Part 32 (2/2)

”I'm not afraid,” she replied. ”Just startled, that's all. Did he--did he do it because you took this money--because he was afraid of what would happen?”

”You mean Hayden?” Magee said. ”No. This money was not concerned in--his death. That is an affair between Kendrick and him.”

”I see,” answered the girl slowly. ”I'm so glad it wasn't--the money. I couldn't bear it if it were.”

”May I call your attention,” remarked Magee, ”to the fact that the long reign of 'I'm going to' is ended, and the rule of 'I've done it' has begun? I've actually got the money. Somehow, it doesn't seem to thrill you the way I thought it would.”

”But it does--oh, it does!” cried the girl. ”I was upset--for a moment.

It's glorious news And with you on guard here, I'm not afraid to carry it away--down the mountain--and to Reuton. I'll be with you in a moment, ready for the journey.”

She called Mrs. Norton and the two went rather timidly up-stairs together. Mr. Magee turned to his companions in the room, and mentally called their roll. They were all there, the professor, the mayor, Max, Bland, Peters, Miss Thornhill, and the newcomer Kendrick, a man prematurely old, grayed at the temples, and with a face yellowed by fever. He and the professor were talking earnestly together, and now the old man came and stood before Magee.

”Mr. Magee,” he said seriously, ”I learn from Kendrick that you have in your possession a certain package of money that has been much buffeted about here at Baldpate Inn. Now I suggest--no, I demand--”

”Pardon me, Professor,” Mr. Magee interrupted. ”I have something to suggest--even to demand. It is that you, and every one else present, select a chair and sit down. I suggest, though I do not demand, that you pick comfortable chairs. For the vigil that you are about to begin will prove a long one.”

”What d'you mean?” asked the mayor of Reuton, coming militantly to Professor Bolton's side.

Magee did not reply. Miss Norton and her mother came down the stair, the former wrapped in a great coat. She stood on the bottom step, her cheeks flushed, her eyes ablaze. Mr. Magee, going to her side, reflected that she looked charming and wonderful, and wished he had time to admire. But he hadn't. He took from one pocket the pistol he had removed from the hand of Hayden; from the other the celebrated package of money.

”I warn you all,” he said, ”I will shoot any one who makes a move for this bundle. Miss Norton is going to take it away with her--she is to catch the ten-thirty train for Reuton. The train arrives at its destination at twelve. Much as it pains me to say it, no one will leave this room before twelve-fifteen.”

”You--crook!” roared Cargan.

Mr. Magee smiled as he put the package in the girl's hand.

”Possibly,” he said. ”But, Mr. Cargan, the blackness of the kettle always has annoyed the pot. Do not be afraid,” he added to the girl.

”Every gentleman in this room is to spend the evening with me. You will not be annoyed in any way.” He looked around the menacing circle. ”Go,”

he said, ”and may the G.o.ds of the mountain take care of you.”

The little professor of Comparative Literature stepped forward and stood pompously before Magee.

”One moment,” he remarked. ”Before you steal this money in front of our very eyes, I want to inform you who I am, and who I represent here.”

”This is no time,” replied Magee, ”for light talk on the subject of blondes.”

”This is the time,” said the professor warmly, ”for me to tell you that Mr. Kendrick here and myself represent at Baldpate Inn the prosecuting attorney of Reuton county. We--”

Cargan, big, red, volcanic, interrupted.

”Drayton,” he bellowed. ”Drayton sent you here? The rat! The pup! Why, I made that kid. I put him where he is. He won't dare touch me.”

”Won't he?” returned Professor Bolton. ”My dear sir, you are mistaken.

Drayton fully intends to prosecute you on the ground that you arranged to pa.s.s Ordinance Number 45, granting the Suburban Railway the privilege of merging with the Civic, in exchange for this bribe of two hundred thousand dollars.”

”He won't dare,” cried Cargan. ”I made him.”

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