The San Francisco call., 1913-09-18
Continued From Yesterday
CHAPTER vIII-Continued

AT the words an instantaneous
change swept over Carson. Hitherto
he had been tense. his face set with
emotion. a man strong and sullen,
with eyes as clear and heartless as
those Of a beast in the wild. Now,
without warning. q startling trans
formation was wrought His form
stiffened to rigidity after one light
ming swift step forward. and his face
grayed. The eyes glowed with the
fires OF mans heart in a spasn OF
hate. He was the embodiment of
rage. as he spoke huskily. his voice
a whisper that was yet louder than
any shout.
.Cut that"
The eyes of the two men locked.
Cassidy struggled with all his pride
against the dominant fury this man
hurled on him.
"What?" he demanded. blusteringly.
But his tone was weaker than his
won't.
I mean,r Carson repeated. and
there was finality in his accents, a
deadly quality that was appalling. I
mean, cut Ii out-now, here, and all
the timel It don't goi The voice
rose slightly. The effect of it was
more penetrant than scream. 1T
1 don't gol DO you get me?@
There was a short interval OF
silence. then the officers eyes at last
| fell 1t was Aggie who relieved the
/ tension of the scene.
Hes got you" she remarked. airily,
1 "Oi. OF. He's got your
There was again a few seconds of
pause, and then Cassidy made an OBJ
servation that revealed in some meas
ure the shock OF the experience he
had just undergone.
Joe, II it hadn't been for that temper
once or twice already. Some time It's
likely to prove your finish
Carson relaxed his immobility. and
a little color crept into his cheeks
That's my business he responded,
duly
Anyway, the officer went on, with
new confidence, now that his eyes
We're free from the gaze that had
burned into his soul. you've got to
clear out, the whole gang Of you-and
do it quick"
Aggie. who as matter of fact be-
gan to feel that she was not receiving
her due share of attention. now In
terposed, moving forward till her face
was close to the detectives.
I'VE don't scare worth cent she
snapped, with the virulence Of a
vixen. you can't do anything to us.
We amt broke the law There came
a sudden ripple of laughter, and the
charming lips curved joyously. as she
added Though perhaps we have
bent IT a bit"
Cassidy sneered. OUTRAGED by such
fnpudence on the part of an ex-eon-
Wet.
"Don't make no difference what
you've done" he growled. "Geew he
went on, with a heavy sneer. But
things are coming to a pretty pass
when a gang of crooks gets to argu-
ing about their rights That's funny,
that isl"
Then Taught" Aggie exclaimed. in
solentiy. and made face at the Of
deer. "Ha, ha, ha"s
We'll. you've got the tip" Cassidy
returned, somewhat disconnected, after
a stolid fashion Of his own. Its up
to you to take 1t, that's all. II you
don't, one of you will make long
visit with some people out of town,
and itu probably be Mary. Remem-
ber, I'm giving II to you straight"
Aggie assumed her formal society
manner. exaggerated to the point of
extravaganza.
"Do come again. little one" she
chirruped. caressingly. I've enjoyed
your visit so much"
But Cassidy paid no apparent at
tention to her frivolousuess; only
turned and went noisily out of the
drawing room, offering no return to
her daintily infected good afternoon.
For her own part. as she heard the
outer door close behind the detective.
Aggie's expression grew vicious, and
the heavy brows drew very low. until
the level line almost made her pretti-
ness vanish.
s.The truck horse detective.s she
sneered. IAN eighteen collar, and a
six and half hat He sure had his
nerve. trying 10 hluff us.'
But ii was plain that Carson was
of another mood. There was anxiety
In his face. as he stood staring vague
ly out OF the window.
Perhaps it wasn't a bluff, Aggie, =
he suggested.
"Well, what have we done, I'd like
to know? the girl demanded, conf
IDENTIFY She took a cigarette and a
match from the tabouret beside her,
and stretched her feet comfortably, If
very inelegantly on a chair opposite.
Carson answered with note of
WEAKNESS that was unlike him.
1T ain't what you have DONE" he
said. quietly. ITS what they can
make a jury think you've done. And,
once they set out to get you--God,
how they cen frame things! If they