Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-21

{ a stable or niles SpeDuAD us NSAH'
Hes happy with one wifeT'
The assistant cashier gave vent to
a burst of gayety at the aStonlshmehl
( of the watchman. who probably would
/ have understood the process Of refor-
nation in any one but Bill Avery.
! But a few minutes elapsed after Val
J entine answered the telephone call be
fore the door opened. and in came
man whose iron gray hair curled be
meath the rim Of his high silk hat
Glaringly bright yellow kid gloves
adorned his hands. bis frock coat OF
/ the latest make. was a bit worn on
the edges, and it was for that reason
! that the secondhand dealer had made
a reduction in price to Nr. Cronin.
The newcomer laid handsome gold
headed Indian bamboo walking stick
/ across a chair. took of his gloves and
faced Valentine and Red.
Mr.. RandaIl?" he said.
Yes. Mr. Cronin."
"Cronin be bowed" cried Red. start
/ ing forward IT'S Bill Avery. How
about you, old pal?"
Avery. pleased at the enthusiastic
welcome and at the sight of both Of
us Oiu 1E4CAuS- SlOOh 49,
each. Then be drew back and looked
from one to the other Think of IA
three bein' left alone together like this
in a real bank" he said significantly,
and his two hearers could not restrain
laughter at the thought Of what the
circumstances would have meant to
them in days now put behind them.
Did you get the picture" asked
Avery of Valentine. You told me TO
send it, but wanted to see you. That
double negative is a wonder"
Valentine looked understandings at
him. He rose from his chair. picked
up the telegram from his desk and
extended 1t to Avery.
yes: it's all right" he said. And
it came Just in time. Today is the
day I'll need it," pointing TO the tele-
gram. Read that
Avery read the message. The pal
lor Of unnerving fear came upon him.
His head dropped forward and he
glanced apprehensively about him.
His hand trembled as he laid the pa
per on the desk. He sank hopelessly
into a chair Doyle" the old man
chOked-"DoyIe. He said he'd slough
NE. anu hO" NC - Op it-Oi CtSC hS II
make me pay blackmail. You never
can tell how much a copper wants for
keepin' quiet"
"Oh. don't get blue" encouraged
Valentine. He doesn't want you fell
lows. It's me that he is after He
examined a large photograph which
Avery had sent him. 1t showed the
tables and guests at a large banquet
in a luxuriously appointed restaurant.
Yes. l think this saves me-" he re-
marked He held it before Red. ask
ing. WHATS this"
''Flashlighr Of 4 banquet
who is this on the right Of the
toaStmaster?" pointing at face in
the picture.
You"
Pipe the date" went on the assist
ant cashier. FEB. 8. 1906 10 you
remember where I was on that date:"
He gazed curiously AZ Red Avery
watched tile proceeding with rare in.
:ereSt
The watchman became thoughtful
Al last a puzzled wrinkle marked his
forehead. "Wby-why-you-w
Sing Sing-prison-on-t
ie teDnee COM CSeuty.
Valentine and Avery laughed in their
superior knowledge.
No. no." protested Valentine. this
photograph proves / was at a ban
quet in ST. Paul. I'll beat Doyle and
I'll make him like it,"
You can't" was Avery's pessimis-
tic comment.
OF A.
any of US. and we all have" was Val
entine's rejoinder. And if we can
beat the thing inside of us that calls
we can beat one man that hunts"
A clerk knocked at the door and en-
tered TO ascertain If he should now
bring in a trayful sf cash which Val
entine was to count. He was ordered
to do so at once. and Averys face be-
came a study as the young man soon
re-entered with a tray on which new
banknotes Of large denominations were
piled among glIstening rows of gold
coin.
Great snakes. what a chance" ex-
claimed the one time thief. looking
from Valentine to the Waterman.
This is no place for me. Oh, Just for
one grab and the quick getaway"
He mopped hts wrinkled brow I'm
sweating like polar bear on the
Fourth OF July"
Haven't got It out of your blood
yet eh:" asked Valentine
Not the craving for real money.
learned TO let the wheat In the grain
elevator alone after a month or two, /
but coarse money like that-woww /
The old man stared fsscinatedIy at
the enticing tray.
well. we watched each other for |
awhile" commented Red. pointing to |
his chief.
"And amt neither of you ever |
snatched even one bundIe?" asked /
Avery incredulously.
NO"
"weH. you better get me out of /
here. I'm going TO have lockjaw in
both hands in minute" He reached
for his hat and stick.
mo. you're not" put in Valentine
Come on. Red" be said. walking TO
the vault room door. I'm going TO