Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-01-18

ianu. Iurn Ddck 10 II, READ IL. lou
will say that was right Well
Toward two o'clock Inspector Craw-
ford came into my private Office, es.
corted by Joe. | saw in Joe's scanned,
green-gray face that some new danger
had arisen. you've got to get out OF
this" said he. "The mob in front Of
our place fills the three streets It's
made up Of crowds turned away from
the suspended banks"
l remembered the sullen faces and
the Kisses as | entered the Office that
morning earlier than usual. My win
dows were closed to keep out the
street noises; but now that my mind
was up from the work in which had
been absorbed, | could hear the sounds
Of many voices, even through the thick
plate glass.
We've got 200 policemen here"
said the inspector. Five hundred
more are on the way. But-really,
Mr.. Blackjack, unless we can get you
away, there'll be serious trouble,
Those damn newspapers! Every one
Of them denounced you this morning
and the people are in fury against
you"
i went toward the door.
Hold on, Matt cried Joe, spring
ing at me and selzing me. Where
are you going?"
ITO tell them what think OF them,
replied |, sweeping him aside. Fol-
my blood was up, and 7 was enraged
against the poor cowardly fools.
For Gods sake don't show your
self" he begged. IF you don't car,
for your own life, think of the res
Of US. We've fixed route through
buildings and under streets up Il
Broadway. Your electric is waitin;
for you there"
1T won't do" I said. I'll face 'en
its the only way"
went to the window, and was abou
to throw up one of the sunbIind.
for look at them; Crawford stoppet
me. They'll stone the building an,
then storm it," said he. "You mus
go at once. by the route we've al
ranged"
Even if you tell them I'm gone
they won't believe it," replied /.
I'VE can look out for that" sait
Joe, eager to save me, and carin,
nothing about consequences to him
self. But l had unsettled the in
spector
Send for my electric to come dow
here" said |. "T'n go out alone ant
get in it and drive away"
"That'll never do" cried Joe.
But the inspector said: Your
right, Mr.. Blackjack. It's a bar
chance. You may take 'em by SUI
prise. Again. some fellow may vel
and throw stone and" He did no
need to finish.
Joe looked wildly at me. "Yo
mustn't do it, Natl" he exclaimed
You'll precipitate a riot, Crawford
il you permit this"
But the inspector was telephonin,
for my electric. Then he went int
the adjoining room, where he con
manded a view Of the entrance
Silence between joe and me until b
returned.
THE electric is coming down tn
street." said he.
| rose. Good" said |. I'm ready.
Wait until the other police &c
here" advised Crawford.
IF the mob is in the temper yo
describe" said |, "the less that's don
to irritate it the better. | must go GU
as II hadn't a suspicion of danger"
The inspector eyed me with a
expression that was highly flatterin
to my vanity.
TIL go with you" said Joe, star
ing up from his stupor.
NO" | replied you and the othe
fellows can take the undergroun
route, If it's necessary"
1T won't be necessary" put in tn
inspector. "As soon as I'm rid of yo
and have my additional force, r
clear the Streets" He went to tn
door. wait, Mr.. Blackjack, until Nv
had time to get out to my men,"
Perhaps ten seconds after he disar
peared |, without further words. pu
on my hat, Lit cigar, shook Joe's wei
trembling hand, left in It my privat
keys aud the memorandum Of Tn
combination Of my private vault
Then | sailed forth.
/ had always had a ravenous apps
dte for excitement, and had bee
In many tight place; but for tn
first time there seemed to me to b
an equilibrium between my interna
energy and the outside situation. A
/ stepped from my street door an
glanced about me, had no feelin,
OF danger. The whole situation
seemed so simple. There stood tn
electric Just across the mario,
stretch Of sidewalk; there were. tn
200 police. under Crawford's order.
scattered everywhere through III
crowd, and gocd-naturedly jostling an
pushing to create distraction. With
out haste, got into my machine.
,SM IL |