The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-03-24
ANGEL
BY EDGAR L

S0S AsSoASs II X4doSCS. "A WIEN GOV
Massey had himself sat in that room
and discussed with Conner the Cryptic
verse that played so strange a part in
the old mans will. He had been in
q way. an honorary member of the
Borough Lot"
Conner continued. He spoke slowly,
waiting for inspiration. A judicious lie
SEPARATION came, and he found his re-
%luctant tongue speaking the truth.
1.-THE money is stored in one safe.
Oh, It's no use looking like that, Tony,
you might just as we'll try to crack
the Bank Of England as that crib. Yes,
he converted every cent Of a million
and three-qaarters into hard, solid cash
bank notes n gold. This he put
into his damned safe. and locked. And
he has left by the terms Of his will a
key.
Conner was a man who did not find
speaking an easy matter. Every word
came slowly and hesitatingly, as
though the speaker Of the story were
loath to part with it.
The key is here" he said slowly.
There was a rustic of eager antici-
patton as he dipped his hand in his
WaistcoaS pocket. When he withdrew
MS fingers, they contained only a slip
of paper carefully folded.
~ a lOCh I'll lllS safe Is OuS Vi
Reale's inventions; it opens to no key
save this" He shook the paper before
them, then lapsed into silence.
why don't you o. open the s a.Ess'e And
what has the gir. to do with it?"
"She also has a key, or will have
tomorrow. And Jimmy"
A laugh interrupted him. Curt
Goyle had been an attentive listener
till Jimmy's name was mentioned, then
his harsh. mirthless laugh broke the
tense silence.
"oh, Lord James is in it, is he? I'm
one that's for ruling Jimmy out" He
got up on his feet and stretched him.
self, keepig his eye fixed on Conner.
IF you want to know why, I'll tell We.
Jimmy's a bit too finicking for my
taste. too fond of the police for my
taste. II we're in this, Jimmy'sf out
of it" n a mutter Of approval broke
from the
Connor's mind was working quickly.
He could do without Jimmy, he could
dispense with the help Of the
Lot" He was just a little afraid of
jimmy. The man was a type Of GRIM
he could not understand. If he
was a rival claimant for Reale's mil
lions, the gang would out Jimmy; so
the better. Massey's removal
had limited the legatees to three.
out Of the way would narrow
the chance of his losing the money still
further; n the other legatee was
In the room upstairs. Goyle's declara-
ton had set loose the tongues of the
men, and he could hear no voice that
spoke for Jimmy. And then a dozen
voices demanded the rest of the story
and amid q dead silence Conner told
story of the will and he puzzle
verse. the solving of which meant a
to every man.
And the girl has got to stand in and
her share. She's too dangerous to
be let loose. There's nigh on two mill
lions at stake and I'm taking no risks.
She shall remain here till the word is
found. We're not going to see her
carry the money OF under our very
=atNI
and Jimmy?" Goyle asked.
Conner fingered a lapel of his coat
He knew what answer the
gang had already framed to the ques-
ton Goyle put. He knew he would be
asked to acQuiesce in the blacklist piece
OF t~reachery that had ever disf1gured
his evil life; but he knew, too. that
Jimmy was hated by the men who
formed this strange fraternity. Jimmy
reward. His cold cynicism was
above their heads. They too feared
him.
Connor cleared his throat.
perhaps If we reasoned"
Goyle and Bat exchanged swift
glances.
ASK him to come and talk it over
tonight" said Goyle carelessly.
"Connor is a long time gone"
Sands turned his unhealthy face to
the company as he spoke.
Three hours had passed since Conner
had left the gang in search for Jimmy.
"Hqll be back soon.'' said Goyle con-
lldent1y. He looked over the assembly
of men. ANY Of you fellers who don't
want to be in this business a TO-"
Then he added significantly. We're
going to settle with Jimmy"
Nobody moved; no man shuddered at
the dreadful suggestion his words con-
veyed.
worth hanging fort" he said ~callously.
He walked t a tall, narrow cupboard
that ran up the side Of the fireplace
and pulled open the door. There was
room for a man to stand inside. The
scrutiny of the interior gave him some
satisfaction.
This is where some one stood"-he
looked m%eantngly at Bat Sands-"when
he koshed Ike Steen-Ike with the DO
lice money in his pocket and ready to
sell every man Jack of YOU"
who's in the next house?" a voice
asked suddenly.
Goyle laughed. He was the virtual
landlord so far as the hiring Of the
house was concerned. He closed the
cupboard door.
mot counting old George. it's
empty" he said. "Listen!"
In the deep silence there came the
faint murmur Of a voice through the
thin walls.
"Talkin' to himself" said Goyle with
a grin: he's daft. and he's as good
as a Waterman for us. for he scares
away the children and women who
would come prying about here. He's
They heard the front door shut quick
ly and the voices of two men in the
passage below.
Goyle sprang to his feet. an evil look
on his face.
"rhat's Jimmy" he whispered hur-
riedly.
AS the feet sounded on the stairs he
walked to where his coal hung and
took something from his pocket. then,
almost as the newcomers entered the