Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1915-04-01


looked into her stormy eyes. And il
put you where you most want to be
In the world!'
She saw the passion flaming, rs If
the mans soul were on fire, and drew
back fearfully. Wilkcrson understood
that movement and laughed grimly.
She feared him. and he Toasted ON the
terrors he inspired. even where lie also
loved
Once out OH the street. Drake sullen-
ly followed his companions lead into u
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
Once or twice he stopped to think
Once he greeted an old acquaintance
and carried OH n 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"
I've 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 pale faced.
quietly dressed young man of about
thirty years of age The individual
stopped, stared ut 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 OH, Are you here? Why are
you here!"
His dread was so evident that Drake
looked at him curiously. 1t was
strange what IL 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
Yes. I'm Harry Wilkerson. was
looking for you. Pell."
The man he addressed licked his dry
lips and essayed smile. Long time
no see you!" he said in an attempt
ut a TESTING tone.
How long is it, now?' Wilkerson
said as if to himself. You got five
years"-
For Gods sake. man, be quiety'
whispered Pell. '.I-no one knows me
here, and I'm Oh the square now too"
You mean the police don't know
you" grinned Wilkerson. But. then,
! know you, old sport. You wouldn't
say now that l wasn't an old friend.
would you!'
Pell grudgingly accepted the hand
head out and shook it feebly.
We'll just 90 to some nice place and
sit down and talk over old times
Wilkerson remarked pleasantly.
But I've got date! I'm working
downtown" protested Pell miserably.
"Working?" demanded Wilkerson
mockingly. "Since when has old Sam
Pell been working? Answer! Since
he was broke" He laughed loudly.
Il came out here to live on the lev
ell pleaded the other. his foxlike face
Wnlte With FEAR.
Things too hot for you in the tor
rid east? Well, never went back OH
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 small
Greek cafe. and Wilkerson ordered
coffee all around. When they had been
served and were 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?"
II amt working that lay any more .
was the sulky answer.
Wilkerson leaned across the table,
and his lean face held Il very evil ex-
preston on it. mot working? But
you'd do turn for an old friend.
wouldn't you, specially when there's
lots of good, safe money in it?'
AS If hypnotiZcd. Pell stared into the
dark eyes fixed OH his and swallowed
chokingly.
II knew you would" said Wilkerson.
willfully misinterpreting his inarticu-
late groan. Now to business. Samm
Henry" gasped the other. My
names Henry now. Don't call me
Sam"
well, Henry" said Wikerson sooth-
ingly. II declare, l do forget names
SO easily. Now. want to explain my
little proposition. It's just in your
line, Sa-Henry."
Pell bit his finger nails and squirlned
on his seat. But when the man op-
posite him casually pulled out Il heavy
purse and as he heard the clink of
gold he subsidized.
Very rapidly and curtly Wilkerson
told him of the existence of bundle
of papers that he wished to recover
He laid only enough emphasis OH their
character to enable Pell to identify
them on sight and concluded by say
ing: Its worth money III your pocket
to o"ate them and get them back.
Find !; girl named Ruth Gallon in one
of the hotels here. She has the pa
pers."
Pell rose nervously. Not for me,
Wilkerson.''
Wilkerson rose. too, quite undisturb.
ed. We'll just walk down the street
apiece with you. Sa-Henry. and can
explain little more clearly"
The outcome was that half an hour
later Pell took $50 advance from vii.
kerson and promised to recover the
papers for him. Before they parted
the latter made several little jokes
which Drake could not see the point
of, but which seemed to make Pei
sick with terror.