Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-23

ing figure indicated that prison fare
was not rejuvenating. although there
was a strange sharpness In his eyes.
in his glance, that a long career Of fur
tive watchfulness had developed.
You're finally out, chr greeted the
prison master. You've done miner"
Eight years ten months, SIR"
Treated pretty well, weren't your
Avery gazed intently at Smith, then
he replied TO his questioner:
you've never heard me complain,
have you"
"No. and it wouldn't have got You
much"
81 saw that the first day In"
"Well, now what7 Going to turn
square2" Handler sneered as he spoke.
The released convict looked the ward
en- squarely In the eyes.
You know I am, SIR"
Handler laughed uproarfously.
81 know; they all say so. oh, here's
an old friend Of yours, Avery" The
speaker pointed to Doyle
at don't remember him." replied the
old man after q searching suspicious
inspection of the detective.
"You don't remember mech, Bill7'
Doyle laughed.
Avery suddenly exclaimed:
81 got you now. You're Doyle-still
a "COPPER""
"Still a copper. Bill"
You amt got anything on me to
hold over me when I get out"
That's true, Bill. Anyway. this
time I'm your friend" said the detec-
tive in earnest manner.
Avery threw his head back.
MY friendP' he exclaimed IN aston
| ishment
The warden could barely suppress a
grin.
Eyes; I think I know where I can
get you a pretty good job" went on
Doyle engagingly.
Nobody wants me-" said Avery de-
spondently.
II think can arrange It."
"a job In a laundry. ehY snapped
the ex-prisoner. i've been a wash
woman here"
There are lots of jobs where you
don't have to know a trade. Can't Bill
sit down. wardenr
why, certainly" responded Han
der.
! Avery. voicing his thanks, seated
himself at the warden's table.
Doyle came close to the old man.
There's one thing you want to do,
Bill above everything else-keep out
of bad company" he warned.
Avery hesitated. He glanced from
the detective across to the warden.
I'm getting out Of bad company to-
day." he replied briefly.
Doyle started forward.
yes. and it's a good thing you are,
Tor you're getting away from valen-
tine"
'"valentineP'
EYES," insisted Doyle. 1T doesn't
do you any good to know a man like
that. 1 suppose you know he killed
Cotton so he wouldn't have TO divide
the swag with him" The other shook
his head decisively.
II don't know anything about It."
The detective now spoke sharply.
"And what's he got against your
He sent out word that''-the question
er suddenly shifted-"what message
4 Olu no give you 70 Ldke OUT LO-LO -
| Avery drew back involuntarily.
He didn't give mo any message"
he cried out in positive tones.
Then both the oficials noticed that
the ex-convicrs eyes slowly dropped
/ and became directed TO the floor.
II could do you a good turn-if you
trailed along with me-" suggested the
| detective.
The released criminal brushed aside
the invitation. He rose stihhy from
his chair.
I'm on to you, Doyle. II you're TO
! be my friend know that I've got to
I be a stool pigeon. eh1 Wen. I'm old.
| and I don't know where I'm goin'
/ when ] leave here. But I'll take the
river out there" pointing over his
shoulder with his thumb. "for mine
before play that game. I tell you
the old mans voice rose to an indig-
nant pitch-'its only ny guys like you.
Doyle, that's too lazy or too ignorant
to do their work themselves that has
! TO have stool pigeons on your stan TO
| do your work for you Why. you
couldn't nab q twelve-year-old dip II
| you didn't have some poor nerve bro
ken sucker Of stool to 90 out ahead
and make the Job easy for you"
Both Doyle and the warden. enraged
! at the old man. lunged viciously At
him to wreak vengeance upon him for
his denunciation.
Ito be continued)