The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-04-19
CHAPTER XII.
Iron Nerve.

Iron Nerve.
Just stood in the doorway, staring.
Couldn't say a word, my throat was
that paralyzed. First time, you know,
I'd ever seen real burglar or jolly
hold-up man, and he locked so differ
ent from what 1 had expected.
But l knew now, of course, that the
policeman was right and that the re-
spectable-looking old gentleman was
no other than the desperate criminal
described as Foxy Grandpa" But
for the Intervention of outside assist
ance doubtless Billings and 1 might
have had our throats cut by the con-
scienceless old geezer.
He was so absorbed that he did not
see me, nor the two helmets piking
above my shoulder.
up to his old tricks" O'Keefe
whispered. We've got him in the
act, Tim!"
Great" breathed Tim. What
won't the captain say!"
O'Keefe's breath tickled my ear
again and swept my nose. I've never
seen beer or sauerkraut since but
what l think Of it!
"Got your stick ready?" he was say.
ing. "Best not take any chances;
Braxtons quick shooter, they say.
When we jump him, better give him
the club right off,"
Tim whispered an impatient demur.
That's all right; but I'm for coaXing
him out here first. I don't want to
tap him on the gentleman's rugs; II
l do, 1 can tell you, it'll ruin 'em,
that's ALL
He swept his hand across his
tongue and gripped his stick tighter,
Jenkins, at one side, bobbed his
head up and down and smiled his ad-
miration Of this sentiment. He leaned
nearer to me.
"Just beckon him out, SIR his whis-
per advised. Just tell him you want
to show him something in the hall
cat, or anything will do. Just so you
get him past the furniture and rugs,
sir"
I advanced a step into the room. l
expected the old knave to be bit
dashed, don't you know. Not he; 1t
never disquieted him a bit. Just gave
me a careless leer and went back td
the ruby. Somehow l began to feel
riled. I'm not often taken that way,
but this old scamp's persistent au-
dacity and impudence went beyond
anything I had ever heard of.
What in thunder's the matter with
you, SOM" he murmured, squirting
hideously at the jewel. You proWl
around like you had pain" Then
he went right on:
'Say, did you ever see anything 30
corking fine?" He looked up, holding
the ruby in the light And to think
how little dreamed CT scooping any.
thing like that when came in here
tonight"
BY Jove, this was a little too mucn,
even for an easy-going chap like my
self! The jolly worm will turn, you
know
Dash me, before I knew what l was
doing even, I had moved to his side
and jerked the ruby from his hand.
My face felt like a hot-water bottle as
[ did it.
You haven't got it yet," 1 said,
"and I'll take devilish good care you
don't get it."
He fell back as though from a blow.
"Why-why, old chap! Why, Light
NUT" he gasped. Whats the mat
ter-what makes you look at me like
that?"
your liberties have gone just bit
too far, don't you know" l said, look
ing steadily in his fshy old eye. I've
had enough Of you, by Jove, that's
ALL"
He stared at me, and 1 could hear
him breathing like blacksmith's bel
lows. 1 would never have thought he
had such lungs.
Slowly his hand came out, and dash
me If it wasn't shaking like he had
the delirium what's-its-name But for
his tan, his face would have been as
white as his hypocritical old whiskers.
"Is this some Internal joke?" His
face summoned sickly smile that al
most instantly faded His hand fell
back to his side. why, old fellow,
you don't think that way about me, do
you? AS for the ruby, II don't want
it now-I just want you to- accept my
apology for anything I've done. and