iter for the
_Star_. These accidents were not given in detail.

"An amusing feature of the whole affair," said Miss Evelyn Rhodes, "was
the presence at the inn of Mr. William Hallowell Magee, the New York
writer of light fiction, who had come there to escape the distractions
of a great city, and to work in the solitude, and who immediately on his
arrival became involved in the surprising drama of Baldpate."

"I'm an amusing feature," reflected Magee.

"Mr. Magee," continued Miss Rhodes, "will doubtless be one of the
state's chief witnesses when the case against Cargan comes to trial, as
will also Professor Thaddeus Bolton, holder of the Crandall Chair of
Comparative Literature at Reuton University, and Mr. David Kendrick,
formerly of the Suburban, but who retired six years ago to take up his
residence abroad. The latter two went to the inn to represent Prosecutor
Drayton, and made every effort in their power to secure the package of
money from the reporter for the _Star_, not knowing her connection with
the affair."

"Well, Mr. Magee?" asked Professor Bolton, laying down the paper which
he had been perusing at a distance of about an inch from his nose.

"Once again, Professor," laughed Magee, "reporters have entered your
life."

The old man sighed.

"It was very kind of her," he said, "not to mention that I was the
person who compared blondes of the peroxide variety with suffragettes.
Others will not be so kind. The matter will be resurrected and used
against me at the trial, I'm sure. A plucky girl, Mr. Magee--a very
plucky girl. How times do change. When I was young, girls of her age
would scarcely have thought of venturing forth into the highways on such
perilous missions. I congratulate you. You showed unusual perception.
You deserve a great reward--the young lady's favor, let us say."

"You got to get me out of this," Max was still telling the mayor.

"For God's sake," cried Cargan, "shut up and let me think." He sat for a
moment staring at one place, his face still lacking all emotion, but his
eyes a trifle narrower than before. "You haven't got me yet," he cried,
standing up. "By the eternal, I'll fight to the last ditch, and I'll
win. I'll show Drayton he can't play this game on me. I'll show the
_Star_. That dirty sheet has hounded me for years. I'll put it out of
business. And I'll send the reformers howling into the alleys, sick of
the fuss they started themselves."

"Perhaps," said Professor Bolt