The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1911-02-08


was endeavoring TO forget
"Hello. Red" he finally addressed
Flanagan. Come out from behind
the curtain The coast is clear for
you. How did you know was hereT'
Red came forth. "Oh. leave it TO
me, Jimmy, to keep track of an old
pal" He held out his hand. which
Valentine listlessly shook.
Red could not understand his for
mer companions Indifferent manner.
whats wrongT he asked.
Nothing"
Jaw. cut 1t out. Sometimes got you
guessin'. an so don't try to kid me-"
The released convict looked medi-
tatively at Red. Then he spoke.
RED. did you ever do a bitP"
"Sure-Joliet."
"And you have been in one of those
rotten holes and still think it's a good
gamer"
you've weakened-eh?" sneered
Red
'I've turned square,"
you're crazy"
mo; it's only the man who thinks
he can beat the law who's crazy" said
Valentine.
YOU'D a won out if It hadn't been
for that Cotton, who blew on you be-
cause you beat him out of a dame"
Valentine turned and clutched him
by the arm
"YOu rat. don't you ever speak of
her again or I'll murder you" He
threw Red roughly away from him.
Now. get out Of here and forget
you know me-"
Good God. Jimmy" exclaimed the
other. II wouldn't say anything to
hurt your feelings. Why, I'd do any
thing for you; I'd a done your bit If
could have Why, I'd go to hi for
you"
"Will you turn square with me?
That's all want Of you now. Let's
you and I start now and from this
minute on go square. If we starve in
the streets. Will you do that, RedY'
Valentine spoke in intense earnest.
ness.
Red hesitated. "One job to get
stake and I'll go you" he said eager
ly.
Valentine appreciated the character
lstic unwillingness of Red to leave his |
lifelong vocation-that of rifling strong |
boxes and safes deemed by their man.
ufacturers TO be fire and burglar |
proof" True, the flames were some |
times foiled by the thicknesses of met. |
al and asbestos, but rarely had Red |
Flanagan been foifed by mere mani. |
mate metal or time locks-rarely, in.
deed when accompanied by No. 1889, |
the man who, as Warden Handler de, |
scribed him, opened safes solely by |
the sense of touch. Valentine knew
the hold that the unlawful life he,
too. had followed invariably secured
on its votaries. and he was not sur
prlsed when Red hesitated to leave II
for the dubious rewards of going
straight"
e "No," answered Valentine; nothing
for me but work from now on-work,
honest work, hard manual labor IL
necessary. I've quit the old game for
keeps, Red"
Red. plainly nonplused at this revo-
lutiOnary change of heart in his for
mer pal" stood speechless for a mo
ment Jimmy Valentine, the best man
In the country in his line, had turned
square" Merciful saints! Was the
world coming to an end? At last he
recovered his ability to talk.
He had an inspiration that he
thought might win Valentine over.
might make him come TO his senses.
what about the coppers?" suggest
ed Red. Are you dippy enough to
think they'd let you turn squareT
"Yes. Why notT retorted Valentine
like fash. what have they got to
do with honest menT
Again did Red lind cause TO actually
doubt the sanity Of his ex-confederate.
for here he was overlooking entirely
In his childish reasoning the remorse-
less. dismal certainty that the detec-
tives would force him TO peach" on
his old pals or any one else In the un.
derworld OF whom he could obtain In
desired by the police. In
short Valentine had overlooked the
stool pigeon game" the despair OF
every crook who had ever trisd to "go
straight"
Jaw, don't kid yourself" warned
Red The copper u let you be square
you're a stool pigeon. II you tip on
Id pals. No other way" |,
"Absurdl How. for instance. could 4
hey no msY' II
"Ahsusd shJ What Ahsat Kid