The Starkville news. (Starkville, Miss.) 1902-1960, 1904-08-05
lround and brought his nst down on the

inviting somebody to take him up, if any
one dared, But everybody was silent.
A minute passed, then Bob George arose
and walked over to the bar.
That's pretty big odds you're offer
ing" he said to Thompson, land it
seems like somebody ought to take your
bet"
why don't you take it. then?"
Thompson asked, and laugh went
around the room.
me? Oh, never gamble" Bob re-
piled, in his soft, gentle voice. Still, it
seems like a shame to let bet ike that
go by"
Then, you'd better take it, Nobody
else seems to want it,
Bob was silent and thoughtful for a
minute, then he said, quietly:
We'll, maybe I'd better happen to
have $500. Put up your money"
While the bet was being arranged
some of the spectators stood about, MAX
complimentary to Bob. One man went
so far as to say:
Nobody but derned fool would bet
against sure thing. no matter how
Sreat the odds in his favor. Any man
Of ordinary sense wouldn't take that bet
at odds Of 100 to one.'
ANY man with a particle OF sense
at all wouldn't" another added.
Bob heard these remarks, but appar-
emily, they did not disturb him in the
least He was as calm as a summer
breeze, and on his face was that bland,
pleasant smile. He was so childlike
and trusting that it seemed almost like
stealing milk from baby to accept his
offer to bet. A man more honorable
than Blue Thompson would have hesi-
tated to take advantage of his unsophis-
ticated innocence.
When the bet was all arranged, and
the stakes properly deposited, Joe said:
Now, how and when is thissthing to
he decided?'
Bob looked UP at Thompson, trust
ingly, a.s if inviting him to answer. The
latter, assuming an important, swag-
gering, arrogant air, and ignoring Bob
entirely, said
"A week is all the time l want for
marrying the widow. You can prepare
to hand over the stakes to me by that
time"
And if you don't marry her." Bob
said, questioningly. Il get the money"
'Of course" Thompson answered,
condescendingly. But, if l were you.
l would not lay awake Of nights, plan
ming out how to invest it,"
"Oh, WON'T" Bob replied. 81 never
lose sleep over things like that. But,
why should we wait week to decide this
thing? Why not decide it right now?"
Thompson laughed and the crowd
Joined in. Bob was certainly very
funny
do you think man can decide
thing like this In two minutes" Thomp-
son asked.
Il can," Bob replied.
'You can? How?"
"I'Ut show you"
In 4 flash Bob had pulled his gun and
held it pointed at Blue Thompson's head.
The latter started back, with surprise.
and the crowd began to move restlessly.
BE quiet, gentlemen, everybody"
Bob said, and the softness and gentle
ness was all gone out of his voice, and
the smile had left his face. "This is
little matter. of business, and it is all
quite regular, assure YOU"
but, there shall be no murder here
Joe interposed. 'You shall not resort
to that tS win your bet. Men, disalm
him"
Several of the spectators started to-
ward Bob, but before they could lay
their hands on him he threw back the
lapel of his coat and revealed a de-
tective's badge. those who had started
to- interfere fell back.
There will be nobody hurt, Bob said,
unless some of you try to interfere with
me in the discharge of my duty AS
said, this thing is all proper and reg
ular"
There was long and death-like ST.
lence. Bob, calm and cool, looked at
Thompson, and the latter, gloomy and
covering, looked at Bob. The specta-
tors. their faces pictures OF astonish-
ment. looked enquiringly from one to
the other. Finally, Joe broke the silence
by saying:
What does it ali mean?"
"It means, simply" Bob replied, that
Blue Thompson is not Blue Thompson
at all, and that, instead of being brave.
bad man. he is only a common mur-
derer He nilled an old man. stole that