The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1911-04-13


noon-he'd know he had me-"
Never thought. I'd have ducked."
commented Red And now he'll turn
me up too. I'm going" He fingered
his hat nervously.
You're not. He don't want you.
and if you stay where you belong he
won't see YOU"
Red nodded his head decisively.
"Ill stay closer to the bank than an
emigrant to his tag. And you. jim
my?"
Valentine smiled as the other lapsed
of in his excitement into using his old
name.
Jimmy: How natural that sounds,
Red.' he said reminiscently
Excuse me. l meant Mr.. Ran
dall.'" protestingly.
NO: it's all right, only don't by
any chance use it before Doyle, be-
cause I'm going to alibi Doyle until
he'll think he's lost his eyesight.'
"Alibi:". repeated Red curiously.
1--WE heard O that before
"Alibi. that's it, Red" replied Val
entine.1 And he continued rapidly:
You haven't forgotten the one great
est refuge of the crook, have you
our old friend the alibi? Something
which proves you were not where you
were when something happened.
was never Jimmy Valentine, Red. l
was never in Sing Sing. I've been
straight all my life and can prove it.
I've been waiting for Mr.. Doyle near
ly three years. and I've got him beat.
never did that job in Springfield,
Massachusetts. l was never there in
my life. And if I've got to use the
crooks tools to beat it I'm justified
I'm living straight and I'm going to,
He took scrapbook from drawer
and opened it. Look at that. For
five years you will find clippings of
Lee Randall when he lived in St Paul
That man was my cousin. He went to
Alaska and never came back. My
name is also Lee Randall, and l defy
Doyle to prove he ever saw me-
the long speech lie had delivered at
top speed. leaned back and gaZed tri-
umphantly at Flanagan. The latter
stared amazedly at the assistant cash
Ter. trying to guess as to whether or
not he was telling the truth. Well.
there was a scrapbOok. That would
afford ready means Of proving VaIen-
tines words. Red picked up the book
and swiftly skinned the pages. His
attention was held by one of the clip
pings. He read aloud:
''St. Paul News. March IL, 19O6-The
speaker Of the evening was Mr.. Lee
Randall His subject was
Look at that other one" interrupt
ed Valentine. pointing. See how they
join up with the day ! came here
And Avery has sent me something
that will make MIR. Doyle's eyes blinl,
like an owl"
Red laughed grimly. The telephone
bell rang.
avery: Did you say Avery?" asked
Red.
EYES," picking up the receiver.
Then to the operator: Yes. send Mr..
Cronin right in. There's friend of
his here who wants to see him." He
looked significantly across Mt Red.
Flanagan glanced around the room.
then at Valentine. Say" he begun,
"Tm the only one here in the room
except you. and l don't want to see
any Mr.. Cronin.' Don't know him.
Who Is he:"
Mr.. Cronin," responded Valentine.
'is the man who is going to save you
and me from going back to state pris-
on"
Valentine went on to recount to Red
how Bill Avery. after he had said
goodby to his pals" in Albany. had
gone to the middle west and eventual,
iy married sedate widow of middle
age, whose son was an expert photog-
rapher. one who operated large stu
do In ST. Louis and employed men
who specialized in covering important
events for the newspapers and maya
zines.
avery" calculated Red. avery
g-absolutely on the square,
truth" laughed Valentine whimsicaly.
But you say Blll-Blll Avery Is
married?" asked Red. completely over
come mt the suggestion.
Ives. it's all true. and Bill has
proved true friend to me-to u.s.
answered Valentine.
"And he's really happy?" went on
Red doubtingly. Him as always had
a stable of FLIES spendin' his coin.
He's happy with one wife,
The assistant cashier gave vent to
a burst of gayety at the astonishment
Of the Waterman. Who probably would
have understood the process of refor-
nation in any one but Bill Avery.
But few minutes elapsed after Val
entine answered the telephone call be-
fore the door opened. and in came
man whose iron gray hair curled be
meath the rim of his high silk hat
Ia ,s, s~h LII ri