Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-07-01

nave been brought to a speedy conclu-
slon' but as It was the key stuck. The
foremost of those who had been trail.
ing tell upon Steele, but soon drew
back One Of them. unable to repress
groan, held his hand to broken
wrist while from his helpless fingers
knife dropped to the ground.
a pOnderous, hulking fellow about
! six feet three, with shock of req
hair and a thick hanging lip. cursed
loudly. Obviously this one of his as.
sallants possessed immense, unusual
strength.
Let me at him, YER he cried in foul
ana flash tongue, when John Steele
suddenly called him by name, said
something in that selfsame dialect of
PICK purses and their ilk. The rufian
paused. remained stock still.
How the Who the man began.
"Call of your fellowsl" John steele's
voice seemed to thrill. II want to talk
with you. It'll be more worth your
while than any prigging or bagging
you've ever yet done"
well, I'm blowedr' Suspicion
cleaned from the bloodshot eyes
"And you want to talk with met
Here's a gamey cover
II tell you | must talk with you.
I've got a lay better than hooking you
for the dock. AS for the others, they
can go, for all of me-"
"Oh, they canr The big mans face
expressed varying feelings-vague
wonder. At the same time he began to
edge cautiously away. That would
be nice plant, wouldn't it? Let's out
of this, blokies," suddenly. This cove
knows too much, and
Waltz Steele stepped forward. 81
want you, Tom Rogers, and I'm going
to have you. It'll be guilds in your
pocket and not Newgate."
slope for 1t, matesw The big mans
voice rang out. Around the corner in
the direction Of the Thames the burly
figure Of a policeman appeared in the
dim light. That's his little gameg'
and turned.
But John Steele sprang savagely for
ward. You fool! You'll not gel
away so easily" he exclaimed when
one of the others put out foot. L
tripped him. John Steele's head struck
the curb violently
For some moments he lay still; ther
he made out the face of policeman
bending over him.
THAT was a nasty fall you got sir
Fall" John Steele arose, stood
swaying THAT man must not es.
cape. Do you hear-must notY AS
he spoke he made as if to rush for
ward. The other laid steadying fingers
on his arm.
Hold hard a bit. sir" he said. Not
quite yourself Besides. they're well
out of sight now No use running
after"
Steele moved grasped the railing
leading up the front step. His brow
throbbed; thousand darting pains
shot through his brain. But for the
moment these physical pangs were
as nothing. Disappointment, self re-
proach, moved him To have allowed
himself to go down like that-to have
been caught by such a simple trick!
Clumsy clod! And at moment
when
Pardon me, sir" the officer said in
brisker tone, "but hadn't we better
go in? This, l take it. is your house.
You can look after yourself somewhat
and afterward describe your assail-
ants; then well start out to find and
arrest them, if possible"
Steele loosened his hold on the rail
ing. He appeared now to have recov
cred his strength. That's just what
/ don't want you to do My name is
John Steele, You know of me?' And
as the other returned respectful af-
frmatlve, 1T is my desire to escape
any notoriety in this little matter, you
Something passed from
his hand to the policemans.
Walking quickly up the steps, John
Steele opened the door, murmured a
perfunctory Good night" and let him
self in. But as he mounted to his
chambers some of the moments ex-
ultation that had seized him at sight
Of the man revived.
"He has come back. He is herein
l surely can lay hands on
him. must! | will!'
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