The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-06-21
CHAPTER Xxxlll.

A man stood In one of the windows,
his figure conspicuous against the
night in cool white linen of a semi
military cut, his extended right hand
training a revolver on the Irishman's
head.
Faith" cried ORourke with genu-
inc relief, you're more welcome than
snowfall in Hades. Good evening to
ye, and many of them"
Hands up!"
with all the pleasure in the world"
O'Rourke elevated his hands. I've
two revolvers on me person." he vol
unteered amiably; before ye go any
further yen be wanting to take 'em
away from me, I'm not doubling"
From what see, quite believe
shall" agreed the Englishman, with
out relaxing his unprejudiced attitude.
AT all events, keep your hands where
they are, for the time being. g.
What the deuce does this mean?"
Tell me yourself and I'll make ye
a handsome present" returned the
O'Rourke composedly. I've been ad-
ding me wits over it for the last
thirty minutes, but neither rhyme nor
reason can l read into it. But, see
now: would ye mind relieving mes sof
the arsenal I've been telling ye about,
that may rest me arms without fear
of being punctured?"
The other laughed shortly and en-
tered the room-a clean-limbed,
sturdy, well set-up boy of four or five
and-twenty, or thereabouts. He pos
sessed, aside from an emphatic and
capable manner. good looks enhanced
by a wide good-humored mouth.
'You might help me out a bit, you
know" said the boy briskly. You've
been so free with your information
that / don't doubt you will place me
still further under obligation to you
by turning your back and depositing
your weapons on that table. OF course,
| needn't bore you by remarks upon
the folly of false moves"
"'Twould be quite superfuous," re-
piled O'Rourke, obeying with a fair
anu easy EIdIGs LhGlO hOWs W AeAS
else may be your pleasure?"
Move back three PAGES and stand
still"
"Right.O, me lord"
ORourke executed the prescribed
evolution and, at rest, heard footsteps
behind him; a thought later he felt
the Englishmans hands rapidly going
through his pockets. Then, with a
very good" the latter stepped be-
tween the table ana oRourke and
faced him.
You've apparently told the truth
thus far" he said. Now what'dyou
know about this?" He waved hand
round the room. BE careful what
you say. may as well inform you
I'm Couch, lieutenant sub-chief OF
police for this district"
Saint Patrick would be no more
welcome" declared o'Rourke. Il was
on the point Of trying to get ye by
telephone when ye saved me the trou-
BILE. How the diVvle did ye happen
70 drop in so oppOrtunely?"
Il was coming upstream in the po-
lice launch, on the night tour of in
spection, and stopped at the landing
just below this-the grounds here run
down to the river. you know-to tele-
phone back to headquarters on busi-
ness. The exchange operator suggest
ed look IN here and see If everything |
was all right-said he'd been unable
to get any response SINCE nightfall
Now?"
Carefully and concisely O'Rourke
wove the events of the day into a
straight narrative, starting with the
delivery to Sypher of the Pool of
Flame. touching briefly upon Des Ire
bes' part-so far as he understood 1t
and concluding with the death of
The coolie. The sub-chief of police
eyed him throughout with gravely I
interest nodding his
4 see" he said slowly. You make
t clear enough. Moreover, you've
convinced me- didn't really believe
rom the first you'd had any hand in