The Basset Claim

i Copyright by Ameíícan Press Assaciation. 1 [ CONTINUED. ] and what was his delight to flnd bis íearch rewarded by the discovery oí a thick bundie of letters in the familiar oíd style handwritíng of Torn Bassett. He kaew that his great-nnele had been intímate with Mr. Causten, and glancing over the letters rapidly he saw they covered a period of many years, and touched on a largenumber of topics of personal and family interest as well as business matters. So, brnshing off the dust, he began on his task with a born lawyer's love for musty family archives. The documenta covered, it seemed, a period of more than twenty years, and recorded in a general way Tom Bassett's fortune, good and bad, in pnshing the claim for that time. Incidentally, iowever, the writer had touched, with characteristic humor and kindliness, on many topics, showing that his intimacy with Mr. Causten had not beenconfined to business. The letters contained many pungent observationa on historie characters and ref erences to legislation of by-gone days, all of which found an eager reader in his favorite nephew, and in the light of his present circumstances Windward was especially interested to find how affectionate had been Tom's relations to McArdle, then a struggling young attorney like himself. Turning over page after page in this manner he came suddenly on a passage in one of the letters which made him drop the sheet with an exclamation of astonishment; and, like the lovers in "Ravenna," he "read no more that day." CHAPTER XVI. A BUSINESS OPPOUTUMTY. The private secretary of a railroad king is a good man to know; so Stevens had thcmght f or some time, and especially now that earlier ambitions had revived and he yearned to get out 'Of the department rut and make a career. Mr. Atwood, the secretary, was, moreover, as it happened, a rather interesting and companionableraan,when, upon familiar acquaintance, he laid aside the reserve he rnaintained toward strangers. His knowlege of raüroad affairs was extensive, and he was evidently a person of intelligence and capacity; thoroughgoing, accurate and prompt in his methods, and orderly in his habits, both good and bad. His views of life and men were cynical but keen, and often very witty even where unjust. His position was one of trust ariti authority, bringing him into confidential relations with his chief , with whom his influence would be potential in determining the fortunes of others. Stevens had often laid before himself the career of a successful railroad man as preferable to almost all others. There was something solid and yet romantic in it that gave it in his eyes a powerful attraction. It was based on iron. It bound the world together. Tho machinery was noble; and those smoking bolts of trade, discharged wjth precisión, sped along their appointed tracks like the stars in their tangled orbits. The locomotivo ia the most human of machines; it breathes, eats,works and sleeps; itisemotional; has the sulks, groans and pants under heavy tasks, yet rejoices in its strength; is patiënt and resolute, and finally rushes proudly home on time; it is a thing to love, and men have died for it. Then, as a business, the carrying trade was most alluring to him through its enormous bulk, its usefulness, the honesty and nicety of attention it involved, the high and varkras intelligence demanded, the stalwart attributes of human nature, energy, fidelity, competence, virtne, courage and the likecalled into action, and the opportonity and scope it furnished for the most splendid ambition. And of late its political bearing had impressed him. There was a time when gentüity chiefly consisted in killing people, and the warrior or professional homicide was the greatest man ; but the new kings are the kings of trade, and our new nobility boards of directors. Henee he longed for the wealth, power and standing oí the successful railroad man. And now love carne to taunt him with his littleness and to show him the awarda that wait on prosperous valor. Mr. Atwood, however, gave him little encouragement. Salaries in railroad ofiBces, he said, were small and promotion slow. Thü great fortunes were made by ppeeulation aided by rascality - a lucky combination of good guessing and good lying. "It's diamond cut diamond," said the secretary. "And the old man is like all the rest of thern. As for me, I got tired of working for other people some time ago. I work now for Mr. Atwood. Stdll, I can do a favor yet. I used to be poor myself ; you have some money?" "Oh, a trifle,' said Stevens. "Just a nest egg." "Nest eg;rs make good 'fliers,' " observed Atwi od, dryly. "How about your friend Bassettf" "He is quite wealthy," said Stevens. "And a claimant?" returned Atwood. "An amateur, I suppose. A beggar for íun. Well, ricli ybung men must do something to kill time." "He is mach in earnest,"' said Stevens, not quite relishing thia levity," and we hope to get the inoney." The secretary shook hishead. ' 'Stocks are queer, but I guess I'U stick to them." Possibly here was Stevens' chance. "And I would,'" he exclaiined, "if I knew the ropes." "Oh, well,'' said Atwood, with an evil cynical smile, "it's not my business to give the OL'l Man away, and if I let yon have a -p-ointer,' do for sake keep it quiet with yonr friend." And then in a stolid, callous fashion he proceeded "to give the Oíd Man away," as he phrased it, or, in plainer English, to betray the company's plans It was very simple, and soon over: bu that moment made Stevens an older man. The curtain was drawn aside, anc he saw before him a road to wealth, bu it lay through villainy. He could make a fortune by marketing stolen informa tion. "Mind, I don't advise," said Atwood "As I just said, stocks are queer." "I understand," replied Stevens. "Anc I will try to repay you somehow an( some time." "Oh, give and take is my motto," sak the secretary. "You can do me a gxxx turn some time. Only don't spread this I want to do all the spreading mvself Early information is good capital for a rising young secretary, you understand.' And here, dismissing the whole subjec with a laugh, he lit a fresh cigar and be gan to talk of something else. This opportunity, or temptation, cost Stevens a restless night. It might bo bis chance, and yethe hesitated; possibly he was silly with love and didn't know a business opening when it carne to him He was confused; he wished he mighi forgetí he felt tarnished with guilty knowledge as one who unwittingly hatl eaten forbidden fruit. He hesitated to open the matter to his friend, and ye1 wTien the morning carne he decided to do so. Windward heard the story with surprise and attention, though he showed less excitement than Stevens himself feit and expected to arouse by his recital. For Bassett, while not rich, in today's use of the word, had money enough to bring him that knowledge of mankind that comes from possessing, even in a limited degr.ee, what one's neighbors lack, but greatly crave. He had been shown schemes of easy millions before. However, the matter was worth consideration. Atwood wasperfidious, to be sure, and his turpitude might not spring from pure benevolence. Very likely he had his motive, but that was his lookout. Facts were still facts, and Windward, while he confessed to compunctions, and despised the traitor, saw no great objection, morally, to using information acquired without any corrupt act on his part. "But Col. McArdle is my counsel; ril consult him," he said to his friend. "Would that be fair to Atwood?" ventured Stevens. Windward's lips curled. "Fair enough," he replied. To McArdle, therefore, he went and presen ted the essen tials of the scheme, the colonel listening with his usual serenity. "Well," he said after hearingthe story through, "it's plausible. That's the way men make money - trading in stolen secrets. I've done it myself. But yon want to be sure they are secrets, and, so to speak, honestly stolen. Look out for the three card monte game." Windward nodded, thrust his hands into his trousers' pockets with the air of a man of affairs, and after brooding thus a moment over the colonel's advice, looked up in his face with a langh, and said: "Much obliged. I won't touch it," and went home. Arriving there, he found Stevens pacing up and down the room, evidently much excited. "Well, I've decided to let it alone," said Windward. 'Tm glad of it; very glad," exclaimed Stevens. "That Atwood is a rascal!" "Evidently," said Windward coolly. "A great rascal," Stevens went on angrily, "and we know it. He is robbing his employer's safe and we se him at it. And I want to know what we ought to do as decent, honest people?' "Pshaw, Stevens!" exclaimed Windward; "you may be right abstractly, but really I don't see as we are called upon to interfere or that it is any of our business. As Atwood said, it's diamond cut diamond. I presnme the 'Old Man,' as Atwood affectionately calis him, isdoing the same thing constantly on a larger scale." Stevens strode up and down the room, not convinced, shaking his head, revolving angry thoughts. It was rare that this even tempered, sensible man was so agitated. Windward did not remember having seen him in a similar passion but once or twice before, and then something had happened shortly after! Across and across the floor he went, saying nothing, for he was one of the dangerous sort of men who show excitement by growing silent. But finallyhe burst out: "I can't see it as you do, Windward. I see simple villainy, and that of a detestable sort. I am half inclined to go to headquarters." "To the 'Old Maní " exclaimed Windward, astonished and half amused. "Yes, to the 'Old Man,' " replied Stevens sternly. "Well," cried Windward, at a loss what to say. He admired his friend's courage and houesty, and vet, somehow, it seemed ridiculous. At that moment a knock sounded on the door. Windward opened it, and found Mr. Atwood standing in the entry. "Is Mr. Stevens here?" he asked. "Ah, yes; how de do. I'm suddenly called to New York, and the Old Man has a lot of dictation. You said yon had picked up a little shorthand. Would you mind making a night of it? You might work into a regular situation, you know." Stevens colored and exchanged a significant glance with Windward. "Why, [ dont mind," he said, painfully aware of falling Erom the heroic to the sensible, f et happy and excited at a proposal that held out such possibilities. CHAPTER XVII. THE 1BO.V DLKE. Stevens found the Iron DiiWa ne all great Americana, casüy aecessible, The cali boy who took up the card ïvturnei with a request thát the visitor coiné up a once; and eo. followin the servant, Stev ens proceeded Uircctly to an upper room in the hotel, where the railroad man was found alone and busily writing at a dis orderly desk. [ TO BE CONTINDED. ]