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Page 69
"Because you can earn it."
"How?"
"Shall I be blunt and plain?"
"It is always the best way."
"Very well, then," resumed the colonel desperately. "A certain
unclaimed express package was sold here to-day, marked A.A. Adams.
You've got it."
"How do you know that?"
"Oh, you know it and I want it. Hand it over, and here"--the colonel
made a dive for his pocketbook--"here's your thousand dollars."
Bart made a signal of remonstrance with his hand, his face grave and
decided.
"Stop right there, Colonel Harrington," he said forcibly. "Are you aware
that you are offering a bribe to a bonded representative of the express
company?"
"Rot take your express company!" growled the colonel angrily. "I am one
of its stock-holders. I could buy the whole concern out, if I wanted
to!"
"Until you do, I obey official instructions," announced Bart. "Please do
not degrade yourself and embarrass me, Colonel Harrington, by saying
anything further on this score. I will not sell my honor, nor swerve a
hair's breadth from a line of duty plain and clear. The package you
refer to was legally purchased by the highest bidder, I hold it
temporarily in trust for him. It is as safe and sacred with me as if it
was the property of the First National Bank of Pleasantville."
Colonel Harrington squirmed, got red and pale by turns, gripped his cane
fiercely, and then, relaxed with a groan.
"It's my property!" he declared. "I can prove it's my property."
"Then I suggest that you persuade the person who bought it of that
fact," said Bart.
"Say!" shot out the colonel eagerly, his eye brightening, "if I bring an
order from that same person, will you give up the package?"
Bart hesitated.
"You know where he is, then?" he inquired suspiciously.
"I--I might find him," stammered the military man.
"I do not think I would," said Bart. "Bring him here personally, and I
will hand it over to him--in your presence, if he says so."
The colonel groaned again. It was plainly to be seen that he was in an
intense inward frenzy.
"Stirling, you've got to give me that package!" he cried, springing to
his feet and lifting his cane threateningly.
"Have I?" said Bart, facing him watchingly.
"Be careful, Colonel Harrington! you are pretty near committing a
criminal offense."
"You're in the plot--you know all about it! Give up that package,
or--or--"
"Colonel Harrington," said Bart calmly, but every word ringing out as
clear as the tone of a bell, "I am no ruffian, and I hate violence, but
if you lift that cane to me again--I'll shoot."
Bart showed the gleaming top of the weapon in his pocket, backing to the
door.
Just then the door behind him was forcibly thrust open, its edge hitting
him violently. Then someone pounced upon him.
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