

And the name o the' trouble' was Savage, the engineer of the Cobra Mine.

Owen was instrumental in getting him over to England. Owen, who moved so quietly yet so surely,- getting nearer and nearer to the goal Making no brilliant sprints like the quick-brained financier, nor dashing at breakneck speed up a steep incline, but judging all the risks, countingall the points, he played a steady and a dangerous game. Savage was dissatisfied with Thrale's treatment. Dissatisfaction among Thrale's employes was by no means rare. Mere mundane mortals, they worked for filthy lucre, and when the reward was one hundred per cent, less than the service, they, unlike Carter, found no satisfaction 'in observing Thrale's moral gymnastics, but felt a keen and not to say healthy resentment which longed to find expression in personal chastisement, of the great man.

Savage felt that he had been more than usually ill-treated. Tie had been reprimanded because! he told the truth about the Cobra, and a youngger and less competent engineer hah been appointed to conduct operations on the Wigmore property. The fact that Savage, clever though unscrupulous, openly derided the possibility 01 finding gold where the shaft was sunk, did not imiprov'e matters. Thrale, fearful lest he should scent the fact that the gold only lay in the gully, summoned him to return to England forthwith. This summons Savage treated with the levity of a schoolboy, and declined to budge. Thrale, thereupon dismissed him by cable, and from mind. Tie knew his man, and was confident that Savage woul/1 drink himself penniless in a moirlih, and be no longer .worthy of credence. This would surely have come to pass—Savage being a big worker when in harness, and a big drinker out of it—if Owen had not put a spoke in his wheel. Savage was invited to come over on a fee and expenses as consulting engineer to Messrs Krindle and Co. -

Krindle and Co. were a firm of financiers, which, being interpreted, means that they found capital for promising enterprises and promoting companies, securing the lion's share for their trouble and money. They were interested in coal mines, gold mines, and many other profitable things, and Savage jumped at the chance.

The senior partner interviewed him blandly.- commissioned him to go to Wales to inspect and report on a colliery, and then turned the conversation to distant fields, workinground to South Africa. '•"Why did you leave the Cobra? - ' asked the genial. Krindle, a large and portly man, with insinuating fingers that reminded one of the claws of the crab.

"Difference of opinion with the board," was the reply. "Dear me! 11l advised ' of Thrale to part with a man of your experience and courage.. Any truth in the rumour that The Cobra's worked, out Mr Savage ?'! Savage did a rapid mental calculation. He tumbled to the significance of t;he question, and i-ealised why Krindle had sent for him. He owed no fealty to "Thrale, nor adherence to Krindle ; on the whole he

would prefer to sna'sh the former and serve t,he latter, but in the ultimate ' the question resolved itself into one of L. s. d. Would Krindle pay more for the information than Thrale for * withholding it ? ' ' ' I "It's an important matter, Mr Savage, as to whether the Cobra has or has not panned out. Reliable information at ;• the moment should prove profitable." Savage nodded. "I take you," he said calmly. ''Would you estimate the profits at — say five thousand ?" The genial partner raised his eyebrows. ••'Ultimately the profits might far exceed that sum." "At the moment* however, it would reach " us sav two thousand." "Cash?" "In notes or gold on the nail." "The transaction doesn't affect reappointment to your colliery ?" "Certainly not, that's understood." Savage debated. If Krindle would pay two, Thrale certainly would spring four. "I think the information is worth five thousand, Mr Krindle." "I'll go to another five hundred, and undertake U) give you a certain per centage of shares in any company ...we form in the neighbourhood of the Cobra. I can't go higher than that." Savage was tempted, but decided not to close • until he had offered himself on the other side. "Your bid- holds good till to-mor-row. I suppose ?" Krindle stiffened. "I should prefer to settle now." "I can't. I must have time to think. Also, I think, you'll want more than my bare assertion, whichever way it. goes. You'd like to see a plan of the workings." "I should." Krindle studied his man, and decided it was no good to try to bustle him. "We leave it then, till twelve to-morrow. I have your address, Mr Savage. HaxelFs Hotel, .I think ?"

The engineer 1 nodded, the comfortable assurance that he was on a good thing, and stood to win either way, took his departure. His steps turned in the direction of Broad street Avenue. It., was past seven o'clock, if he knew his man, he felt sure of finding- Thrale still at his office. Til news travels /asi. By this time the 'managing director of the Cobra Mining must have learned of the engineer's disappearance.

Thrale had passed a strenuous week. It wanted but two clays of the seven within which he'd vowed he would purchase Duchesne's claim. It had proved a difficult matter to get hold of the old man. Owen stood guard like a Roman sentinel, and in his brief ablences induced Allnut Copes —the journalist before referred to —to take his place. "Letters in some mysterious fashion, failed to Dick. ; Ksther sighed at the deception. . but- nevertheless" kept back Thrale's epistles. Telegrams were also intercepted. Duchesne was in a state of siege, and but for Pamela, fair-haired, ;blue-eyed and dimpled,, the millionaire must have cried halt. Dick himself might have suspected a censorship of his correspondence, had not his thoughts been turned to-other things. As a matter of fact he experienced as much difficulty in getting out of his citadel as Thrale in getting in. His dear friend Owen, his brilliant and distinguished Itiend Copes, overburdoned him with their society. He could not fetch a paper, take a stroll, or adjourn to a neighbouring hostelry for alcoholic refreshment without his dear friends pressing their company upon him. To-a. point.-their attentions were acceptable... When, however, their friendship interfered with an appointment with Pamela, the old man decided it was time to stop. He did not argue or remonstrate —it was discourteous, almost indelicate, to suggest that he did not want the company of his old friends. He simply gave them the slip, and in the simplest manner possible. He announced his intention of taking a siesta, and .retired to his room. No sooner had his dear and unsuspecting. friend returned to his paper or work than Dick the Dandy, radiant as a truant schoolboy, crept down stairs and out of the house to where Pamela, all pink blushes and white muslin, awaited him at a neighbouring restaurant.

Dick had a charming hour, arid sent Pamela home in a. flutter of excitement and a taxi-cab. He told her of his past glories, and his future hopens, alluded to his possessions in Africa and his opportunities in/London. The fact that the payment of the tea and the cab left him in' possession of sixpence did not damp his ardour.

He returned • home to greet Copes all unexpecting, with sen ingenuous air of hilarity. The next afternoon the experiment was repeated. Dick once more gave his friends the slip, and having borrowed half a sovereign from the landJadv, in his most magnificent manner] met the enchanting Pamela as before-

Meanwhile Stanley's emissary had seen and reported the meetings, and Thra'e had been sent for 'in post haste. When, therefore our adventurf ors emerged from the restaurant they ran into his arms.

Thrale in a moment grasped the situation, and played up to it. It seemed to Pamela that in a flash -they were all seated in the Holborn Restaurant drinking champagne—the taste of which, she did not at all like—and getting very friendly. She was impressed by Thrale, but when he suggested that she should be sent home in a hansom,, and that Dick and he should go somewhere her features became ruffled. Theodore had told her oi the episode of Stanley, the inquiry agent, and hinted tliat Duchesne had powerful enemies. She seized on the notion that Thrale had designs on her escort, and with feminine quickness countered his suggestion. She put her hand on Dick's arm with a pleading look.

"Don't send me by myself," she pleaded. "I'm always frightened of a horse in a hansom." The appeal stirred Dick in his most vulnerable spot. All his chivalry and kindness welled up towards this enchanting and absurd person. To be afraid of a horse in a hansom —shade of the modern suffragette ! "You shall not go alone, my dear. I would not have you frightened for the world." "I'm not if I'm with you.j" she said, nibbling" a piece of cake. Dick's vanity stirred within him. He murmured a tender word that brought the colour to her little ears.

"Then Miss Pamela must accompany us," said Thrale. "We're going to my office in Broad Street," he smiled at her effusively. "Duchesne and I have some important business to transact." Pamela suspected the business, recalling Theodore's hints, but wisely decided to say nothing lor the present. She got close up to Dick in the. taxi, and nestled confidingly against his arm. He was a very perfect polished gentleman in Pamela's eyes ; she had never been treated with such deference before. She was suffused with an admiration for his manners and a childish affection for himself. He did not appear so very old to her, and the fact that he was not able to look after his interests troubled her .notherly little soul no at all.

II was a new experience to Pamela to be made much of ; she was unused to compliments, and had never been waited on in her life. Small wonder i' she snuggled on Dick's shoulder like a. contented kitten. Arrived at Broad street Avenue she make to follow the men into the building-, but T'hrale intervened. It was hardly conventional,_he suggested to-Dick, that a young lady should call in so informal a manner at ( so late an hour at a city office. Dick took fire in a second, and insisted Pamela should remain outside in the taxi. He gave strict injunctions to the driver- to slay anything or anybody who threatened to annoy her, and then light of heart and of step tripp.ed up the - stairs after Thrale.

They got to business very quickly. Thrale offered an artful lure. He guessed Dick's pockets were empty, and reckoned on his desire to endow the fair-haired Pamela with all the expensive and useless fripperies beloved of women.' "See' here, old chap. I think you might have let me know you owned that claim in the Wigmore Estate ; I paid a thumping price for the property, and now the cream of it all is left' out." "My dear friend, the circumstance had slipped my memory —has anything gone wrong- with that taxi ? I would not have that dear young lady frightened for a kingdom. I have never. I repeat it, Thrale, never in the whole course of my experience, met so pure, so sweet and so refined a thing, a creature all too bright and good—eh what ? You are impatient, my dear Thrale." "Listen to me, Pick. Do you want money—money 'to spend on Pamela?" "My dear friend, I would sell my soul for a hundred shining coins of glittering gold." "You can do better. Sell your claim on the Wigmore Estate for two thousand of the best." "Two thousand !" Dick's eyes wid-

ened. Then, of a sudden his talks with Owen, the engineer's warning* that if he signed any paper without consulting his friends the consequences might be disastrous, recurred to him.

Thrale read his thoughts like a book.

"You're thinking of that mining chap, Owen," he said contemptuously. "'He doesn't study your interests particularly, does he '? If he's so keen on your keeping the claim and working it I should have thought he could have let you have a little ' ready.' "

The taunt told. It is painful, ludicrously painful to have to borrow half a sovereign from your landlady when you own a gold mine ! 'JLook here, Dick, you and I know, .something of the risks, the chances of gold mining. Maybe your claim is an Eldorado, and we shall strike the reef a couple of hundred feet below the surface; but—and it's that you have to consider—maybe it will cost thousands to sink a shaft, and the gold may not be found after all. A couple of „' thou ' in the hands with pretty Pamela is worth any number oi speculative Jimmy o' Goblins in the bush."

Dik's eyes brightened. His brain, incapable of adjusting the relative value of two propositions, fastened on the tangible reality of two -thousand pounds. At the moment he was dependent on his daughter for his board and lodging, deprived by her act of Thrale's allowance he had not a penny to call his own—pace the landlady's half sovereign.

Unable to realise that the stake for which he and his allies were playing was incomparably greater than the cash Thrale promised,, it's not} to be wondered at that Dick the Dandy closed on the offer. Pamela in pearls Pamela, in a Paris gown ; himself attired in Bond street raiment ; a Victoria in the park. Dick danced on two small feet. "By Jove, I'll do it," he said, excitedly, "give -me the notes and I'll sign the deed."

Thrale produced" a bag of gold, a packet ot notes, and waited while, with eager restless fingers Duchesne counted them.

Then he produced a document in legal phraseology which he forced Dick to read. It was the instrument of sale conveying Duchesne's mining claim to Thrale, on behalf of the Mining Company. Dick read it through, dipped pen in ink, one hand upon the bag of gold, slipping in fancy through his fingers, the right he rested on the paper.

Another moment, the deed would have been done, but at the moment the witch's cauldron of Thrale's fate boiled over. Savage stepped into the room.

CHAPTER XVI.

CATCHING A TARTAR. Thrale whisked the contract from the table into his safe, turning - the key in the lock, and faced Savage with a deadly glance. "What are you up to ?" queried the engineer, "another bit of villainy ? What's the old gentleman got for sale ?—something worth having if you're paying cash." He pointed to the notes and gold upon the table. Thrale quietly pocketed the lot ; Dick the Dandy showed signs of opposition. "My dear sir, nay good Thrale, this -is extraordinary. We are in the process of completing a lucrative and important piece of business. This—er —gentleman—enters, and immediately, as with the speed of a conjuror, the necessary parchment disappears, price agreed on iollows suit, ami I am left aggrieved, bewildered, astonished." "We'll complete the business tomorrow, Dick. Oblige me by not discussing the matter further at the moment. Mi- Savage is not a man before whom I care to converse on my affairs." "But, my dear Thrale " Dick flushed and his eyes began to sparkle. The vision so deliciously tangible a moment since, with the crackle of notes in his ears, the sparkle of gold before his eyes, those exquisite visions conjured up by the power of two thousand of the best, faded like a mist and horrible thought he was without the price of a cab fare home. And Pamela was waiting for him ! Thrale read the signs of a coming storm, and took prompt, measures to. avert the downpour. He linked his arm in Dick's and led him through the door on to the landing. "Here's a tenner to go on with." he said with a fine air of generosity. To-morrow you shall sign the contract, and I shall pay for it. So long !"

Happy as a tomboy Dick tripped down the stairs. Was he not relieved from present impecuniosity'; was he not spared the intolerable degradation of being unable to pay for Pamela's cab? A large and spacious evening loomed before him. He got into the taxi, reassured Pamela, and drove to the Cafe Royale, and there; his face brimming over with delight, his eyes sparkling with happiness, revelling in fine phrases, sonorous words, wine of the best before him, youth and beauty at his side, .there we can leave him to spend a few short hours of crowded life ! In the office of Broad street Avenue Thrale, square-jawed and determined, faced Savage, in good fighting fettle also.

"So you're back ?" Thrale was the shorter man of the two and the lighter. Savage,"" bull-necked, with huge shoulders, moved stolidly and heavily. He put his hands in his pocket and lounged against the wall. "I'm here," he said laconically, "at your service ior a price. "I'm not dealing. I don't want you. You're not worth that to me, and he snapped his fingers- contemptuously. "All the same you'll pay my price unless you're a fool—l always took vou for' a rogue. The Cobra's panned out, that's the long\and short of it." "And you're here to blackmail me? To threaten, unless 1 bribe you, to tell your tale to the shareholders. Bah ! Your statements won't hold water for a moment.:-; You're discredited, remember,' a discharged servant ■""of the Company." \ "I wasn't discharged at the time I sent you the cable, telling you the lode was lost. I've a copy of it." "You may have copies oi; fifty cables. You don't suppose you're going'to carry a meeting against me ? I'll crumple you up in three seconds.' "I'm not addressing any meeting," said Savage stolidly. " I never go to the public if I can arrange a private deal. I've something to sell—my -information. You've something, -to buy—my silence. I've an offer for the first."

"Bluff \" sneered Thrale. "No, Krindle." The engineer shifted his position and waited. "You mean to tell'me ' "This.* T came over on a cable from Krindle and Co, engaging meas their consulting engineer. They've treated me well. I'm not disinclined to do 'em a good turn if they pay for it. They're ready to buy a state, ment from me as engineer of the Cobra that the mine's panned out. Thev'll pay cash. I shall take their bid'unless I get a better- any offers ?" "I must first have proofs." "You can see my contract." He flung a paper across the table.. Thrale glanced at the document, and rapidly reviewed the chances of the game. He always grew cool in a crisis, his eves cloiided, their vision turned inwards. He sat down at : the table. "What will Krindle pay?" "Three thousand. Give me five and I'm mum." , "Too much. I'll spring five hundred on Krindle's offer." "No good. Five thousand is my price in cash. I'll take as much as you have in the office on account tonight, and call for the balance at ten o'clock to-morrow." "When do you see Krindle ?" "Yt twelve." "An ingenious arrangement. You receive my 'bribe; then call and collect, the other." "You can protect yourself. I'll write out a report of The Cobra that will make every shareholder wee]) tears of joy. 1 take it you've been wise enough to keep your mouth shut as to my leaving the company." Thrale nodded. "You'd write a report at my dictation ?"

"That's so. You'd have to reinstate me at the Cobra." "It would follow." Thrale leaned hack and gazed with wide unseeing eyes lief ore him. Ke was in a tight fix. Savage could ruin him if he published the threatened statement. He still had a large holding in the Cobra, and until he had 'untoadecl his shares it was vital the price . should be kept up. So much for his purse. His prestige would suffer an irremediable blow ; , his future enterprise be hopelessly handicapped. The Wigmore, the mine that was t,o retrieve his losses, recoup his- banking 'balance, furnish him with the" pomp and panodly of commercial Imperialism, would founder before she was launched. .. ttr -'

It was inevitable that the silence., oi Sava-ge' 'must be- secured. How ?■-.•• Pay five thousand pounds. The answer was simple ; the price, considering all that hung on the issue, small. Thrale reviewed his resources. Ke

had scrip to the value of some - hundred thousand, but of cash he was short. He could raise five, thousand by sacrificing certain shares, but he would much rather not do so. He wanted money himself. There was the garden party at the Chase ; there was Dick's mining claiml ; his own love of extravagance to gratiHe took a sudden and desperate resolve. At all costs he must gain time, secure a few days respite. "I'll give you your price." he said, "an extortionate and iriiamous one, but I must pay it. I've two thousand here in notes and gold—count 'em"—he flung the packet and the canvas bag across the table—"and by ten to-morrow I'll "have the balance. I'll sketch out the report 1 want you to sign." He rose and walked towards the desk, which, facing him, stood behind Savage. It has been mentioned that Thrale ignored small things. Carter was absent. Had that admirable mentor been in the office the chief would have been, reminded that at eight o'clock Lady Heather had arranged to call for him. And it wanted but live minutes to the hour. Thrale, oblivious of the- appointment, careless of the fact that unpunctual with all others, his wife invariably met him at the tick, bent over his desk.

Savage, clinking out the golden sovereign's, was indulging in a monologue. "Beauties, every one of you. I am counting the whole kaboosh, Thrale. I'm not trusting you for 'a single one —lovely metal, gold ! I've an eye for it, hide where it will." He jingled the sovereigns in his capacious fist, with an aesthetic love of the gold for its own sake. Thrale listened and watched and waited. The engineer, well down in his chair,' bent his head over the table. His neck, thick and .red, bulged above his collar. Thrale, rustling papers at ( his desk, took up a lump of iron ore veined with gold, and poised it in his hand. It was a heavy specimen. Thrale used it 'as a paper weight, displaying it in a conspicuous fashion on his desk. He turned round of a sudden, lightly swiftly, a,s a. cat.

Savage, •counting sovereigns into heaps, bent lower ; his great red ugly neck swelling and swelling until it seemed to Thrale that there was nothing in the world but that huge -ridge of flesh —that and a lump of iron. Swiftly, and with incredible precision, the iron was swung up. to be brought down crash ! —just where the head joins on the spine. With a groan the engineer rolled over sideways in a heap on the floor.

"That's over !" Thrale's breath came quickly wil,h a nervous gasp—- " That's over "

The clock striking the hour - made him glance up. Contempt of detail had come home to roost. —his wife was looking at him. - (To be continued).