Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-03-28


how the men get here who call on me.
Such man as you describe. however.
did call on me. But that mans ma me
was-er-er"- He crossed Ia his desk.
paused. glanced perplexedly at Doyle
and then reached to the telephone.
II forgot fol, the moment. hut they
likely will know outside. Hello! Do
you recall the name of the last man
who called on me today: No. not Mir.
Doyle: he's here now. Cronin. THAT'S
ii. Thank you" He hung up the re-
ceiver "Cronin." he added. He
came In here short time ago to nego-
tiate loan"
"Cronin!" gasped Doyle. 80 he's
taken new nlonaker. too. has he?
And he came to negotiate loan from
Banker Jimmy Valentine. Well. II
that isn't rich! | do w::sh Warden
Handler could be here today to hear
you pull or this little stunt. always
told him you were too good for the
safe breaking game. You ought to BE-
an actor or a United States senator.
You're wasting your time In this bust.
ness"
II appreciate your compliments. but
i really quite fail to understand you"
Valentine spoke sharply. Your atti-
tude is trying my patience. Mr.. Doyle.
/ am a very busy man. with large re-
sponsibilities. and as this converse
ton is entirely frivolous-frivolous. ]
say-l must regret to fully inform you
that must continue on my days
work" He nodded toward the tray Of
currency. believe me. l am perfectly
willing to Go what any citizen should
do to help spprehend criminal, but
must ask you
"Oh. hi. Valentine, do you think
I've lost my eyesight: You're Jimmy
Valentine. and that was Bill Avery
who called on you. guessed he knew
where you were and had him watched.
and the first trip he made followed
him. Now, cut 1t out and declare
yourself. DO you come. or do get
requisition papers and take you?" HIS
manner became as threatening a. his
words.
You will do neither. and you will
desist from insinuating that am .
criminal or I will cause the Waterman
to eject you from the bank. Further.
l do not know that You are . detec.
tive. Your actions are those Of Q
blackmailer-or"-
A clerk entered. SsfssuI
did you ring. sir ~
"Yes. Kindly remove that curren.
cy." cried Valentine. eying Doyle. $50
many suspicious characters about In
these hard times that one must always
be careful Of strange visitors. partic-
ularly in banking Office"
The clerk cast an apprehensive
glance at Doyle. whose face had
turned red with rage. and. selling the
tray. hurried toward the vault room
with it.
Take it out. take 1t out" command.
ed Valentine. waving his hand. Il
shall take no chances. Now. Mr.. Doyle
either show credentials to prove what
you are or shall telephone the po-
lice"
Doyle. amazed at the efrrontery and
daring assurance Of Jimmy Valentine.
fell back against the wall. his legs
threatening to give way beneath his
heavy body.
"ln the name Of Dan the Dip" he
exclaimed helplessly. If the crooks
were all as slick as you. Jimmy. the
jails would all be empty. You don't
dare do It,"
Jimmy Valentine picked up tho tele-
phone and. getting the central Of the
banks exchange. ordered In no uncer-
tain tones:
Get me police headquarters at
one"
Doyle was further astounded BY the
readiness with which the banning
young man before him had accepted
his challenge to call the police. Was
1t possible. after all. that he had been
mistaken? No. 1t was Jimmy Valen-
tine who stood before him. the same
Jimmy that was wanted by the Mas
sachusetts authorities for that old and
almost forgotten Job in the savings
bank of Springfield. Mass.-$14.O0O
in currency taken on Washington's
birthday night and not mark Of an
instrument or Of an explosive on the
safe when next morning the doorD
were found yawning open. the night
Waterman gagged and bound help
lessly to the metal legs of stationary
washstand in the vice presidents Of
| Zee.
Here. cut that out" be cried. lung
ing forward at Valentine. awaiting .
response to his call. Don't bring any
Of these locals in on big Job like
this" He thrust back his coat and.
opening his vest, revealed shining
shield fastened on one of his suspend
er straps. Valentine bent over and in
spected it very deliberately and very
closely. He turned to the telephone
and instructed central to cOuntermand
, his call-all mistake. The two men
seated themselves. Doyle dra wing q
chair close to the assistant cashiers
desk
every well. sir. Now II you can
see At to refrain from your embarrass.
ing questions and innuendoes am
sure we may arrive at something"
"Of course you know you will have
to prove that you are not Jimmy Val
entine."
Pardon, me. Mr.. Doyle. II I set you
right on point Of law" smiled Val
entine. "You will have to prove that
am your friend. Jimmy Valentine
But you won't make me-" laughing