The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1914-11-05
CHAPTER Xxx.
The plaque Of Cold.

without pause, ana tnTee step9 nv
time, Darrow ran down three nlghts
of stairs. Then, recovering from MS
initial excitement somewhat, ne
caught the elevator and shot to the
street There he walked rapidly TO
the subway, which he took as FAR as
| City Hall Square. On emerging from
the subway station he started across
for the Despatch office as fast as he
could walk. BY the entrance to the
City Hall. however. he came to an
abrupt halt. From the open doorway
rushed his friend, Officer Burns. OF
the City Hall Station.
The policeman's face was chalky
white; his eyes we're staring; his cap
was over one side, he staggered un-
certainly. AS he caught sight of Oar
row he stumbled to the young man
and clung to his neck, muttering In
coherently. People passing in and out
looked at him curiously and smiled.
my God!" gasped Burns. his eyes
rowing. 81 says to him, Mike, don't
wonder you've got cold feet. And
there he was, and the mayor-Heaven
save-and his secretary! My God!"
Darrow shook his Shoulder.
Here" he said decisiveiy, what are
; you talking about7 Get yourself to-
gether! Remember you're an officer;
don't lose your nerve this way!"
At the touch to his pride Burns did
pull himself together somewhat, but
went on under evident strong excite
ment.
''I went in just now to the mayors
Office a minute" said he. "and saw my
friend Mike Mallory. the doorkeeper,
settin' In his chair. as usual 1t was
cold-like, and | went up to him and
says, Mike, no wonder you get cold
feet down here Just by way OF joke;
and when he didn't answer, l went VI
u to him. and he was dead. there in his
chair!"
well, you've seen dead men be
>. fore. There's no occasion to lose
your nerve, even II you did know him.
said Darrow.
The brutality OF the speech had II,
Intended effect Burns Strengthened.
). That's all very well." said he mor'
collectively. But the man was froze!'
"Frozen!" muttered Darrow. ant
!, whistled.
"Yes. and what's more. his little dog
setting by the chair, was froze. too
,, so when | stepped back sudden an,
:, hit against him. he tumbled over bang
v. like cast-iron dog! That got IN
~ goatl ranl"
!" Come with me-" ordered Darrow dc
ID cisively.
They entered the building and ra
1t up the single flight OF stairs to tn
w. second-story room which the mayor @
a that term had fitted up as a sort G
st private office of his own. shar
IN chill hung in the Railways; this II
creased as they neared the executive
ly office. Outside the door sat the doc
IN keeper In his armchair. Beside hir
tn was a dog. in the attitude OF an an
To NAL seated on its launches, but lyin
or ON its side, one fore leg stickin
straight out. Darrow touched the ma
and stopped over to peer in his fac
n The attitude was most lifelike; III
color was good A deadly chill ra
m from Darrows' finger tips up HIS arr
an He pushed open the door cautiousl
and looked In.
do "All right. Burns" said he. "Tt
atmosphere has become gaseous agai
N. We can go in" With which stranl
remark he entered the room, followe
M closely, but uncertainty by the Office
re The private office possessed the q
IN mosphere of cold-storage vault Fol
tie men occupied 1t. At the desk wi
nd seated the mayor. leaning forward
of an attitude Of attention. his trip
Ity chin on one clenched fist, his hea'
a face scowling in concentration. o
,ut posite him lounged two men, one lea
m ing against the table. the 9th
m against the wall. One had his har
10 raised in argument, and his mou
en- open. The other was watching, an G
Of preston of alertness on his aha