A STRONG MAN ARMED.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13967, 27 July 1909, Page 1

A STRONG MAN ARMED.

By JOHN K. PROTHERO.

Published by Special Arrangement

i Author of "An Eye for an Eye," "The Way of Transgressors," "In the Name of John Leland," "The Grip of Fate," Etc., etc. CHAPTER X.— Continued. Tbralo got through the next da> with expedition, working like a steam engine all the time. Ho had confided in Carter, the result of Vesc.i 's eall — ho had a cynical indifference to the secretary's opinion, and made him the recipient of most of his unsavoury socrots — and together they had discussed a plan whereby the nuggets of Australian gold should be recovered and replno >) by Africp". The shareholders were asked to send or bring their nuggets to the office that tKe managing director at his own expense might have engraved upon them the date of the dinner at Tho Carlton, together with the seal of the Society ! Said nuggets, when ready, to be presented to the shareholders at a garden party at The Chase. And the shareholders did according to the word of Thrale, and the nuggets were exchanged. This, however, happened after Vcsey made his call at Broad Street Avenue. Thrale received him with grave courtesy, in the presence of the secretary. "I've explained the object of your visit to Mr. Carter," he commenced. Vesey, deadly pale, and a little dull of eye/but otherwise himself, bowed in appreciation. "I've come for two thousand pounds. Mr. Carter," he said genially, "or to be exact nineteen hundred and eights of the best." "Mr. Thrale tells me you have discovered that the nuggets distributed among the shareholders the other night were of Australian gold." Vesey nodded — speaking was fatiguing to 'his brain. "And that in consideration of this sum you've agreed not to make your discovery public." Another nod. "Well, now, Mr. Vesey, I'm not at all sure I agree to the expediency of such a course. Our managing director came to his decision in the small hours of the morning — when he had enjoyed an excellent dinner. The cold reason of the next day questions decisions so formed. Mr. Thrale saw the nugget lie tells me, and agrees with you it was Australian." "Naturally; he's not a fool." The secretary smiled in » supercilious fashion. "Mr. Thrale had been dining," he repeated, then; "I should like to see the nugget, Mr. Vesey." Ves»ey hhragged his shoulders, fingered his "waistcoat pocket, and drew out a pellet wrapped in tissue paper. He gravely unfolded tho wrapper and revealed a piece of lead. He stared at it astonished, with fixed jaw. Carter leaned forward with a light * "'Exactly!" he said. "The gold of the night' befoie turns to lead in the morning." "I swear it was gold." "Indeed." "I can swear it. The nugget mast have been changed. Thrale -" the man's jaw fell. He remembered with a sinking of the heart his visit to the cafe in Soho. Carter noted the change, rubbed his hands, and signed to his chief to take up the tale. "It may have been cold last night, Vesey — it r s lead to-day. "I take it you don't mean to pay, ho said, slowly. "You've hit it was the answer. "Very good. Then I shall publish." "What-"' The capitalist sneered, "the history of how you spent last night? Don't suppose I've beeij idle, my dear sir. I've been making inquiries this morning. I know you for a morphiamaniac, a man who, lost to all sense of shame, Jets his wife and children starve while he soaks himself in drugs." The strength, the brutality of the attack, sent Vcsey staggering. "I'm done," he said, "I admit I can't publish," even so he did not leave, Dut stood with bis old cynical smile watching the other two. ;> "Have you anything eke to say? asked Carter. Thrale had com© almost too easily out of the difficulty to please tho secretary. "Have you any more questions to ask?" was the retort. "I'm not tho only one who had a nugget." "I can deal with the rest," replied tho millionaire. Then, with a quick scent of danger, "You've told someone before you came to me?" "Quite so. You see I know you by reputation. I not only told someone — I showed them tho nugget. An accurate description was taken of the latter, also a photogVaph." "Who's tho man?" Thrale's voice boomed through the building. "A friend of mine," he paused. Then with a sudden feline swiftness crossed the room and opened the door. "A gentleman not to bo bought or sold. He's a mining engineer — named Barry Owon." And the door clowd.