The Lamar register., 1914-07-08
Gordon Craig
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acter and determination
heard the thud of Coombs feet
upon the steps of the veranda. That
be had been drinking l realized at
glance. and 1t was equally evident that
be planned to overawe me by brutal
domineering.
80 yer've got through eatin.' hey?"
he began coarsely. "Whar's the fe
male? Thought saw her here
'You did," l returned coldly. but
Mrs. Henley has returned to her
ROOM
Mrs. Henley. huh! Think yer kin
pull tibet blum over meT
what bluff?"
Jaw. this Henley racket you sprung
last night-'bout yer being young Phil
Henley come back"
Ibid l say thatT
"Yer shure did," eying me in some
surprise. II reckon my ears heard all
right Why, what are yer this morn
ing?"
IF ever made any such claim a.
that, Coombs II was merely to assure
our admittance. It's different this
morning. and I am going to be just as
frank with you as you are with me. Is
that squareT
81 reckon" uneasily. not yet able to
gauge my purpose and feeling his blur
a failure. II amt got nothin' ter lie
about SO fur as l know. Let's go in
side, whar we kin have II out quiet
like"
I followed him into the front room.
and he kicked out a chair 80 as to bring
my face to the windows. AS l sank
into It I noticed a dusty mirror oppO-
site which gave me a dim reflection Of
the entire room. Coombs shut the door
leading to the back of the house and
sat down facing me, his big hands on
his knees His effort to look pleasant
only made him appear uglier than
usual
"Waal, go on" he said gruf1y.
crossed my legs comfortably and
leaned back in the chair. quite con-
scious Of thus adding to his irritation.
Ny best card was cool Indifference.
There ID not much to say" I re-
piled deliberately. I'm answer your
questions so far as I think best. and
then I'll ask a few Of you. The lady
upstairs L. Viola Henley. the wife OF
Philip Henley. She has come down
here to take legal possession Of this
property. That Ii the situation in a
nutshell. I am merely accompanying
her to make sure that she gets square
deal"
His jaw sassed. and bis eyes wan
dered
"Ohr he managed to articulats.
what u your real gamer
Exactly a. ! have stated It, Coombs.
To the best Of my knowledge Philip
Henley is dead-at least he has disap-
peared-and bis widow Is the rightful
heir to this estate"
"waal, I reckon he amt dead-not BY
1ugfulr'
I felt the hot blood pump In my veins
Did the man know this to be true. or
was he merely making the claim for
erectT
THAT, OF course, remains to be
proved" returned smilingly.
"Oh. does 1t. now. So does this yer
wife business. to my thinkin'. WAL. 1t
won't take long ter settle the matter.
believe me. Who are you enyhowT
MY name Is Craig-Gordon Craig"
"A lawyerT
mot guilty"
"A detectiver'
Same plea"
thought he gave grunt OF relief.
"All right, then. | reckon l got yer
number. Craig. Yer after a little easy
money. Somehow. yer caught on to
the mixup down yere an framed up a
scheme to cop the coin. Might have
worked. too. If I hadn't been on the
job an posted Nice lookin' girl yer
picked up
Drop that. Coombsr' interrupted
sharply, leaning forward and staring
him In the eyes.
"Oh. too nice. hey!'
Yes. too nice for you to befoul even
with your tongue. If you mention her
name again except in terms Of respect
there is going to be trouble.
he laughed. opening and closing hin
big hands.
~ mean it." went on soberly.
Don't think l am afraid Of you. No.
you keep your hands where they are.
II 1t comes to a draw you'll find me
quick enough to block your game.
Now. listen!'