The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-05-12

but on two faces at least there was d
broad grin when the object of the little
mans visit was revealed.
He came to burgle Connor," said
Bat admiringly. Here, pass over the
whisky, one of yet"
He forced a little down the mans
thoat, and Mr.. Lane blinked and opened
his eyes In frightened stare.
Stand up" commanded Bat, IAN
give an account of yourself, young ie:-
Ter. What dye mean by breaking into
Never mind about that" Goyle in
terrupted savagely. What has he
heard when he was sneaking outside
that's the question"
| "Nothin', gentlemen!" gasped the un-
fortunate Mr.. Lane, ION me word,
| gentlemen! I've been in trouble like
| yourselves, an"
| He realized he had Numbered.
"Oh," said Goyle with ominous calm,
$50 you've been in trouble like us, have
| your"
| II mean"
II know what you mean," Kissed the
| other; you mean you've been listenin'
| to what we've been saying, you little
skunk, and you're ready to bleat to the
| first copper"
1t might have gone hard with Mr..
i<uhc out LUZ tue OppOTtuIle dTTlVdl OL
| the messenger. Bat went downstairs
at the knock. and the rest stood quietly
listening. They expected Connor, and
when his voice did not sound on the
stairs they looked at one another Ques-
tioningly. Bat came into the room
with a yellow envelope in his hand.
He passed 1t to Goyle. Reading was
not an accomplishment Of his. Goyle
read it with difficulty.
do the best you can," he read. I'm
lying 'doggo.'"
What does that mean?" snarled
Goyle, holding the message in his hand
and looking at Bat. "Hidin', is he-and
we've got to do the best we cam"
Bat reached for his overcoat. He did
not speak as he struggled into 1t, nor
until he had buttoned 1t deliberately.
1T means-git," he said shortly. "It
means run, or else 1t means time, an
wrose than time
He swung round to the door,
"Connor's hidin'," he stopped to say.
When Connor starts hiding the place
Is getting hot There's nothing against
me so far as know, except"
His eyes fell on the form of Mr..
Lane. He had raised himself to a sit
ting position on the floor, and now,
with disheveled hair and outstretched
legs, he sat the picture Of despair
Goyle intercepted the CLAM
What about him?" he asl co
Leave him." said Bat; 'N eve got
no time for fooling with him.
A motor-car came buzzing down
Cawdor street. which was unusual.
They heard the grind of its brakes
outside the door, and that in itself was
sufficiently alarming. Bat extinguished
the light, and cautiously opened the
shutters. He drew back with an oath.
Whats that?" Goyle whispered.
Bat made no reply, and they heard
him open his matchbox.
What are you doing?" whispered
Goyle f1ercely.
Light the lamp" said the other.
The tinkle of glass followed as he
removed the chimney, and in the yell
low light Bat faced the Borough Lot"
Up spells up an that's what the
game Isl he said calmly. He was
searching his pockets as he spoke. 81
want light because there's one or
two things in my pocket that I've got
to burn-quick!"
After some fumbling he found a
paper. He gave 1t a swift examination,
then he struck q match and carefully lit
the corner.
Its the fairest cop" he went on.
"The streets full Of police, and Angel
time"
There was heavy knock on the door,
but nobody moved. Goyle's face had
gone livid. He knew better than any
man there how impossible escape was.
That had been one Of the drawbacks
to the house-the ease with which 1t
could be surrounded. He had pointed
out the fact to Conner before.
Again the knock.
Let 'em open It," said Bat grimly,
and as though the people outside had
heard the invitation, the door crashed
in, and there came a patter as of men
running on the stairs.
First to enter the room was Angel.
He nodded to Bat coolly, then stepped
aside to allow the policemen to follow.
Il want you," he said briefly.
what for?" asked Sands.
Breaking and entering" said the de-
tective. Put out your hands!"
Bat obeyed. AS the steel stirrup-
shaped irons snapped on his wrists he
asked
'Have you got Connor?"
Angel Smiled.
Conner lives to fight another day."
he said quietly.
were busy with the other occupants
of the room.
"Bit Of a field-day for you, Mr.. An
gel" said the thin-faced Lamby pleas
antly. Thought you was goin' to let
US off,"
Jumping at conclusions hastily ia
a habit to be deplored," said Angel SEN
tentiously. Then he saw the panic
stricken Mr.. Lane.
"Hullo, what's this?" he demanded.