The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-01-20

ment in which TO take in the room.
Kirk leaned back in his chair and
nodded for him to approach
Are you Mr.. Locke. sir:" inquired
the new waiter
Yes" said Kirk
Telephone message for you, Mr..
Locke" the waiter muttered They're
holding the wire outside. I'll show
you the BOOTH
"Oh. will you?" Kirk Anthonys
hands suddenly shot out and seized
the masquerader by the throat The
man uttered a startled gasp, but 81
| multaneously the iron grip of Marty
Ringold fell upon his arms and dou-
bled them behind him. The rest of
| the party were on their feet instantly
watching the struggle and crowding
forward with angry ordinations
"All the way from St Louis for
| telephone call. eh?'' Anthony sank
(, his thumbs into the strangers throat:
| then. as the mans face grew black
| and his contortions diminished added.
| We're going to make a good waiter
! out of you"
| Jefferson Locke broke in excitedly:
| Choke him good. Choke him. That's
right Put him out for keeps. For
| Gods sake. don't let him go.'
p, But it was not Kinks idea to stran-
| gle his victim beyond certain point
He relaxed his grip after a moment
, and. noddinG to Ringold to do like
| wise. took the fellows wrists himself.
then swung him about until be faced
| the others The mans lungs filled
with fresh air. be began To struggle
once more. and when his voice had re
turned he easped:
I'll get you for this You'll do n
| trick He mumbled a name that
did not sound at all like Jefferson
! Locke. whereupon the Missourian
made rush at him that required the
full strength of Anthony's free hand
| to thwart
Let me GO the stranger gasped
I'll take you all in. I'm an officer
Its a lie!' shouted Locke. Hes
thief"
81 tell you I'm-an officer. | ar
rest this
The words were cut off abruptly by
a loud exclamation from Higgins and
| a crash of glass Kirk Anthouy's face
was drenched. his eyes were filed with
a singing liquid; he felt his prisoner
sink Imply back into his arms aud
beheld Higgins struggling in the grasp
of big Marty Ringo!d. the foil covered
neck of wine bottle in his fingers.
The foolish fellow had been lowering
uncertainty round the edges of the
crowd, longing to help his friends and
crafty anxious to win glory by some
deed of yalor.
I've got him. he cried joyously
He's out.'
Higgins" Anthony exclaimed sharp
ly. What the devil'- Then the dead
weight in his arms Sobered him like
deluge of ice water.
you've done it this time" be NUT
tered
Good God.' Locke cried. Let's get
away: He's hurt
Here. you Anthony shot a com
mand at the speaker that checked him
half way across the room. 'Ringold.
take the door and don't let anybody in
or out We're i'm bad now. | want
Padden." He stepped to the door and
signaled passing waiter. moment
later the proprietor knocked and Rim
gold admitted him.
What the Padden started at
sight of the motionless figure on the
floor and. kneeling beside it. made a
quick examination. while Anthony ex-
planned the circumstances leading up
to the assault.
I Thief. eh: | see
/ lis he badly hurt?' queried Locke.
| bending Il pale face upon them.
Huh. | guess he's due for the hos
pital." the owner of the Austrian Vii
Iage announced. He had his nerve,
trying to turn trick in my place. |
thought | knew all the dips. but he's
stranger" With nimble fingers he
ran through the fellows pockets. then
continued:
I'm glad you got him. but you'd bet
ter get together and rehearse before
the police He stopped abruptly once
more. then looked up curiouSiy
! What is it," questioned the man
from Missouri
! Padden pointed silently to the lapel
of the fellows vest. which he had
turned back. 4 nickeled badge was
; pinned upon it. He's no thief: he's
: a detecfive-a plain clothes man.
The crowd looked ,uonpluSed with
the exception of jefferson Locke. who
4 became calmer than at any time since
the waiter had first whispered into his
5 ear
[ We didn't know who he was" be
began hurriediy. You mist square il
for us. Padden | don't care what il