The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-01-30
CHATTER VII.

covered from the shock he eX-
pcrienced ut beholding before
- him the man who had in the
old days been his accomplish in many
questionable adventures. No; he had
concluded wrongly. No; he was not
yet free from all the associations Of
the years past-thoSe years which he
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 wrong" he asked.
Nothing"
"Aw, cut It out. Somethin's got you
guessin'. an so don't try to Kid me-"
The released convict looked medi-
tatively ut Red. Then he spoke.
"Red. did you ever do bitT"
''Sure-Joliet.
"And you have been in one of those
rotten holes and still think it's good
gamer
you've weakened-ehT sneered
Red.
'1ve turned square,
you're crazy"
"No: it's only the man who thinks
he can beat the law who's crazy" said
Valentine.
you'd a won out If 1t hadn't been
for that Cotton. who blew on you be
cause you beat him out of n dame"
Valentine turned and clutched him
by the arm.
"You rat. don't you ever speak OF
her again or III murder you" He
threw Red roughly away from him.
Now. get out of here and forget
you know me-"
GOOD God. Jimmyr exclaimed the
other. II wouldn't say anything TO
hurt your feelings. Why. I'd do any.
thing for you; I'd done your bit If
could have. Why, I'd 60 to HI for
you"
evil you turn square with me-?
That's all ! want of you now. Let's
you and / start now and from this
minute on 60 square. If we starve In
the streets. VIII you do that, RedT'
Valentine spoke In intense earnest
ness.
Red hesitated. zone job TO get a
stake and III 80 you." he said eager
ly.
Valentine appreciated the character
istic unwillingness of Red to leave his
lifelong vocation-that of rifling strong
boxes and safes deemed by their man
ufacturers 10 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 foiled by mere mani
mate metal or time locks-rarely, in
deed, when accompanied 10y 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
prised when Red hesitated to leave 1t
for the dubious rewards OF "going
straight"
mo-" answered Valentine; nothing
for me but work from now on-work,
honest work. hard manual labor II
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 specchless for a mo-
ment. Jimmy Valentine. the best man
In the country in his line, had turned
square" Merclful saints! Was the
world coming TO an endi At last he
recovered his ability to talk
He had an inspiration that he
thought might win Valentine over.
might make hl.l come TO his senses.
"What about the coppersy' suggest.
ed Red. Are you dlppy enough to
think they'd let you turn square,
"Yes. Why notT" retorted Valentine
like flash what have they got TO
do with honest menT
Again did Red find cauSe TO actually
doubt the sanity OF his ex confederate.
for here he was overiookihs entirely
IN his childish reasoning the remorse-