Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-07-11

taflly nelu 0lu.
"Oh. I'm alouei There are no police
outside" He spoke in the dialect Of
the plckpurse and magsman. To
prove IT, John Steele stopped and lock-
ed the door
The small bloodshot eyes lighted
with wonder The heavy british jaws
began to harden. "AloneT
The other tossed the key. 1t fell at
the mans feet. John Steele walked
over to the opposite door and shot a
heavy bolt there. Looks as II 1t
would hold" he said In thieves argot
as he turned around.
"Are We gabyg" The red headed
giant stared ominously at him.
ION the contrary" coolly. II know
very we'll what | am doing"
A question interlarded with oaths
burst from the others throat. John
Steele regarded the man quietly. 81
should think It apparent what
want! he answered. As he spoke
he sat down "It Is you" bending his
bright. resolute eyes on the other.
"And you've come aloneT He drew
up bis ponuefOuS Iorm.
John Steele smiled. 81 assure you
welcomed the opportunity"
"Do YOU know what am going to
do to you?"
81 haven't any curiosity" still cling
ing TO thieves jargon or st. Giles
Greek "But I'm sure you won't play
me the trick you did the last time
saw you"
The fellow shot his head near.
You're the swell cove who wanted
to palaver that night when
"You tried to rob me-" John Steele
laughed do you know the penalty
for attempting that game. Tom Rog.
ers. alias Tom o'-the- Road. allas"-
The man fell back. "Who are you?
BY ~ he said
"John Steele"
"John SteeleT' The bloodshot eyes
became slightly vacuous. THE -
Then you used him" indicating saw
agely the entrance at the back. 'for
a duck to uncover? I'll burke you for
thatr
John Steele did not stir. "How?
With the lead or
The fellow lifted his hairy fists.
"ThOse are all ~
"In that case"- Steele took the weap-
on on which his hand had rested from
his pocket. and. rising with alacrity.
he placed it on a rickety stand behind
hin-''you have me little outclussed.
About seventeen stone, should take
1t. barely turn thirteen myself
However" tossing his coat in the cor
ner, you look little soft-hardly up
to what you were when you got the
belt for the heavyweight champion
ship. Do you remember? The Frisco
Pet went against you. but he was only
a low, ignorant sailor and had let him
self get out of form. You beat him
beat him"-John Steele's eyes glitter
ed; he touched the other on the arm
Though he fought seventeen good
rounds You stamped the heart out
of him, Tom
The red headed giants arms fell to
his side. "HOw do you
II was there!" An odd smile cross
ed Steele's determined lips. Lost a
little money on That battle Recall the
fourteenth round? He nearly had
you. but you played safe in the fif-
teenth. and then-you sent him down
down" John Steele's voice died
away. 1T was a long time before he
got up" he added. almost absently.
"You know all that?"
"And all the rest!'
See here. what's your little game?
Straight now, quick! You come here
without the police Why?"
John Steele's reply was to the point
He stated exactly what he wanted
and what he meant that the other
should give him AS the fellow heard
he hreathed harder He held himself
in with difficulty.
"And so rhnta what you've come for
misterF he said. hUHrSP guffaw fall
ing from the rOarse lips. John Steele
answered quietly. And you think
there Is any chance Of your getting
IT. May be asking" with an evil
grin. how you expect to make me,
Tom Rogers" bringing down his great
fist. "do your blddingT'
lin the first plnce. by assuring yOn
no harm shall come TO you. 1t is In
my power TO avert that in case you
In the second place. you
will be given enough sOvereigns to-"
"Quids. ehi Let me have sight OF
them mister We might talk better"
DO you think I'd bring them here,
Tom-o'-the- Road? No. no." brusquely
"ThHt settles IT,"
"ln giving you your choice OF doing |
whnl | ask or Of being turned over to
the traps
'"The trapsr' The other fellows
face he"ame contorted. "You mean
hat you
"will give you up for that little Job
Unless
For answer the man launched his
luge body forward. with fierce swing
ng fists He beat. rushed, strove to
lose. His opponents 1.-THE body evad-
NJ a clutch that might have ended the
contest
The other came at him, muttering.
rhe mill was unduly prolonging itself.
lie would end 1t. His fist struck at
hat face so elusive, but crashed
lgafnst the wall. Like q hash Steele's