Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-08-19

son broke in. Its been mere luck
that's helped him so far. Nobody ever
crossed Harry Wilkerson yet and got
away with it. Old Tom Gallon found
that out"
Jean Darnell glanced at his feverish
eyes and understood him. She knew
that the reaction from the thought that
he had caused DORIS death-the sud-
den surprise of finding him alive and
in San F~rancisco-had shaken his
nerve. He would hereafter seek the
devious and obscure ways he knew so
we'll. Her eyelids almost closed till
she was looking at him through mar
row Sits. She seemed satisfied and
turned to Drake. please do it for
me- she urged again. Il know Harry
has some good, safe plan in view"
Wilkerson nodded. "WeIl be back
before very long, Jean. Better stay
right here SO that I can get you on the
phone if necessary"
"Oh, I'll stay here" she Knocked.
"That seems to be my role-staying
where you put me"
He stepped very close to her and
looked into her stormy eyes. "And if
l put you where you most want to be
in the world"
She saw the passion flaming, as if
the mans soul were on fire, and drew
back fearfully. Wilkerson understood
that movement and laughed grimly.
She feared him, and he Toasted on the
terrors he inspired, even where he also
loved.
Once out on the street, Drake sullen-
ly followed his companions lead INTO a
still lower quarter of the town. Busy
with his own thoughts and still shaken
from his experiences of the morning,
he did not notice that WilkersOn was
evidently on the lookout for some one.
One or twice he stopped to think.
Once he greeted an old acquaintance
and carried on a low voiced conversa-
ton, of which Drake heard nothing ex-
cept the name "Pell" and 'he usually
hangs out around Adams poolroom."
When Wilkerson rejoined him Drake
said peevishly, "Where to now?"
''Ive got my scheme and my man."
was the reply. It'll be plain sailing
from now on"
A moment later Drake was surprised
to see Wilkerson step to one side di-
rectly into the path of a pale faced,
quietly dressed young man Of about
thirty years Of age. The individual
stopped, stared at the man who had so
rudely interrupted his walk and then
recoiled.
Harry he stammered.
Wilkerson smiled cruelty, but said
nothing. The other repeated the name
and went on, Are you here? Why are
you here"'
His dread was SO evident that Drake
looked at him curiously. 1t was
strange what a number Of queer ac-
Quaintances Wilkerson had and how
deeply most of them seemed to fear
him. He listened intently to his COM
paniOn's drawing tones.
Eyes, I'm Harry Wilkerson. 1 was
looking for you, Pell."
The man he addressed licked his dry
lips and essayed a smile. Long time
l no see you" he said in an attempt
at a jesting tone.
How long is it, now?" Wilkerson
said as if to himself. "You got five
years.
For Gods sake, man, be quietr'
whispered Pell. ''I-no one knows me
here, and I'm on the square now too"
"You mean the police don't know
you," grinned Wilkerson. But, then,
l know you, old sport. You wouldn't
say now that 1 wasn't an old friend,
would youY"
Pell grudgingly accepted the hand
head u and shook it feebly.
"Wel just so to some nice place and
sit down and talk over old times,''
Wilkerson remarked pleasantly.
But I've got a date! I'm working
downtown" protested Pen miserably.
"Working?" demanded Wilkersop
mockingly. "Since when has old Sam
Pell been working? Answer! Since
he was broke" He laughed loudly.
81 came out here to live on the lev
ell" pleaded the other, his foxlike face
white with fear.
Things too hot for you in the tor
rid east? Well, 1 never went back on
a pal, did l, Sam? And I'm not going
back on you now. I'm going to put
you in the way Of some coin"
At this point they turned into. u small
Greek cafe, and Wilkerson ordered
coffee all around. When they had been
served and We're alone he introduced
Drake and Pell and remarked to the
former: Sam Pell is known as the
slickest man in his line. Amt you,
Sam?"
IT amt working that lay any more
was the sulky answer.
Wilkerson leaned across the table,
and his lean face held a very evil ex-
preston on it. mot working? But
you'd do a turn for an old friend.
wouldn't you, specially when there's
lots of good, safe money in it,"
AS IL hypnotized, Pell stared into the
dark eyes fixed On his and swallowed