Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-08-18
Eurip Tis 3rpub1a hrap Augst Is 1904
of the combination have slipped my

mind"
abr snarled the man addressed
"You can't come that on us. Boys, he's
tryin' to gain time. He thinks we
cayn't git in the safe. Sock it to the
Hold on!' George held up his hand,
still smiling mechanically. Don't fly
off the handle l can figure out the
combination In few minutes if you'll
only take those blasted guns off me
and stand back. I'm not made Of
stone. How can man get his mind
on thing like that while you are
pointing reyolvers at him. Leave me
alone minute. I'm with you, but give
me a minute to collect myself-to think
it out"
The leader laughed. Boys" he said,
"he's scared a sight wuss n he looks.
That's compliment to us. Stand out
side the office I'll stay with i'm, but
eff you hear the slightest noise run in"
The two men did as ordered. and
George sank into chair at Hillyer's
desk He drew blank sheet of paper
to him and dipped pen.
Now git to work." said the leader.
approaching and looking over his Shout
der
George glared up at him. ''Not I'M
less you keep away from me. Get
back" he demanded sharply, cor I'll
throw it up"
"Well, you needn't be so tetchy.' and
the burglar retreated to the door. where
he stood leaning against the wall.
George had gained his point. Under
the pretense Of trying to recall the
combination he had gained time for
something he had In view. He was
going to write note to Hillyer and
cautiously slip 1t into the old mans day
book on the desk This Is what he
hastily penned and addressed to Hill
yer:
Three unknown men have me covered
with revolyers to force me to open SAFE
They think I am now studying out com
bination. Escape impossible. know you
would rather have me give in. but
can't. The world believes the son OF a
thief will steal. and it would say was
q party to the crime. I'm tired OF the
struggle anyway. l never would have
committed suicide, but am not averse tc
this chance to prove I despise dishonesty
Do this one thing for me: Tell L. G.
died hoping 1t would show that am an
honest man don't believe these men
can possibly get into the safe. and by
refusing them the combination l can save
your money and the money deposited by
many poor people who need It. Tell her
the only horror I have In facing this
thing tonight Is in leaving her to become
that mans wife God knows he cannot
take care OF her or make her happy. l
discovered in Atlanta that he Is bank
rupt. Tell her that
"say, are you goin' to take all nightT'
cried the man at the door.
George deftly slid the unfinished let
ter into the book on the desk and drew
another sheet Of paper to him. This
sheet he held before his eyes as If
studying it as he turned to the speaker.
II say, are you goin' to set thar all
nightw repeated the burglar testify.
George tore the sheet into small bits
and threw them on the floor. 1--WE
been thinking it over" he said. you've
got the upper hand Of me, but'-he
stood up and leaned on the back Of his
chair, grasping 1t firmly. I'm going
to refuse"
"RefuseY'
Eyes, I'm going to refuse" Georges
fingers closed on the posts OF the chair
like prongs Of steel, and, swinging 1t
upward, he sprang toward the man on
guard. But he was not quick enough.
With grunt of alarm the burglar fired
directly at his breast. George had seen
his peril and tried to dodge, but the
shot struck him In the forehead, and he
reeled, tottered against the wall and
fell. The others rushed in and would
have fired again at the PROSTATE form,
but their leader stopped them with q
motion of his hand Kneeling, he put
his hand in the vicinity Of Buckley's
heart.
THAT will do" he said grimly. Hes
done for. Now, git yore tools and set
to work. We can't afford to miss on
this job now"
II reckon not" said the man called
Bill, and he hurried out into the dark
ness Of the warehouse. While he was
creeping about over the rough, grain
strewn floor with massive, crunch1ng
tread the remaining two stood facing
each other, their faces paling under the