Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1907-09-28


his looks. But he offered { pay In ad-
vance. l was goin { give him notice
in tn mornin' Tn agent won't stand
for no sech goin's-nn."
Was he in the habit Of getting
drunk"
"Oh, he's been comfortable tanked
ever since he's been here could smell
it on him-but never SO bad as t'night.
We can't have that here-Our other peu-
pie wouldn't stand it,"
Are all the apartments oCcupied?'
"No-y' see they've been remodellin'
tn house, tearin' II all apart. turniu'
il inside out II used T. bee q hotel an
a damn poor one. II wasn't maxim
any money, so tn guy that owns il
thought he'd turn it int an apart
nent house. The men that was
a-Workn' on Il got three SCOTS
done an then around come a
walkin' delegate with a red nose an
big black mustache, an ordered EN-
out on strike. Them three that's
done are all fun, though Thompson
had one; Tremaine an his wifes got
another an two young sports what
re lettin on L study art S got tn third
away up at IN top with a skylight'
Godfrey smoked on placidly. He sus-
pected that Higgins had something
more TO tell, and he saw that the only
way TO get fl was to wait with what
patience he could He was in no hurry,
besides he wanted time 10 think He
had not yet recovered from that shock
of realizing how he had gone wandering
after a will-o'-wisp Of his own creation
He had fancied himself astute
Ihe door opened. he heard Higgins
utter a sharp cry of amazement He
looked up to see Smmonds-and with
him another man, heavy set. with a
dark mustache He caught the gleam
Of steel at his wrists.
Higgins was on his feet, staring.
50 you recognize him, do you?"
asked Simmonds, his face shining with
triumph. II thought l couldn't be
wrong. | got him quicker n / expected
Godfrey; | didn't even have TO hunt for
him. OF course, you know him?"
How do you do, Mr. Godfrey" said
the prisoner politely. "Oh yes, Mr.
Godfrey knows me-he knows me too
well to think I'd be mixed up i'm any
thing like this"
How are YOU jimmy" returned
Godfrey No, / didn't suppose"
"Of course not" said Jimmy with
scorn ! wouldn't put a man out-that
amt my line" And indeed is wasn't.
for Jimmy the Dude had gained his rep
utation as an expert manipulation of
combination locks.
The detective had listened with a sat
isfied smile.
Higgins, he said. this is the fellow
who brought Thompson home, amt
he?"
Yes, sir" responded the janitor in
articulately
This, observed Jimmy, with fine
indignation, is what a man gets for
doing good action | found that cove
over al MagraW's S just spoilin for trou-
Bile, and took him in tow and brought
him nome. Now You say l put him
out, ia better have kept my hands
off,
We all know you've got kind
heart Jimmy" retorted Simmonds.
Did he have anything in his pockets
besides that key"
What key"
The key to his room; of course you
took that"
"Of course l did, said Jimmy. with
deep irony. WHY, Of course | did
You'H find it on me
"Oh, no, we won't" returned Sim
mCnds, still smiling. i've much bet
ter opinion of you than that. Jimmy"
Why look here" cT:ed Jimmy seem
inEiy deeply eXasperatcd, what a /
want to put him out for? Did he have
any dough?"
You probably know more about that
than we do answered Simmonds, with
meaning
You mean I went through him?
Well, l didn't, But if ! did, what d
] want t come back ana kin him
for"
"of course murmured simmonds
gazing meditatively 1T the ceiling. ITS
quite possible that he'd drop q word
about the pile he had salted down i'm
his room
"Oh, helI," said Jimmy "A bum like
that Put come; lets see how far you'll
go-of course you've got It figured OUT
How did / work it? Mr.. Higgins, here
saw me leave the building"
NO. he didn't Jimmy corrected
Simmonds gently. He only saw YOU
start for the street door. Rut as soon
as the elevator started you took TO the
stairs
Jimmy threw up his hands with a fine
gesture Of despair
"Oh. you've got it all fixed, " he cried
'You'll railroad me to the chair If YOU
can. J suppose you've got somebody
thatl swear they saw me do it?"
Yes agreed Simmonds quietly, 1--WE
have"
Jimmy paused to look at him ana
turned a little pale when he saw he
was i'm earnest He began to realize
that perhaps he was really in a tight
place,
Come, Mr.. Simmonds" he said. at
last you done mean that"
You ought TO know. III have you
identified tomorrow"
'ldentiiiedF
"Yes-by the woman who saw you
kill Thompson"
"A woman is it?" asked Jimmy help
lessly "Mebbe she's already been so
ohligin' as 70 give you my name?"
NO but she gave us a description
of you-a mighty good one | spotted
you as soon as / heard Higgins story"
SO Mr. Higgins had "a tale to tell.
too, did he.' asked the Cracksnan. with
DN oil
janitor. Was he also on the scene2
or mebbe he was lookin through the
transOm? ?"
NO cause to get funny. Jimmy. You
won't feel that way after | set through
with YOU
bright man, AIr Slmmonds,"
Bright OF not" said Simmonds com
placently I've got you. Your records
against you, jimmy"
That's it-sive a dog q bad name
see here, MT. Godfrey. you don't believe
Ia be such damned fool as To pat
a man out with a woman watchin' me
DO it,"
7 don't know what to think" am
swered Godfrey slowly 1T doesn't
seem quite ike you. Jimmy"
Like me- should say not. And if
! was crazy enough to do thing IKE
that, would so back 10 Pete Ma
A4lhIR.
LOT the police t1 come after ne? II
you think I'i % a thine like that
you'd better send me TO BcileyEe and (
be done with IT,"
II was expecting that argument.
Jimmy" said Simmonds. still smilins.
You're a deep onet"
Jimmy threw up his hands again.
OF course he cried You win. /
lose! II ia run away, II d be q CON
fession OF guilt; il / stay it's because
l IN IN deep un' on, it's lots Of justice
I'll get. Well 90 ahead. GO ahead ana
prove 1t! I'll prove an alibi."
ON, know you've got that all fixed
Jimmy" retorted Simmonds II ex-
pected that knew you'd think of that /
right away. Who'll swear to f.? Ma
grave"
Jimmy's face was growing flushed.
his temper was getting the better of !
eim, which, perhaps. was Just what
Simmonds wanted.