Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-11-02
CHAPTER XIV.
Retribution,

glanced her up ana down without
visible emotion. then laughed I'M
pleasantly--the hard and .unyielding
laugh of brute man brutishly impas-
stoned.
This silly ass, Maitland he OBJ
served, isn't really as superhuous as
he seems find him quite convent
ence, and l suppose that ought to be
totted up to his credit, since it's be-
cause he's got the good taste to re-
semble me Consider his
thoughtfulness in providing me this
cab! What'd I've done without it?
To tell the truth | was quite at loss
to frame it up, how to win your coy
consent to this giddy elopment, back
there in the hall. But dear kind Mis-
ter Mainland, bless his innocent heart!
fixes 1t all up for me. And
So" concluded the criminal with
ironic relish-"and so I've got you, my
lady"
He looked at her in sidelong fash
ion, speculative, calculating, relent-
less. And she bowed her head, as
senting Yes"
You're dead right, little woman.
Got you. Um-mmm."
She made no reply; she could have
made none aside from raising an out
cry, although now she was regaining
something of her shattered poise, and
with 1t the ability to accept the situa-
tion quietly, for little time (she
could not guess how long she could
endure the STRAIN, pending an oppor-
tunity to turn the tables on this. her
prosecutor.
What is It," she said presently,
with some effort-"what is it you
wish with me-"
II have my purpose" with q grim
smile.
You will not tell me?"
you've guessed it, my lady; I will
not-just yet. Wait bit"
She spurred her tagging spirit until
it flashed defiance MIR. Anisty!"
"Yes?" he responded with a curling
lip. cold eyes to hers.
Il demand"
"No you DON'T" he cut her short
with snarl. You're not in position
to demand anything. Maybe it would
be as wellsfor you to remember who
you're dealing with
"And-?" heart sinking again.
"And I've been made q fool Of just
as long as / can stand for it. I'm a
crook-like yourself, my lady, but with
more backbone and some pride in be-
ing at the head Of my profession. m
wanted in dozen places; I'll spend
the rest of my days in thespen, if they
ever get me- Twice to-day I've been
within an ace of being nabbed-kind-
ness of you and your Maitland. Now
Pm desperate and determined. Do
you connect"
"What-?" she asked, breathlessly.
81 can make you understand, l
fancy. Tonight, instead of dropping
to the backyard and shining over the
fences to safety took the fire-escape
up to the top-hat-something copper
would never think of-and went
through to the hall Why? Why, to
interrupt the tender tete-a-tete Matt
land had planned Why again? Be
cause, for one thing, I've never yet
been beaten at my own game; and
I'm too old dog to learn new tricks.
Moreover, no man yet has ever laid
hands on me in anger and not regret
ted it," The criminals voice fell a
note or two, shaking with somber pas
! sion. .'l'll have that pups hide yeti"
! he swore.
The'girl tried to nerve herself 1T
1T doesn't seem to strike YOU she
argued, controlling her hysteria by
sheer strength of purpose that
have only to raise my voice to bring
all Broadway to my rescue"
For by now the cab had sheared of
into that thoroughfare, and was rock
ing rapidly south, between glittering
walls of light. A surface car swooped
down upon them, and past, making
night hideous with gong and drum
ming trucks, and drowning Anisty's
response. For which reason he ehcSe
to repeat it, with added emphasis.
You try it on, my lady, and see
WHat llappeHS.
She had no answer ready, and he
proceeded, after waiting moment:
But you're not going to be sucn
fool. You have no pleasure in the
prospect of seeing the inside OF the
Tonbs, yourself; and, besides, syoil
ought to know me we'll enough to
Know,
'What??" she breathed, in spite OF
herself.
Anisty folded his arms, thrustins
the right hand beneath his coat.
Maitland got only one of my guns, :
he announced, ironically. fie'd sc
got The contents of the Other Only he
chose to play the fool and into my
hands. Now guess you understand
and turning his head he .lxed her
with an inf1exible glare, chill and
heartless as steel-"that one squeal
out of YOU will be the last Oh. I've
got no scruples; arrest to me means
living death. I'll take short course
by preference, and-rll take you with
me for company"
"You-you mean you would shoot
me-" she whispered. increduious
Like dog" he returned With
JUNCTION.
You, a man, would-would shoot
woman"
+, you're not a woman, my lady;