The evening world. Newspaper, April 6, 1916, Page 19

= The Mystery Romance of A Sealed Box and a Strange Heritage aut. 118, by Ste t & Smith.) SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS 6 Joho Marxian’, rane co Mare: he Boumes Hastiies declace and i potorione thied, Ar tet ter from 1 wer rina this, Haat Iren Pow otite little fortune. In paring Tis ‘deal fibers yitima, Dorothy breaks heres tana of alagrarod, “Tinats Ame Bin te ia toh ated Proiarem to. Mil Bite Galt, “Tie We iitorramted by a vine, CHAPTER VIII. A Friend in Need. ORBES shewed his visitor into tho library, or, rather, F where he had always been received. Mr. Graves was looking at the couch and the rubber tubing hanging from the chandelier. He turned to the other, an unspoken Question in his ured blue eyes. “I—I was going to Nght the gas @tove,” explained Forbes. “Don't you think {t's cold here? That janitor is #0 parsimonious with his coal.” Mr. Graves arose and very deliber- ately detached the tubing from the Jet. Mr. as @ matter of course, directed himself th , for it was the room And at that moment Forbes knew there was no longer need for attempted concealment; knew, In fact, that ever since first entering the room, Mr. Graves had seen and understood all. And, suddenly, full realization of t enormity of this thing he had contem- plated burst upon him in all Ite hide- ous significance; his eyes wavered and sought the floor, a flush of shame swept over his face and his lips trembled. Then he dropped into a chair, and, burying head on arms, broke down utterly, and cried as ho had not done since the day of his mother's death. Mr. Graves threw the tubing into the trash basket and laid a hand on the boy's heaving shoulder. “'Hast- ings,” he said, “anybody can dle, but often It takes a MAN to live!” Forbes sobbed convulsively. Mr. Graves's grip tightened. “Look » sald, " friends are given us » may share not only their joys but sorrows, 1 don’t think you've played quite fair with me. I've seen for the past week you were in a bunch of trouble and I hoped you'd consider me enough of a friend to let me in on » here to-night for that pur- » may be something I can et me try, anyway. Forbes arose to uncertain feet and eyed tho other dully. “You—you don't understand,” he mumbled. “When you do you'll bo like all the rest. I'm not worth knowing,” his hunted eyes turning to the empty whiskey bottle and from It to the couch, “My name isn't Hastings, but Forbes, and I'm not the sort anybody would want to know. My father was a—a thief and 'm—i'm a beastly coward! You're t takes a man to live and I'm not one! I'm a coward and I took the easiest way out.” Mr. Graves shook bis head, "No, @idn’t, and you aren't golng to @ it, elther, so don’t blame your- welt for eometiiing that never hap- pened.” i And presently, under Mr. Graves's halt - whimsical, half - serious, but wholly sympathetic and understand. manner, Forbes found himself freely and fully of his trou- See wnich appeared to have reached on the night preceding his Gwent firet birthday. On one point ‘dia he show reserve—his broken ‘t. He could not bring him- apeak unkindly of Dorothy and attributed the Jilting the excuse advanced initially by Becothy herself, Mr. Graves, how- was en adept at reading be- the lines, but whatever he if the matter he kept to him- the boy all the more for At last he said: 1t this investment of i? You say it was on Mr. Mars- ° ‘was; otherwise I wouldn't have @ the Sterling Company. I he was back of it.” Graves removed his nose glass- ‘and polished them with a white te? “Have you any- to prove that?” lo, ‘and Mr. Marsland has denied giving me any such 1d) he saya I took the wrong meaning out his ‘words, and that by ‘interested’ he @ small stock- Uke myself ij ‘Mr. Graves nodded, and Forbes then brought out his stock certificates, which were beautiful examples of tho engrevere art. . Graves examined them criti- cally through his glasses. ‘They're worth about 3 cents square yard,” he eald, “You might have them framed and hung up fn the front parlor; that’s all they're good for— something to look at.” Forbes gasped. He had believed that at least there would be some sort of return. “You mean they are not marketable at all?" “Not among sane people, and I guess the other crop has been pretty well picked over,” replied Mr. Grav “They're absolutely worthless; yo couldn't give them away, Don't you understand the company never had uny mines that assayed a penny to the ton? The property, adjacent to well known and paying mining claims, was pought simply for this purpose, and the dividends you and others got wer merely part of your own money b that was the molasses to catch th other flies and keep the pot going un- til Mr. Green had got enough worth stealing.” CHAPTER IX, Forbes Learns Something From the Mysterious Mr, Graves. YRBES cleared his } Do you mean that Marstand You mean he knew ft fake!" said Mr, Graves, “on the whole, Forbes, | think good thing all this happened; not about losing the money, but cutting away from Marsiand, for he tsn't Well, "t just the sort worth while.” Again Forbes looked curiously at throat Mr. can't was o “Well, i's a By W. B. M. Ferguson NNR RT RR ROA ROR Ts i ORRR NOTA RROTN HAAN ROROORAAG The Beat It? xr%titns, B NCILS ARE GOING WAY UP ON ACCOUNT OF THE WAR JAM LAYING IN A Goad SUPPLY, JOHN, IT'LL SAVE NE MONEY SON? THE PRICE oF BRI CrOING UP ON RecuNt = THE WAR LI HAVE JUST RoUaNT FIVE DOZEN Pipes ber DYSELF \T WILL SAVE NE MONI the other. “Flow on earth do you know all this?” Mr. Graves made a deprecating ges- ture. “Oh, I go round a good bit and know many different kinds of people, 80, naturally, I hear lots of odds and ends of queer gossip. I’m intimately acquainted with several Post Office in- spectors, commercial agency men and Headquarters detectives, In fact," | he concluded, with an ingenuous emile, “I'm a bit of an amateur sleuth | myself; I mean that sort of thing hi always Interested me tn @ way. W! I've told you about Marsiand straight goods; the Post Office people know he's mixed up with Hammers- ly in this thing, but they can’t prove | any connection, for he's too slick for them. Hammersly himself ts the only man who can give him away, and he isn't the kind to squeal on a pal. I'll say that much for him.” “Then the long and short of it ts that Mr. Marsland has virtually done mo out of twenty-five thousand, and I've no comeback? | “That's about the size of it, I'm) afraid.” | Mr. Graves then spoke of Mars-| land's supposed enmity for Forbes. “What's this about him giving you a black eye in the trade? Are you sure about that?” es, am. Every position I apply for, when they make inquiries to the impire Company, Marsland queers me. In one place they let drop that the Empire Company had fired me be- cause I was of criminal stock and had tried to murder a fellow employee. Can you beat that?” o ketene you go td eee Rand & 0.2" Forbes laughed incredulously, for this was the biggest firm of architects in the city, perhaps the country. “Rand & Co, Why, I wouldn't have a ghost of a show there! Not even with the, best references from the Empire, instead of the worst. Rand & Co, only touch the biggest, highes class work; they're at the top of the tree, and there's never a vacancy for a rank outsider like myself. Might as well ask me why I don’t elect my- self President of the United States. “Oh, it's not quite so bad as that,” protested Mr, Graves, unabashed, “I happen to know there's a vacancy just at present with Rand & Co, and there's nothing Itke trying, anyway. Go and see Mr, Bond, the business manager; I guarantee you'll get @ chance at the position.” j Forbes could find nothing to eay. | “Of course,” added the other, “you | can expect only @ nominal salary to | start" don't care what tt is!" broke in Forbes, with shining eyes, "so long aa I get a foothold with that firm. Why, | if you were an architect, Mr, Gravea, you'd know what tt means to be with | Rand & Col They are the real | thing, quite a different type from the Empire or any other construction company. They’re artists, and em- ploy only the best men.” “One thing more,” said the visitor before departing. “Try and forget | about that unfortunate Incident in your father’s life and his end; think only of the good. You've been brood- ing too much over the other and it's bad medicine, Forbes. Try and live tn the present, not the past; a past for which you were in no way re- sponsib! which Feo desi = and can't help. backward CHAPTER X. Mr. Marsland. UITE contrary to Forbes’ private fears, the interview with Mr. Bond, of the re- doubtable Rand & Co. proved an entire succes so much so that {t was plain to be seen some powerful interest had been at work and had previously ocon- vinced the firm that he, Arnold Forbes, was the logical candidate for the vacancy—if vacancy there was. For Rand & Cb. employed a large and select staff, and, if necessary, Ha can alw be made at the bot- om. \ COLLAR BUTTONS ARE GOING WAY UP ON ACCOUNT OF THE WAR .IVE BouaHT A LoT.tT'tu SAVE HE MONEY Jou Youle EVER NEED ALL WNOSe THINGS. THE PRICE oF SHAVING ale Is CLOING WAY UP ON ACCOUNT OF THE WAR. 1 HAVE JusT BouanT TWENTY DOZEN For SELF .IT'LL_SAVE furtively wiping her eyes and making herolo efforts at composure. “What do you want’ Mareland thickly, glowe Forbes escorting the irl to her boarding house, The morrow waa from among the racing news pointed Sunday, and, yielding to a sudden im- out an item from the New Orleans pulses he asked if she would care to truck giving the list of entries for go walking, She assented gladly. the approaching Mardi Gras Handi- Forbes saw Mr. Graves that night, CAP, @ classic event of the year for told of his success with Rand & Co,, two-year-ol Mr. Graves's finger and thanked hia netghbor for the Passed over entry after entry until tt «reat influence he had exerted in hig Stopped at the name “Silver Heels, behalf. “Silver Heels,” said Mr. Grave “It was nothing,” said Mr, Graves, Owned by Mr, Vanderslice, “No, I'm not connected with the firm ‘ou mean our landlord nor ‘in the trade, as you put it,” he “Our landlord, the owner of the added, with a smile. “Some time ago Gotham. Now, | happen to know that T happened to be able to do Mr. Rand Mr. Harold Vanderslice's financial af. ‘fa alight service, and he's ever for- fairs aren't in the best of shap gotten; that’s the mystery of my On® reason wey it's so hare ‘great influence.’ ” anything out of the agents. But to Forbes it was etitl a mys- “Is there anything you don't hap- tery, yet he could not bring himaelf Pen to know?" inquired Forbes, to ask Mr. Graves point-blank what | “Oh, any man about town who manner of service he had rendered to Knows anything at ail could tell you Mr. Rand, and if he was not “in the @bout Mr. Vanderslice, He's a spend- trade” what was he fn. thrift, gambler and fool, and has backed Silver Heels heavily to win CHAPTER XI. the Mardi Gras, if the filly comes Mr. Graves's Idea. through 1t means a recouping of his fortunes; if she doesn't, it means he'll ‘T was drawing toward the end of the month, and Forbes turned to the sporting page, and, demanded ng at Forbes. this, eh? How “What do you mean } dare you come here? He ignored Marsland, and turned to the girl: “Miss Willoughby, may I see you home?” Already she was busy with hat and coat. “Thank you,” she replied in a low voice, but Marsland broke tn: He turned threatening!y on the girl. fiss Willoughby, if you leave this office without my permission, you leave it for good! Understand that! 1 told you I had important work that must be finished.” She made no reply nor, tn fact, gave a sign that she had heard, continuing her preparations with a cold, me- chanical precision, Forbes, too, sald nothing; he waited silently in the doorway, to all appearance unedn- cerned ‘and gelf-possessed as If Marsland were a piece of furniture, And Marsiland at length saw the fu- tility of further words; saw it was small use blustering and threatening when he could get no reply or make the slightest impression. He smiled, have to @ell the Gotham to settle his debts, And Sliver Ileels won't come through; I'm banking on the field.” From the spaotous offlors of Rand ghrugged, took out a cigar, and turned ting begun to took edout for... Ub; Nas sald Forbes, otlll sadly at Aoneuicanmtaracconenieea amas Seay ats weuinenby.? a aneania & wultable boarding place, — “Just this,” said the other. ‘of place of employment, He had been #0 with a hicoough, “corainiy you're ord A week had passed and he course, you know the Fuller Realty excited and upset on the day of his gnough to have better wense, for only Was well into his new position. Company? peremptory dismissal that he had afoot would throw up a good position | Miss Willoughby had aleo secured a _Forbes nodded, This was one of the overlooked a T equare and @ set of on the say-ed of a disreputable young new position, one that ff ft aid not Empire Company's most dangerous dividers, his mother’s last Christmas present. They were valuable only in @ sentimental sense, and, apparently, no one had thought it worth while to forward them, if, indeed, eny consid- eration had been given to the matter. It was almost 7 o'clock when Forber entered the building; the elevator had stopped running, but from Btemmer, the janitor, he learned that Mr, Mare- land was till in his office, Forbes explained 1's errand. “I eup- pose it’s all right if 1 go up? I won't disturb Mr. Marsland, as you don't have to go through the offices to reach the designing room.” “Sure,” nodded Stemmer, “I guess dot's all righd. Go ahead, You etn'd like a stranger Mr, Forbes.” Forbes walked up to the third floor, occumed exclusively by the Empire Company, There are three doors; that of the president's private office, the general reception room and the designing room, Within, a long cor- ridor connected the two latter with the former, Forbes tiptoed to the designing rooms, and, a8 he had suspected, founc the door fast; Carker always locked it when the etaff had left. The other midway in the hall, ytelded, ver, and he entered the recep: tion room; then an angry exclama. tlon, @ smothered cry reached him. He passed awittly down the inner M: rivals against whom John Marsland wae exceedingly biter, accusing them of “stealing his ideas.” And there was Justice in this, for, following the suc- cess of the movement projected by the Pmpire Company and evolved by Marsiand himself, the Fuller people had entered the field with an oppost- borhood, and often they lunched to- tion chain of up-to-the-minute hotels gether, while on both Sundays they for the modern woman, had gone for long walke through the vow,” said Mr. Graves, “both the woods of Van Cortlandt and West- Bmpire and Fuller Companies need a cheater, hotel in this district if they need one The discovery that he no longer anywhere; this neighborhood hae be- cared remotely for Dorothy Marsland come the centre of tha city’—— staggered Forbes, and, somehow, he “That's right," broke in Forbes with felt rather ashamed, as if his honor sudden interest. “Mr. Marsland al and fidelity had been called in ques- 1 : 5 ane noe a ways said that a# soon as they began tion, He read one day of her en- to ‘realize on their investment, the Fagement to @ rich diamond broker. next hotel would be around’ this qt ae Bee sive bim @ single twinge of neighborhood. In, tuct. he said the d ould have been started Aw he neared home that night, {oe One # Forbes received another mirprine; tw here, only. Sipperty WAR fo Veer Aad men had come out of the Gotham, and, Nile te sink ao much to orl an they passed on the opposite aide Muller to sink ao much for experi- of tho street, without ohserving him, ‘ental Purposes. i he recognized them as Solomon Muller “Exaatly,” nodded the other, “and and John Marsland. Their heads were @& this is about the only avatiable close together, and they talked ear- Site in the neighborhood, they have nestly, What business had the owner thelr eye on the Gotham. Last weal and president of the Empire Company I heard in a roundabout way that in the Gotham? Muller had beon up here looking over Then, after dinner, Mr. Graves the ground and making inquiries about ropped tn, and Forbes casually men- this apartment house. The prasence tloned the matter, and wag quite sur- of Marsland and him here to-night oub like that!" wav! the silent Forbes, know his record and all father, 80 you'll have only yourself to blame when the inevitable happens, However, I suppose there's no use of- fering advice; old loves have a greater claim than the new'-—— “That's about enough, Mr. Mars- Jand,” warned Forbes quietly, as the girl reddened painfully. ‘They passed out together, ignoring Marsland’s smile and sneering fare- well. Mias Willoughby was trembling, and they walked for some time in silence, “Has this sort of thing occurred he- tore?” asked Forbes bluntly at length “No,” she answered, “but I have hag to be on my guard against him eve since I was promoted to the post of secretary. Before that—before you came—I was in the auditing depart- ment; they were all gentlemen there, Mr. Marsland isn't; he's a~-a beast!” She whipped out the words as if find. ing vent to a long-repressed emotion, “He kept inviting me places, and I kept refusing; making advances T pretended not to see, To-night he had been drinking. "m greatly in your debt, M Forbes # much as & girl can be “A jail term ta too good for men Ike that!" exclaimed Forbes. ‘That's what he should get. I'm sorry now I « his cigar at “Ot course, you bout his Pay so well as its predecessor, at least saved her from al #he had suffered under Mr, Marsland, Forbes and she were seeing much of each other; their places of bus!- ness were almost in the same neigh- passage leading to Mlarsland’s private didn’t punch hig head, Of course, you prised to find tt produced a decided cinches it dice; the sound of @ ecuffle came Won't go bac ression on the other. “Now the !4ea ts this: to-morrow from within, and he heard Misa Wil- __"No of course that's impossible exclaimed Mr, Graves, en- morning you go down to Partridge & loughby’s smothered voice in fierce re. S8YWwAY, I'm discharged. However, “That acttles tt! I thing Stone and renew your lease for, say, volt Tra glad it's over: T hung on as long fely go ahend now." thron years, and then, when the Fin PA as I cou cause ad to, but now Go ahead with what?’ asked pire Company takes over the property Ps bare en, tuned the angie, buy 3 I—I've no one to think of but myself.” Forhes, in astonishment. You can name your own terms.” TINIE thatae oe tied! Her lip trembled. “With @ little tdea I talked to you Forbes was silent for a moment; he MO tHe rt co, Mr, Marae Forbes then learned that for yearn mbout a week ago, Don't you re. appreciated tho slinpilcity and excel land, or I'll kick {t in!” he exclaimed Nan Willoughby had been the sole member? Well, this visit. of your lence of the idea, but red tt could Tad , a aimed. gupport of an invalid, bedridden friends has convinced me I'm right, not be carried out, It sounded too He did not raise his voice, but It car- thother, and that the latter had died ‘The {lea te to get. back from John ‘00d to be true ried through the wood, clear and thar week. He began to understand Maraland a Lt R A a t eek, « oO de and } some or all of the money he But can I get a thres years’ lease? penetrating; tt rather surprised him what she must have suffered, though Induced you te part with, How Joes he asked anxiously. to find that, though his blood was on giving no signi understood why sho trike you?" re'a no reason why not ff you fire, his temper was well in hand; could not afford to be discharge, not Vt you'll only know me how, play your hand #9 as not to arouse that, already, he was learning self- for her own sake, but for that of her f entering his house with a the agents’ suspicious ariridge & contro} mother. On the wt e had faced r forging his name toacheck, Stone ta an old-fashioned firm, and An Interval of silence followed. Then her troubles with gr rt than don how Tecan persuade him you are young and tonocent looking Marsland flung open the door, He was he to disgorge a cent, If the law can't, that's why you must carry out wenring his most formidable manner; — Confidencos beret and nly 1 can't." negotiations in person, They dot his eyes were congested, his face a presently Forbes found h speak. — “Well, here's the fdea,” said Mr, know that Vanderslica Is going to ottled red. Miss Willoughby, dressed ing abou! his own alfa Graves sell the property—nor do I positively, in black, sat at the typewriter desk They chatted in this manne Ho opened the evening paper, for that matter-and they'll be only ” LS Evening World Daily Magazine, Thursday, ably. tinued Mr, be bluff, for they dare apartment in any way, and you'll have ts w that they Silver Heels twenty-five to-one shot, and the per- centage of chances all thing 1 distinctly staking fifteen hunured or so aga’ a comfortable ttle fortune, and Grave nose glass business to know thtags,” he replied simply. ‘You DON'T SAY! OE LACES THE PRice WILE SOON BE SOARING of ACCOUNT OF THE WAR UT MY DEAR, THINK OF THE MONEY I HAVE too glad to give a long-term lease, ‘This house ts a good deal of a nul- kance to them, and it will be a wel- come change to find one tenant wh instead of demanding the usual redec- orations, undertake of his own pocket, to pay for It “Eh?” sald Forbes. “Yes,” sald the other ‘That will give you a sort Tell the agents y« ‘They will think you're wealthy, you know—they haven't reason to know otherwise -and then you're so young and ingehuous looking.” Forbes laughed suddenly, for, Mr, Graves enlarged upon the idea, b! the thing seamed better and better, of “As for the Empire Company,” con- , “the knowledge that a tenant has a three years’ lease won't act as a deterrent; sueh trans- le Grave: sharp lawyer «o seo don't.” Forbes laughed again, then sohered, “Rut suppose Silver Heels does win in the Mardi Gras? Then Mr, Vander- slice, not having to coll, will name may win, through t with you, You more than any man I You're a Au of information." Mr. Graves snitied and polished “Well, you nes, it's CHAPTER XI. The Holdup. R. GRAVES'S tdea was prow ‘Oh, that's a right, “What's that? I'm to have this apartment redec- orated, and pay for it out of my own pocket?” imperturb- pend about fifteen hundre or two thousand on it; spread your- self, vested interest in make a logical excuse a long lease, obanged your mind about 1 bring In About Iving here for 4o many years, and the sacred associations the place has for you. mises and demanding ing out; Say that, seeing ‘t touch this sald but she's a regular walking bu- ecret as the heroine of By MILDRED V story you have read. It while to read it. strom airily, an expert in such af- fairs. “He'll leave with the others.” The name “Forbes” carried no meaning to Rergstrom, He did not connect the three-year tenant's name with “Arnold Hastings.” Mr, Stuyvesant, a recent acquisition of the Pmpire Company since Forbes's time, was intrusted with the duty of interviewing the Gotham’s tenants; one and all had received a polite nott- fication from the company acquaint. ing them with the sale of the prop- erty and that demolition proceedings would be started at once, Mr. Stuyve- fant was @ lawyer; he conveyed the company's regrets In the best possthla manner, adjusted all little claims that proved absolutely neces- sary and knew how to pour oll on the troubled waters In the cheapest yet most efficactous manner, But, after a successful and gratify- tng time with the other tenants—the Interview with one—Mr, Graves—had heen particularly pleasant and enjoy~ able—Mr, Stuyvesant received @ aad shock when he ran up against the wimably wealthy young tenant looked #0 ish and tnexper- 4, Mr. Stuyvesant got off his vatter,” and Forbes fene usual smooth heard him with interest and polite- ness to the end, then satd calmly: “Thanks, but I don’t wish to move.” Mr, Stuyvesant adjusted his glasses, and took another look at his audience, “But, my dear sir,” he replied, very politely and kindly, “don't you see there's really no alternative’ “No, I don't. I hold a three-year Jeane, and you can’t put me out.” “But the house ts to be torn down!" expostulated Stuyvesant. | Forbes leaned back fn bis chair hand blew smoke in a bored manner. | “As for tearing down the house,” he | remarked, “Shylock couldn't get bin pound of flesh without shedding blood |“whtoh, I may remind you, wasn't |1n the contract—and I don't nee, Mr. | Stuyvesant, how your company pro- | poses to raze this place without dis- | turbing my apartment—which isn’t in the contract, Really, I don't see it.” “Is there any valid reason why, under the circumstances, you wish to remain?” demanded the lawyer, atriving to clonk his exasperation, | “Just take a look around the room,” (replied Forbes, “I'll be giad to show you through the rest of the apartment if you like, Do these look like the ordinary decorations? I've spent ex- actly sixteen hundred and a lot of valuable time and thought on this place, and I want @ chance to enjoy it. I’ was assured by Mr, Partridge I would be undisturbed for at least three years, and In declining to move I'm clatming no more than my lawful rights.”* “Very well, Mr, Forbes,” said Mr, Stuyvesant, with creat dignity, “then there remains but one thing more; my company will refund the entire eum spent by you on this apartment. ‘There! That's an unprecedented of- fer, 1 had hoped for an easter net- tlement—in fact, I may add, [ fully expected tt—-but there ts ‘nothing amall or mean about the Empire Com- te pany, and it always does the gen- erous thing. I've power to admit your claim in full and pay tt. We'll aay no more, Mr, Morbes; what ta the exaet amount?” flourishing an ornate fountain pen, “Of course, you will show, me the original bille and every tem." ‘That's all right, Mr. Stuyvesant, out nve, they won't do anything in the way of Yocorating, you'll do it yoursoll, distressing yourself unneces- fix It up right on condition they give Tin making ‘no elatm: when I You g three or four years’ leaso—a 9, vour company will hear about It stection to which you're entitled Do 1 understand you refuse the offer? “Mont emphatically.” “Mr, Vorbes," eatd Mr. Stuyvesant, reaching for his hat, “I am both sur- as prised and pained, and I hope you'll don mo ff | add that this attitude yours 19 totally incomprehensible, and- er rather suggestive of sbarp practice, We've offered all the con- cossions possible and you refuse to us halfway. Surely I can ap- ions happen daily, and tenants peal to your sense of Justice and fair n always be induced to “te,” play? know you cannot wish to “And if they atart tearing down the press an unfair advantage or make pbutiding?” capital out of our dilemma, a condi- “Let them, Of course, they will, tlon of affairs for which we're In no thinking they can make tt so hot for way to blame.” you you'll move out; but it will ail “I'm sorry, Mr, Stuyvesant,” he with finality, “but all argument less. 1 didn't ask your com- pany to buy this property, and Ir fuse to vacate before my lease ex- pires. All [ ask ts to be let alone, Good morning.” And Mr. Stuyveeant had nothing to 4o but return to the office and con auch a figure that Muller won't buy.” fess defeat, something he hated to do. “Nothing — ventured, = nothing = "What?" exclaimed Marsland. "Is gained,” said Mr, Graves lightly. “It's It w holdup? a Spe lation; @ legitimate specula The lawyer shook hia head. “He's tion, @ legitimate business transaction not holding out for money; “he that’ occurs daily in the realty mar- doesn't know enough for that, nor ket, We're speculating in futures, does he need tt, [ guess, He's Just & pampered, atubborn young ass, ac stomed to have Ma own way, and his he can't sea a foot before his face u're It's sheer cussedness, that's all, He's mad because old Partridge let him. ahead wit 4 decorations with confident you'll win out; I’ wouldn't telling him the property was goin have mentioned tt to you tf I waen't.” to change and he's mad at us “You know a great deal, Mr. because we t He won't move ver { Marslar » him, now leave t a few mor \roused, at Shing sleep by the most 4 grimly, You've do: reat to us." ngs later, o'clock nis my from a refr infernal din ever created by man, All the other tenants had mo out, In cluding Mr. Graves, whom Stuveysant A found #% eable and obliging, nd the building was tn process of molitton, a premium being offe ing a bi nt success, mat- apparently, he workman who J ters turning out as he had COUld maka the most nots¢ he forecast; Miiver Heels was Sink Waa in charge of @ foreman running yot, Vanderslice had very tru bricks, mor- wired his agents to sell the Gotham, tar, oat? ' ies filled the * } and the Empire Company had bought 2 U j aban toning all ef. the property, Adolph Bergstrom cons fOTi8 0" Jumped Into he clothes ducting the negotiations on one band “6 4" to Pamnonal a Mr, Pi lge on 6 other ini teeaesan we bea ad secured ; y as v e, and Par t tase ai ering Minden et to Bergstrom { r verbal ser My. Grogan arrying out or- If you should find a scrap of amber in a snowdrift— And if you should find it was the clue to a terrible You would find yourself in the same odd position THE SECRET IN THE SNOW Next Week’s Complete Novel in The Evening World This is not quite like any other “love-and-mystery” AN INWEGEN is more than worth your ders, that he had work to do, and if Mr. Forbes didn’t like it h@ could do the other thing, After a further ex- change of pleasantries Forbes retreat. ed, just escaping a large instalment of mortar and several pieces of brick drop of course accidentally but accurately, from sharpshooters on the roof, Also, on leaving for the office at eight, another accident happened, and this time with such success that he had to go back and change his clothes, And that night the infernal din kept up until far into the morning, making sleep impossible. The war was now on in earnest, and the end of the week found honors in favor of the besieged. Reinforced by a sharp young lawyer recom- mended by Mr, Graves, Forbes had complained to the Board of Health, and the Empire Company had been restricted from working at night, Mr, Stuyvesant took the matter to court, but the injunction atood; not only Forbes, but the entire neighborhood. had been disturbed, and the public did not propose to suffer for the eake of any construction company ever tn- corporated. In return for this victory Forbes acquired @ prominent black eye, do- nated gratuitously by Mr, Grogan; for the strained relations betwee them had finally resulted in pou rupture, Forbes, against } vetter Judgement, resenting ar suceems- ful “accident” with his tists, He had proved no match for the burly fore- man, and retired from the fray con- siderably damaged, but refusing, tn this dnstanoe, to seek solace in the law, Thereupon Mr, Graves, upon his army of diverse acquaint- ances, had sent ovor a ng man to look after Forbes's apartment during the day; this young man wore a green nwenter, and talked out of a conven- fent angle in his mouth. Fight fans might have recognized him as a will drawing ing entertainer who figured in certain middleweight preliminari but Mr, Grogan, however, did not; not until it was too late. He realized his mis- take after the black eye he had do- nated previously to Forbes had been returned with interest during a lively three-minute session, which ¢ traffic In the block, taught Mr, @ whole new chapter about the fistic art which he had never guessed, and brought him and his teacher up be- fore the court for a fine of $10 for creating @ public disturbance. Forbes patd the fine with a grin, and the bm pire Company, represented by Mr. Stuyvesant, with a scowl, And 1 ceeding this no more “accidents” hap pened while the young man in the green sweater looked after the Forbes apartment. At the end of the week, Marsland consulted Bergstrom, “Go over and nee what you can do with this fellow,” he aid shortly, “Money talks, and I think this is beginning to look som: thing like a hold-up, no matter what Stuyvesant says,” Thus Bergstrom's visit to Forbes was the first intimation gained by the Empire Company of their op ponent’s identity, and the discovery explained many things to thelr emis siry, For a moment he was at a loss what to aay, but Forbes, ignoring al that had happened between them greeted him politely, tf formally, and Bergstrom, — with’ ~— characteristic prompttude, got down to business. “We may an well be frank about this thi he said, courtly, f course, you'll vacate, if we make it worth your while; in other words, tt's a holdup, and you've worked it quite cleverly, if shame- lossly. The ethics of the manoeuvres dn't enter into the question, how r, for I'm here to talk busines morality.” ‘Very good,’ "Go ahead,’ “What's your bed-rock price?” “Twenty thousand dollars, Bergstrom laughed with evident amusement. “Come, Mr, Forbes, be serious; I'm paid to work, you know. We'll pay you five hundred; five hundred cash, and move you gratis, That's our only offer, and we make tt simply to get rid of the inconven- fence; it's worth five hundred to us, aid Forbes, calmly. and not ® cent more. Forbes arose, * my price; take {t or leave tt.” And Kergstrom had returned to the office undetermined whether to laugh or scowl; for ho knew as well aa anybody the posstble strength of Vorbes's posit: He reported to Marsland, who flew tnto a rage IT could wring that fellow's neck!” he erted, amashing a fist on the desk, “Wherever I turn it's Forbes, Forbes Forbes! He aves me at every turn! The infernal ttle blackiatler! Twenty thousand, eh? He won't get ty I'll show him what his game's worth!" Hergstrom shook his head, “After all," he sald, “it's business, a legttt mate speculation, # slick business deal at's pulled off every one's erand lucky enough ‘a barefaced robbery, that's what tt ist” snarled Marsiand sur tail to me about it being a legitimate? 5 nm; we've been sold ow t ! How did young black er know we were to bus the site? How did he ow—when even Partridge Ww rant—that Vanderslice was ” There's nothing lesitim it! T tell you, we n 1 11 can name t “Who ' xelaimed (To Be Continued.)