The new era., 1909-07-15

where 1t is now. When you pull the
trigger you have made your last play
Hold on and luck may change"
1T can't" exclaimed the other de-
spairingly. "A man has possession Of
can ruin me with them. He offers to
give them up for 100000. l have till
midnight. 1t is time for him to be
here now. Unless l pay tonight he
will use the papers. have tried to
raise the money. l can't"
Gratsy wrinkled his forehead and
looked straight ahead.
At that moment there came sharp
ring.
Hes comet" gasped the man, and
he started towards the pistol that still
lay on the floor.
Gratsy made quick spring for it.
His eyes blazed.
"Give the kid chance, mani" he
said. go down. Let him in. Bring
him up here. I'll hang round the hall.
hear him talk. Something might
come of it. If there don't, swear
to God I'll give you back your gun,
and you can do what you like after
he has gone and l have got clear Of
the house. Go now!"
The man obeyed, and Gratsy. stand.
ing In the shadow. watched them
cross the hall, enter the room he had
left, and close the door.
Gratsy looked at the door and
grinned. ITS hard game" he said.
"and a fool game, but it's up to me-
I'll take chance!"
He hastily tied handkerchief over
the lower part of his face, and. TAX
ing the mans pistol in one hand and
his own in the other, he crossed the
hall and threw open the door.
Hands up. gents! and be quick
about it," he ordered in his profess
sional tone.
The hands went up. and the new
conner uttered smothered curse.
"None of that" said Gratsy, stern
ly. You stand there and keep stilli
You other fellow, get into that closet
quick. and shut the door,"
The man obeyed like person in =
dream. Gratsy turned the key.
Now" said he to the newcomer,
shell out! Put the stuff on that
table. want that pocketbook," add
ed he, tapping the others coat.
There is nothing except papers in
that" said the newcomer in a low
tone, glancing at the closet door. "I
swear it."
Put 1t on the table," commanded
Gratsy, I'll see about that. No!
don't want your watch. Now get into
that closet" added Gratsy, opening
the door. "and if you make sound
I'll make sieve of that door. Come
out. you other fellow!" The man
came out and Gratsy closed the door
and locked it. Then he took the
handkerchief from his face, grinned
broadly. and pointed to the table, at
the same time saying out loud, with
affected sternness: Now it's your
turn to dig up! Be quick about it,"
The man went rapidly over the con-
tents of the pocketbook, took out a
couple of papers with trembling
hands. nodded, and put them in his
pocket.
Gratsy took the pocketbook and the
remaining papers and put them on the
fire.
Il don't dare to carry them away,
and ii l leave them, he'll miss the
Others" he murmured.
The man gasped Gratsy's hand.
You've saved me-and the child"
whispered he.
Gratsy nodded. "I told you luck
would change" Then, unlocking the
closet door, he said aloud: Get in
there!"
The man went in with a swift look
of gratitude, and Gratsy closed the
door and locked it on both. Now,
you fellows" he called cheerfully
through the keyhole, you'd better
not begin to break down this door till
after l am out of the house, for If
you do I'll come back and plunk you
full of lead"
And with that Gratsy ran down
the stairs three at a time, let him
self out of the house, and walked
quickly down the street
AS he turned the corner he looked
back at the house and smiled.
'She is an almighty pretty little
kid" said he.
Back to Earth,