Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-10-11

was nothing distinctive about him ex-
cept, perhaps, his hair, which was of a
decided reddish hue. He was light of
complexion; his mouth was small and
of a rather womanish appearance, due
to the full red lips. He was well
groomed. well fed; in all ways he was
a typical city bred man. Raising his
brows IN recognition, he nodded pleas
antly to Bait, then, as If on second
thought, excused himself to his COM
panions and stepped toward the other
group.
How do you do, George7 What in
the name of goodness are you doing
here? hardly recognized you"
Marsh's voice was round and musical.
his accent eastern With an assump-
ton Of heartiness, he extended a white
gloved hand, which the big, uncouth
man who faced him refused to take.
The other three had risen. George
seemed to be cropping for a retort
Finally he blurted out hoarsely:
Don't offer me your hand It's
dirty! It's got blood on ftI''
"NonsenseF' Marsh smiled. Lets
be friends again. George. Bygones are
bygones-''
You dirty ratF' breathed the fisher
man.
every well If you wish to be OBJ
stinate"-Willis Marsh shrugged his
shoulders carelessly, although in his
voice there was a metallic note-'T
have nothing to say Mr.. Bait and
I had q business misunderstanding"
he said smoothly to Emerson. which
1 hoped was forgotten. 1t didn't
amount to much
AT this Bait uttered a choking snarl
and stepped forward, only to meet
Boyd. who intercepted him
Behave yourselfP' he ordered.
''Don't make a scene" And before the
big fellow could prevent it he had
linked arms with him and swung him
around. The movement was executed
so naturally that none of the patrons
of the cafe noticed it except perhaps
as a preparation for departure. Marsh
bowed civflly and returned to his seat
Alton Clyde clamored for enlighten-
ment as to the reason for this erup-
ton
THAT is the fellow we VIII have to
fight" Boyd explained HE is the
head of the cannery combination at
Kalvfk and a bitter enemy of
Georges"
Clyde spoke earnestly. "Wen, that
absolutely settles it as far as 1 am
concerned. This Is bound to end in
row."
you mean you don't want to join
usY
Don't want to! Why, I've Just got
to, that's all. The $4,000 is yours
A month had elapsed when Elmer
son at last expressed to George the
discouragement that had lain silently
In both mems minds.
You've played your string out, eh?"
Absolutely. I've done everything
except burglary, but can't raise that
100000. Times are hard, and I've
bled my friends of every dollar they
can spare"
Its an awful big piece of money"
Bait admitted. with a sigh.
81 never fully realized before how
very large" Boyd said. And yet
without that amount the Seattle bank
won't back us for the remainder"
"Oh, it's no use to tackle the bust
ness on a small scale" Big George
pondered. WED ought to be on the
coast now. We're shy SOS. 900, ehr'
yes"
But the clouds were blown away a
few days after when Alton Clyde
threw down twenty-five 81, 900 bills be-
fore Boyd-got from a mysterious
source which he refused to name.
Emerson later met the leading sutton
aside from HIMSELF for Mildred Way
lands hand, parsonage whose exist
ence he felt as a continued menace.
He was visiting Mildred at her home.
Hearing voices outside the library.
the young man asked hurriedly: give
me some time alone with you, my lady.
/ must leave early"
There was time for no more, for
Wayne Wayland entered, followed by
another gentleman at the first sight of
whom Emerson started, while his mind
raced or into a dizzy whirl OF incredu-