The L'Anse sentinel., 1911-03-04

dors were. opportuneiy deserted anu
1.-The noise of the elevator aud Of the
fstreet cars outside would dull the
sound Of the bulldogs bark.
Another step; he raised the weapon;
his foreHnger began to tighten on the
trigger. But Valentines keen ear
caught the sound Of the creak Of Av-
ery's stiffening elbow joint as II
Strengthened Wheeling with his old
time alacrity, the ex-convict saw his
danger, struck down the frearm with
his powerful left hand and wrested II
from his would be assailant's grasp.
He broke the WEAPON open and saw
that all the chambers were loaded.
Swapping 1t shut, he thrust it into his
pocket and hurled the now cringing
Avery from him to the fioor.
"You fool!' sneered Valentine. Get
up and be a man"
The former prison mate Of his con-
queror stiffiy regained his feet
"IIl kin him-Ill kill him yety' he
exclaimed to Red. who had followed
him from behind the curtain.
TOO bad you didn't get him."
growled Red disgustedly.
Valentine. however. cut short their
talk by warning them Of their loud
tones. At his procurement that
they were both crazy Red reminded
him of what be had told him about
the detecylSes and their stool pigeons.
''It was Z lie. too" put in Avery.
II never stuck that old man up. I'm
talking eblthe level"
IT knew Doyle was lying" answered
Valentine reassuringly. "It's a hard
game we're up against"
Red agreed with the speaker.
swell, now. maybe you believe that
It amt so easy to turn square. Listen,
Jimmy. Avery and me have got job
worked out. We know every twist
and turn Of the joint I've prowled 1t
twice. We were going to use the
SOUP" He showed bottle. See. old
nitroglycerin. but we heard you were
going to be sprung. and we waited.
You can grab that gopher tonight, and
you can bet with us outside no one can
get to you"
Red and Avery eyed him anxiously.
expectantly.
''I've opened my last safe. Red"
was the calm rejoinder.
$50 you're going to work. eh with
q copper at your heelsY' snarled Red
"Pm going to work. and won't be
a stool pigeon"
You're going to give up the game.
q graft like you got-you. with your
I'm done"
well what in heavens name got
tt-it's woman
II have met decent girl, Red. the
kind | knew as a boy-my sisters
kind. 1t was she who got me out Of
that hole at Sing Sing. and have
promised myself
"You don't think she or her folks
would stand for you. do your
IF was on the level she just
might"
with a copper telling lies about
you to her folks unless you delivered
me or Red?" interpolated old Avery
Jimmy for Gods sake don't 60
against that straight girl game It'll
only break your heart. then whatT
asked Red earnestly.
The released prisoner was thought
ful moment
1--WE thought It out" he finally said
"She'll be back any minute and I'm
going her way. boys. Yes, and II |
do there's a chance that I may win
her some day and be able to take her
to my old home and my father and
mother. who haven't heard Of ME for
years. They didn't seem quite to un-
derstand me when was lad. boys.
nor them. but | can see now that
they meant all right by me. I've
learned II all from this girl. though
she's almost a complete stranger to
me-
Valentines voice began to waver.
and he inclined his face to one side
to hide. the evidences of the emotion
that threatened to overwhelm him.
To Red Flanagan and Bill Avery the
situation was trying one. desperate
indeed One Of them was all toe
young and inexperienced to execute
alone the delicate. sure. nerve rackinp
inside" job Of safe iooting sortle.
the other was too old and feeble for
anything but berth as outside"
man. to detect approaching danger and
give due warning thereof. They ab-
solutely required the partnership of
Jimmy Valentine.
Yet here was Valentine. as Avery
described him in reproachful whis-
per tosRed: Here be is. crazy stuck
on skirt. an him tn only man in
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