The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1910-08-13
CHAPTER XIV.
THE LAST SHIFT.


T<HE candle burned low. 1t threw
now on grimy floor and wall
shadows of two men, one seat
ed at the table, the other not
far. from it. Before John Steele lay
paper and ink. procured from some
niche.
''Where were you on. the night this
woman, Amy Gerard, was found
dead?" -.
A momentary expression Of surprise,
Of alarm, crossed the bruised and bat
tered face. 1t was succeeded by an
angry suspicion that glowed from the
evil eyes. you're not trying to fix!
that job on .
"You? No.
''Then what did you follow him here
for-to pump me? The Yankee that
got transported is
GAS alive as when he stepped before
you in the ringw -.
"Alive?" The fellow stared. He
looked at Steele closer. ''Blame If
there isn't something about you that
puzzles me-" he said.
II represent him-the Yankee"
''Well, he got good one. You know
how to use your fists. mister"
Better than this Frisco Pet did
once, Ell, Tom?" The man frowned.
"But to return to the subject in hand.
That question you seemed afraid to
answer just now was superhuous. |
know where you were the night the
woman was shot,
John Steele leaned forward and said
something softly.
How'd you find that. out?' asked
the man.
THE Frisco Pet knew where you
were all the time, but did not speak
because he did not wish to get you
into trouble, also because he did not
know then what he long afterward
learned indirectly-that you could have
cleared himv'
Indirectly? I? What do you
Through your once having dropped
few words. Wine in. wits out"
The fellow edged his chair closer.
| keep where you are!' John Steele's
hand touched the revolver now on the
table before him. Even as he did so
the room seemed to sway, and it was
only by a strong effort of will he kept
| his attention on the matter in hand
and fought down the dizziness. ''And
let's get through with this! 1 don't
! f0 ro110h ~ f3roo
on you.'' &c.
you're sure nothing will happen to
me IT, The man watched him closer.
This paper need never be made
public, but it might be useful In Ger
tain contingencies"
"And what am to get If do what
*you"-:' II -. .: -:
.>"You shall have funds to take you
out Of the country; the alternative.'
he bent forward, "about fifteen years
If the traps
The fellow pondered. At last he
answered. For a few minutes then
John Steele wrote, looking up between
words. His head bent now closer to
the paper, then drew back from it, as
II through slight uncertainty Of vi
/ sion or because of the dim light The
fellows eyes, watching him, lowered.
'You know-none better-that or
that particular night some one else
some one besides the Frisco Pet, en-
tered your mothers house?''
Oaths mingled with low flchers
slang, but the reply was forthcoming
Other questions, too. were answered
tentatively, sometimes at length, will
repulsive fullness Of detail.
''Yon. can state Of your own knowl
edge what happened nextY Joh1
Steele spoke sharply. The fellows rex
brows suddenly lifted.
"Oh, yes" he replied readily.
John Steele's manner became short
er. His questions were put fast. Fl,
! forced quick replies. He not onl.
seemed striving to get through hi
task as soon as possible, but always t,
hold the others attention, to permi
his brain no chance to wander from
the subject to: any other. But the fe]
low seemed now to have become a
| EdCLdUl0 as UClOI0 lie udu Do0u SullcQ
stubborn; gave his version in his owl
vernacular, always keenly attentive
observant Of the others every motion
His strength had apparently returned
He seemed little the worse for his lat
encounter. At length came an inter
val. Just for an instant John Steele
eyes shut. The fingers that had he'll,
the pen closed on the edge of the ia
BILE. A quick passing expression o
ferocity lowered at the corners Of tn
observers thick lips. He got up. 4
the same time John Steele rose an,
stepped abruptly back. \
"You. know how to, write you
name?" His voice was firm, unwave1
ing. The revolver had disappears
from the table and lay now in hi
pocket. ~ - -, 49,. ~
"Al right, gov'nerv' The othe
: spoke with alacrity. ''I'm game.
bargain is bargain, and I'll take you
word for IT, leaning over and labor