The San Francisco call., 1913-09-25
Continued from Yesterday
CHAPTER xlr-continued

CHAPTER XlI-Contfnued
no, no, joe" Mary cried, greatly
diseomposed. None of that-ever."
The forger smiled and there was
malignant triumph in his expression.
"Pooht" he exclaimed Even If I
used it. they would never get on to
me. See this?" He pointed at the
strange contrivance on the muzzle
Mary's curiosity made her forget
for a moment her distaste.
What IS it?" she asked. interest
ediy- 4 have never seen anything
like that before
of course you haven't" Carson an
swered with much pride I'm the
first man in the business to get one
and I'll bet on it. I keep up with
the times. For once he was reveal
ing that fundamental egotism which
is the characteristic of all his kind
That's one of the new Maxim sileuc-
ers." he continued. With smokeless
powder in the cartridges. and the
silencer on, can make a shot from
my coat pocket, and you wouldn't
even know IL had been done.
And I'm some shot, believe me"
'Impossible~ Mary calculated.
No, it amt" the man asserted.
Here. wait. I'll show you
Good gracious, not herer Mary
exclaimed in alarm We would have
the whole place down on. us"
Carson chuckled.
You just watch that dinky little
vase on the table across the room
there. 'Tain't very valuable. is it?"
No Mary answered.
In the same instant. while still her
eyes were on the vase, It fell in a
cascade Of shivered glass TO the table
and floor She had heard no sound,
She saw no smoke. Perhaps there
had been a faintest clicking noise
She was not sure She stared dumb
founded for a few seconds, then
snrned her bewildered face toward
Carson. who was grinning in high
enjoyment
7 wouldn't have believed it possi-
Bile she declared. vastly impressed.
Neat little thing. amt it?" the
man asked exultantly.
Where did you get it?' Mary asked.
In Boston. last week. And be-
b tween you and me. Mary. it's the only
model and il sure is corker for
crime
49, The sinister association of ideas
made Mary shudder. but she said no
more. She would have shuddered again
If she could have guessed the vital
part that pistol was destined TO play.
But she had no thought of any actual
peru TO come from IT. She might
have thought otherwise could she
have known of the meeting that
night in the ballroom of Blinkey's,
where English Eddie and Carson sat
with their heads close together over
a table.
"A chance like this" Griggs was
saying, "a chance that will make a
fortune for all of US"
1T sounds good" Carson admit
ted yVfStfrillv
at is good" the other declared
with an oath. Why. If this goes
through, we're set up for life. We
can quit, all of US"
Yes Carson agreed, I'VE can quit,
all of US" There was avarice in his
voice.
The tempter was sure that the bat
tie was won, and smiled contentedly.
Well he urged. what do you
sayg"
How would we split it?" It was
plain that Carson had given over the
struggle against greed. After all,
Mary was only a woman, despite her
cleverness, and with all a wcman's
timidity. Here was sport for men.
Three ways would be right.
Griggs answered. one to me. one
TO you, and one to be divided up
among the Others"
Carson brought his fist down on
the table with a force that made the
glasses Jingle.
You're on" he said strongly.
Fine Griggs declared, and the
two men shook hands. Now I'll
get
Get nothing Carson interrupted
I'll get my own men. Chicago Red
IS in town. So is Dacey. with per-
haps a couple of others of the right
sort. I'll get them to meet you at
Blinkey's at tomorrow afternoon,
and If 1t looks right we'll turn the
trick tomorrow night"
That's the stuff" Griggs agreed,
greatly pleased.
But a sudden shadow fell on the
face of Carson. He bent closer to
his companion, and spoke with a
fierce intensity that brooked no de-
nial
She must never know"
Griggs nodded understandingly
of course" he answered Il give
you my word that I'll never tell her.
And you know you can trust me,
joe"
YES" the forger replied somberly,
81 know I can trust you" But the
shadow did not lift from his face.