The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1913-02-13

q lot Of money. but II Dick thinks it's
too dirty for US to touch why, I'm
with him. You can count me out
He put On his hat and started toward
the door
Just minute" said Grand. Il
don't intend to let you go until you've
heard all | have to say"
Get out of the way. G md" said
the pickpocket. his fingers clinched
There's only one way to handle
swine Of your breed" sneered Grand.
and that 10 with club Now well
indulge in little plain talk. You arc
a couple OF low down sneak thieves.
both of you or the
Hold on. Grand" snapped Dick.
None OF that"
.'Of the two. Ernie is the lower You
miserable. misshapen scoundrel. you
are worse than the vilest thief that
ever lived, Dick is an angel COM
pared"
I'll get you for that" quavered
Dick, 80 shaken by rage that he could
oSdICtig uOlu ulHbeil erect
No you won't" shouted Ernie iii
get him. I'll cut his heart OUT"
Grand reached out with his left
hand and touched button in the wall.
In the other hand cleaned revolver.
IF press either the button or the
trigger 1t will mean the end of you.
you dogs. Now. listen to me. At the
foot of the stairs are two policemen
and a couple OF detectives. They are
duped into coming here by the word
that q sucker was to be feeced In
Broadso's rooms tonight have moth
ing to do but to turn you over to them
a. couple of thieves who came, here
to rob me-"
I'm no thief" shouted Ernie Dick
was looking about like rat In trap.
You fellows are to carry out plan
l have for landing Braddock The po-
lice will"
"11l see you hanged first!" grated
Dick Cronk.
Don't let him call the police. Dick"
whined Ernie. I'm no thief. l won't
go to jail! l won't! Let me go! Keep
Dick here. but let me out. Dick will
help you. honest he will. I'm no thief.
You wouldn't send me to jail?"
oh. | wouldn't. eh!" snarled the
other. You'll look fine in stripes. you
Will. And nothing under the sun can
save you II | push this button. Ten
years. that's what It will be- The Cronk
brothers! The sick brothers.! Why. .
Htp ho Fall
will please your brother. after all
these years, to see you doing time
Here! Drop that. curse you"
There was a deafening report. .
binding flash and a cloud of smoke.
Then gurgling groan. the scrapinG
Of heavy body against the wall and
Colonel Grand slid to the floor. his
arms and legs writhing in the last
tremendous spasm Of death.
Neither Of the Cronks moved for q
full half minute. They gazed as II
supefied at the bloody face OF the
great gambler; they saw his legs stiff
fen and his chest swell widely and
then collapse.
Give me the key" 1t was q whis-
pered shrek that leaped from the lips
Of the hunchback. Good God. he's
dead! They'll hang u.s."
He sprang to Dicks side and snatch.
ed the door key from his stiff fingers.
AS he leaped toward the door through
the powder smoke he stumbled over
the body of the dead man. He crashed
to the floor. but was up again in
/ flash. gasping. groaning with terror.
An instant later he was In the hall.
Like a cat he sped past the still closed
doorways beyond and reached tho
stairway before a human being ap
peared in sight
Halfway downstairs he met men
rushing upward, attracted by the pistol
shot. He actually tried to clear their
heads In frantic leap He was caught
in the air. struggling and kicking fu-
riously, to be borne down and held by
strong arms. Shrieking with rage and
terror, he fought like a wildcat
"T didn't do it," she screamed, over
and over again. foaming at the mouth.
1T wasn't me! It wasn't me! oh. God!
Oh. Cod"
Some one struck him a violent blow
on the mouth. The foam was red from
that time on. In the hallway above
there were shouts and the sounds OF
rushing footsteps. Loud oaths of
amusement came ringing down the
corridor. A man in his shirt sleeves
appeared at the top Of the stairs. his
face livid with excitement.
Hang on to him!" he shouted.
Don't let him get away. We've got
the other one!"
What's the matter up there?" grunt
ed one of the two officers holding Er-
ME. whose feet we're now braced
against the steps in the effort to keep
them from dragging him upward.
81 didn't do it," he painted between
his teeth.
Search me, See II l have a re-
--,-. = poyor 20 rrv a 11fn Dick al.