"Well," explained Forrester, smiling, "I'm in deep trouble and you, as a newspaper man, may prove to be a friend in need."
The young man visibly expanded as he remarked, "That's right! We newspaper men can be a lot of help sometimes. If there is anything I can do, say the word. My name's Humphrey."
"I'm very glad to know you," said Forrester. "Now, may I inquire how you happened to call on me?"
"Sure thing," returned Humphrey. "You see, our police reporter informed us that you had been to the detective bureau today—that you had received one of those notices from the 'Friends of the Poor.' Owing to the death of a prominent man like Mr. Nevins, which is attributed to these people, our paper is going to run a special feature article tomorrow morning, reviewing the whole history of this affair. Naturally, we want to know all the details of each case, and what every one connected with it has to say. As you seem to be the latest victim, we are interested in the particulars of your case, and your personal views regarding it."
"I am afraid," declared Forrester, "that the details of one case correspond very closely to those of any other case. I have merely received a warning to put ten thousand dollars in a certain tree by midnight Saturday or take the consequences."
"You're quite right," agreed Humphrey. "The method in each case is the same. But the outcome is not always the same. What do you propose doing in the matter?"
"Well, for one thing," asserted Forrester, "I do not intend to pay!"
"That's the stuff!" approved Humphrey. "If everyone would fight, we'd soon put those fellows out of business. But," he added, leaning confidentially toward Forrester, "how do you propose to fight them?"
"That," said Forrester, "is a question I have not entirely settled as yet. As you know, I went to the detective bureau this afternoon."
"Poof!" grunted Humphrey, leaning back and flicking the ashes from his cigar.