Charlevoix county herald., 1914-06-06
CHAPTER XXI.
Crewe's Bluff.

Crewe leaned carelessly against
the casing of the doorway dressed
precisely as when Shaughnessy last
saw him. His hands were inside his
coat pockets and there was a latent
something about him that was sug
gestive of incredible swiftness of &C
ton. He wasn't the man to have
interrupted them without ample
means at hand for offensive defense.
Shaughnessy swallowed hard,
bringing a lump into his throat
which disappeared slowly. He had
put the heavy, cumbersome things
out of his trousers-pockets when he
stripped himself of his outer clothing
because of the heat, and was practi-
cally defenseless. He remained
where he was, staring without speak
ing, helpless. Jess moved nearer to
a window, but kept her hand through
the slit in her skirt.
81 guess / owe you one for this
Crewe," she said with a suggestive
pause between the last two words
which neither of the others seemed
to notice. He'd have killed me, or
I'd have killed him, if you hadn't
butted in. That was a pretty good
play for you, chasing me down here,
and won't forget it when it comes
to a showdown between US. Just
keep that position, will you, for a
minute. You'll keep yours, too,
Shaughnessy, if you know what's
good for you. This isn't any polite
say-so that you're up against, al
though you don't know it."
She crossed to the chair where
Shaughnessy had flung his coat.
His gun and his shot-flled billy were
on the same chair. She stripped the
one Of it's cartridges and she cut the
lacings of the other and let the shot
drip through the open window into
the tagged yard below
Il guess that draws your teeth,
Brian" she said, "but Mr. Crewe
doesn't want you to be in hurry
about going-not just yet. Now, Mr..
Crewe, can l use that telephone ?"
Crewe replied without taking his
eyes from Shaughnessy, for it was
plainly apparent that the man was
in a dangerous mood and would not
hesitate to take chances if there
should be an opportunity.
at depends upon what use you
want to make of it, Jess" he said.
I'm itching to call up a friend of
mine to ask him if he'll take me in.
Brian's jealous of him, too, so you'd
better keep an eye out for trouble.
GO ahead then, only no double
crossing, mind"
"I'm not that kind and you know
it."
"All right. l can hear what you
say"
"I1l have to look in the book for
his number. | haven't learned it,
yet"
She began 20 turn the leaves.
Maybe you know him, Crewe.
He's an artist-name of Moreaux-
keeps a swell studio where he draws
pictures of dead men-and live ones,
too. | saw one there today of Shan
non-he made that one down at the
morgue. / saw another one there of
Shaughnessy-he made that one
from Shannon's. Here's the num-
ber."
She paused with ner hand upon the
receiver, but without lifting it from
the hook.
Maybe you know him, Mr..
Crewe, and maybe you'd rather I
wouldn't telephone"
THAT depends upon what you
want to say to him. But | can lis
ten, so go ahead. Only be quick
about it." Crewe replied.
She hesitated another instant with
her eyes narrowed and fixed stu
diously upon Crewe's marred face.
Then she asked for the number.
After a moment they heard her say:
"This is Miss Stacey speaking. |
wish to talk to Mr.. Moreaux. Is this
Mr.. Moreaux? Yes"
She shot a quick and thoroughly
puzzled glance toward Crewe, but his
eyes were upon Shaughnessy and he
did not see it. She continued, still
with her eyes upon Crewe:
al wanted to say that ! have
changed my mind about the sittings,
provided you could use me again to-
day. That's too bad about the light,
but I think III go up there to see
you anyway. Goodbye"
She put back the receiver and
stood upright. She had not removed
her hat, and was ready for the
street. There was perpendicular
line of perplexity between her brows
as she looked sharply at Crewe. She
said to him:
You're boss here now, and you're
a wonder. Take it from me, you are
all that. Can / go out? ?"
Sure. Why not? Nobody's keep
ing you, Jess. You've pulled
Shaughnessy's fangs, and III let
him chase along after you up to the
artists as soon as I've had a word or
two more with him. But Shaugn
isn't feeling good, and you'd better
get there in time to warn that artist
chap that's stuck on you"
ooh, he isn't stuck on me, Crewe;
but III give it to you straight that
he's going some in my regard, just
now-or you arep
Crewe moved aside out of her
patti. but she paused in the doorway
and looked back.
YOU'D both better beat it out of
here rather sudden" she said. 81
shall send in the first cop ! see"
"Shaughnessy," Crewe said, after
she had gone out, "I'm rather sorry
that | butted in upon that domestic
felicitv scene only / shOuldn't won