The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-03-08


an hour ago." continued the big man
with his back against the door. Who
nred it?"
81 did, said the man on the door.
Where's II now
think our young friend there's
got it, said the captive. Better
search them both"
The policeman stepped forward,
held his own revolver against the pit
OF Bruce's stomach, and slipped the
second weapon from Bruce's pocket
into his own. moments rapid
search satisfied him that neither Of
the two men had other weapons, and
keeping them both still covered. the
policeman backed across the room I'M
til his shoulders struck the hall door
once more.
The man on the floor smiled.
You're q clever man, officer" he
said. I'll see you get promoted for
this. Let me loose and I'll help you
tie these fellows hands. Then you
march them OF to the station and
the janitor and III follow and prefer
charges against them as soon as We
csn wash up."
The policeman hesitated Then he
advanced towards the man on the
floor.
Just a minute, oficer,- said Bruce,
quietly. On the ere OF the greatest
disappointment OF his life he found
himself calm. " Just minute. Hear
what we've got TO say before you un.
tie him. lt'll be worth your while"
He paused and the patrolman
stepped back and leaned against the
door again.
Well. spit II ont. he growled.
May take down my hands,"
asked Bruce I'm dead tired"
Keep EN- up snapped the police
man, and tell US your fairy tale
quick, too"
The big Irishnan at the captive's
head muttered something under his
breath and the fingers Of his appraised
hands twitched. Bruce took note OF
the fingers and suppressed smile.
told you was reporter, ON
GER" he said, and am. My Irish
friend here is stableman over in Long
Island City. Our friend on the floor
here says the gentleman In the bath
room there is the janitor. That's
right Our friend here says he's the
owner Of this apartment and that we
attacked him when he came in. That's
right. too. Now let me ask you a
question. Have you read any Of the
afternoon newspapers?
| seen the Journal" said the big
man with his back against the door.
Did you read about that mans
body In Newtown Creek?"
Sure, rejoined the policeman.
Well" said Bruce. you're In luck.
Our friend here on the floor Is the
murderer. and the Department II give
you about all the credit there Is for
his capture
The policeman did not lower the re.
yolyer, but his eyes fell for an instant
upon the man on the floor. Then he
looked cunningly at Bruce again.
Prove 1t" he said, grufiy. You've
got to show me-"
l can't prove 1t Just at this mo-
ment very WELL" rejoined the younger
man, but there are two things you
can do to keep yourself on the safe
side. First-tie up my friend Nc
Ginnis and myself and leave us here
with these two other friends Of ours.
Don't unite them, of course. Then go
down on the sidewalk and rap for
assistance and then lug US all off to
the station and straighten things out
there. No flaws in that, are there?"
The patroiman grunted.
What's your other lay?'' he asked
Well" replied Bruce. my paper
naturally wants to have this story ex-
clusively-they want a beat on all
the others, you know-and the paper
will undoubtedly be willing to pay you
something II you'll not arrest any Of
us before our last edition goes to
press-that is, about three o'clock to-
,tvrx
and go downstairs and call up the
Office on the phone and make a dicker
with them. Then you'll get the credit
for the arrest and some ready cash,
besides"
The expression on the blue-coated
mans face changed.
How much?" he asked.
The man on the floor moved slightly.
can't tell you exactly" replied
Bruce. Perhaps ten dollars; per-
haps more"
The big man in blue gave a snort
of disgust
Say. young Teller" he burst out,
I'm not in the chicken-feedsbusine
can pick tenners of the trees. I
guess I'll take the four of you off to
the cooler now"
Wait minute, me lad" broke in
McGinnis If / know anything about
this high finance, it's ringer me
frind's sheet'll give yer fifty anyway,
maybe a hundred. maybe more"
The big man with his back against
\ the door took step forward
Why?" said he.
His eyes had in them new look.
/ Because" the Irishman replied,
this Is big thing. bigger than yer
| think it is, me buckle. It's one of the
l biggest things that's come down the
/ pike since the year of the Big Wind"
/ I'm listening" said the policeman.
Why is it such a big thing?"
Because this ornamint Of his sex
here" rejoined McGinnis. is rich
mans pride and joy"
His only son and heir" broke in
/ Bruce
| The man on the floor kept his eyes
fastened on the policemans face.
A multi-millionaire's only son and
heir" he added, significantly
1 The patrolman wiped the back of
/ his left hand across his mouth
! For moment no one spoke. Then
4 voice broke the silence. 1t was
voice nlayinR with desperate elOuuenca