Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-06-01


Jocely7, draining his glass and look
ing round at the well-furnished but
rather gaudy room.
The next moment they heard the
sound of key in the lock OF the front
door. Its effect upon the girl was
electrical. She set down her glass
with trembling hands, and looked round .
her in terror 20, what shall do? .
What will you say?" she gasped. ITS .
ALI and he'll kill you. He'll kill you,
Mr.. Jostling. Quick, hide! Any
where!"
But before Jocelyn could even look
round for a refuge q man, heavily !
built, and having Enthusiastically the
appearance Of a prizefghter, came
striding into the room. At the sight
of Jocelyn his brows contracted into a
scowl and he clenched his fists men
acingly.
''Who-who the devil" he began.
Its Jake, Jake McGee," cried the
girl desperately, looking at Jocelyn
sidewise.
The mans brow cleared as if by
magic. He strobe forward and clenched
Jocelyn's hands in a grip that nearly
crushed them.
I'm glad as thunder to meet you,
Mr.. McGee," he said. How did you
find the house?"
He got the address from Barney"
said the girl promptly. He just came
in a second before you did"
Just in from Chicago, eh?"
srrA yHr
promptly.
You know we've changed the meet
ing placer" said the man, turning to
Jocelyn. Its ticklish work, but l
think we've outwittod the cops for
once. But If you hadn't struck Bar
ney, why l don't know how we'd have
got word to you. The inspector swears
it won't be pulled off-but he doesn
know we've got Ellis stable on Thir-
ty-second street"
/ 20, that's where it is?" asked Joce-
Ign, feeling his way in the dark.
Sure Didn't Barney tell you? He
must have been crazy. You won't
feel strange Niece, seeing you'll
have to introduce YOURSELF"
Il suppose there was no other way"
/ Lord Jocelyn answered.
well, let's have a whisky and talk
| things over" said the man, bringing
; out more glasses and a bottle OF
/ Scotch. sit down. You stay here,
] Lizzie; you're in on this deal. Where
did you get that English accent,
friend?"
"I've just come back from a six
months visit to London" said Joce-
lyn, watching the girl intently for
some cue.
The other poked him in the ribs.
"Quit joshing and come to business"
he said. You've bin back q whole
year now and you've had time to get
rid Of it. Honest, MCGEE, you mean
business, don't you? I'd hate like
thunder to hurt you, and I'm in the
pink OF FORM" he added, frowning at
his huge wrists.
81 certainly do mean business" an
swered Lord Jocelyn.
Then don't try any monkey games,
or it'll be the worse for you. It's a
couple OF thousand apiece, share and
share alike, and you're to drop in the
third"
so / understand" answered Lord
Jocelyn. still without a glimmer Of IN
Outstanding.
Then here's luck to both Of u.s.
answered the man, becoming suddenly
hilarious. Barney said / was a fool
to do it-said l could whip you easy
and take the whole amount. and from
the looks OF you l guess he's right;
but ALI Orme never went back on a
deal yet and he amt going to begin
Here's howl" And he drained his
glass, an example which Jocelyn fol
lowed. Then he rose to his feet.
IN have to be going" he said, ap
prehensive that Orme might attempt
to detain him. But to his surprise the
latter agreed.
Best thing you can do" he an
swered Turn in and get a good
nights sleep. And remember, Jake
eight-thirty to the minute at the
stable. and go in through the back Of
the saloon on the other side Of the
block"
He shook him by the hand, but this
time Lord Jocelyn was prepared anC
returned the grip hard enough Il
make ALI Orme vince. AS he passed
out Of the door the woman followed
him.
You'll be there?" she whispered IL
an agitated voice. you won't g
back on me?"
Not If you WISH" answered Lore
, Jocelyn, more mystifed than ever
What is it," he added. "a gambling
gamer"
/. Gambling gamer" she repeated
: scornfully. mo. a prize fight Ant
you're Jake MCGEE and you're goini
to meet ALI Orme for a purse OF fou
: thousand dollars"
; Lord Jocelyn felt decidedly foolisl
at that moment.
"But-won't they know I'm not Nc
Gee?" he faltered.
Not on your life. It's your frs
/. visit to town, and you were unknown
/. until you beat the Barney Kid in Chi
= cago last month and made a reputa
: ton. Nobody here has seen you, am
the things got to be kept mute as tn
a grave because the police have go
. wind OF II. Say" she continued
grasping him by the arm, you won