“Impossible!” was Mr. Hale’s rejoinder, when I had read the item aloud; but the incident evidently weighed upon his mind, for late in the afternoon, with many epithets denunciatory of his foolishness, he asked me to acquaint the police with the affair.  I had the pleasure of being laughed at in the Inspector’s private office, although I went away with the assurance that they would look into it and that the vicinity of Polk and Clermont would be doubly patrolled on the night mentioned.  There it dropped, till the two weeks had sped by, when the following note came to us through the mail: 

Office of the M. Of M. October 15, 1899.

Mr. Eben Hale, Money Baron: 

Dear Sir,—­Your second victim has fallen on schedule time.  We are in no hurry; but to increase the pressure we shall henceforth kill weekly.  To protect ourselves against police interference we shall hereafter inform you of the event but a little prior to or simultaneously with the deed.  Trusting this finds you in good health,

We are,

The minions of Midas.

This time Mr. Hale took up the paper, and after a brief search, read to me this account: 

A DASTARDLY CRIME

Joseph Donahue, assigned only last night to special patrol duty in the Eleventh Ward, at midnight was shot through the brain and instantly killed.  The tragedy was enacted in the full glare of the street lights on the corner of Polk Street and Clermont Avenue.  Our society is indeed unstable when the custodians of its peace are thus openly and wantonly shot down.  The police have so far been unable to obtain the slightest clue.

Barely had he finished this when the police arrived—­the Inspector himself and two of his keenest sleuths.  Alarm sat upon their faces, and it was plain that they were seriously perturbed.  Though the facts were so few and simple, we talked long, going over the affair again and again.  When the Inspector went away, he confidently assured us that everything would soon be straightened out and the assassins run to earth.  In the meantime he thought it well to detail guards for the protection of Mr. Hale and myself, and several more to be constantly on the vigil about the house and grounds.  After the lapse of a week, at one o’clock in the afternoon, this telegram was received: 

Office of the M. Of M. October 21, 1899.

Mr. Eben Hale, Money Baron: 

Dear Sir,—­We are sorry to note how completely you have misunderstood us.  You have seen fit to surround yourself and household with armed guards, as though, forsooth, we were common criminals, apt to break in upon you and wrest away by force your twenty millions.  Believe us, this is farthest from our intention.