The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1913-12-05
within the Law

leleplOne TO MIN.
''Giye me 900 Bryant he said
There was little wait Then an an
swer in voice he knew came over the
wire
Carson picked up a penholder from
the desk and began tapping lightly on
the rim of the transmitter. 1t was a
code message in Morse. In the room
around the corner the tapping sounded
clearly, ticking out the message that
the way was free for the thieves COM
ing.
For final safeguard Carson search
ed for and found the telephone bell
box and unscrewed the bells, which he
placed on the desk He then took his
pistol from his hip pocket and thrust
it into the right side pocket of his coat.
Once again. now, he produced the cleo
trio torch and lighted it as he extin-
guished the lamp on the table
He then went to the door into the
hall, opened it and, leaving it ajar.
made his way in silence to the outer
doorway. The doors there were freed
Of their bolts, and one of them swung
wide. So nicely had the affair been
timed that hardly was the door open
before the three men slipped in and
stood mute and mOtionless in the hall
while Carson refastened the doors.
Then Carson walked quickly back to
the library. Behind him, with steps as
~ III
men,
When all were gathered in the Ii
brary Carson shut the hall door,
touched the button in the wall beside
1t, and the chandelier threw it's radiant
light on the group.
Griggs was in evening clothes, seem
Ing very elegant young gentleman
indeed, but his two companions were
of grosser type as far as appearances
went-one. Dacey. thin and wiry. with
a ferret face; the other, Chicago Red.
a brawny ruffian. whose stoid features
nevertheless exhibited something of
half sullen good nature
Everything all right so far" Carson
said rapidly He turned to Griggs and
pointed toward the heavy hangings
that shrouded the octagonal window.
Are those the things we want" he
demanded
eyes," was the answer.
swell, then, we've got to get busy"
Before he could add direction he
was halted by soft buzzing from the
telephone. For an instant he hesitated
while the others regarded him doubt
fully.
We've got to take a chance" Gar
son went to the desk and put the re-
ceiver to his ear.
There came again the faint tapping
Of some one at the other end of the
line, signaling message in the Morse
code. An expression of blank amaze.
ment. which grew in a flash to deep
concern, showed on Garson's face as
he listened tensely.
why. this is Mary calling" he NUT
tered.
Mary" Griggs cried.
Eyes, she's on" Carson interpreted a
moment later as the tapping ceased for
little. He translated in a loud whis-
per as the irregular ticking noise
sounded again.
Il shall be there almost at once. I
am sending this message from the
drug store around the corner. Have
some one open the door for me imme-
diately."
"She's coming overr' Griggs cried in
credulously.
"No. I'll stop her." Carson declared
firmly.
But when after tapping few words
the forger paused for the reply no
sound came
"She don't answerr' he exclaimed.
ION her way already" Griggs sug-
gested "Pll let her in" He drew a
small torch from the skirt pocket of
his coat and crossed to the hall door as
Carson nodded assent.
God! Why did she have to Gomez"
Carson muttered. filed with forebod-
ings. IF anything should 60 wrong
nowv
He turned back toward the door just
as it opened, and Mary darted into the
room. with Griggs following closely at
her heels.
''What do you want here?" he de-
manded. with peremptory savageness
in his voice, which was a tone he had
never hitherto used in addressing her.
There was only tender pleading in
Mary's voice. though her words we're
an arraignment.
"Joe, you lied to me!'
THAT can be settled later" the man
His jaw was thrust forward
and his clear eyes spar
killed. defiantly.
"You are fools. all of you!" Mary
cried. Yes. fools! This is burglary
can't protect you if you are caught
How can /? Oh. Gomez She held out
her hands pleadingly toward Carson.
and her voice dropped to beseeching.
Joe, Joe, you must get away from
this house at once, all of you. Joe.
make them gov'
Its too late" was the. stern an