The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1915-11-18

violets his wife affected. Through the
portieres he could see her brother &C
companied her. Their voices we're
lifted in angry controversy but he
paid no attention to the words. A
fresh panic had seized him as a har-
rowing problem presented: HOW TO
GET THE MONEY INTO THE VAULT
BEFORE MORNING?
Where his ruin had meant nothing
to him, had left him cold and pas
sionless, this problem presented itself
bristlingly. His hands grasped the
portieres and he would have flung
himself into the living room when he
halted abruptly, stening-listening-
u tell you, Flo, you've got to can
it. He's decent guy, this husband
OF yours, and I'm strong for him.
wouldn't say a word If l didn't know
you were kidding yourself along. /
tell you it's getting loosely talked
about when a gambler like me hears
it. l tell you it amt possible for
bank teller to live the way Drum
lives and support you the way you're
supported and be on the up and up.
He may have got by up to now-I
amt saying. But he can't get by
long with this stuff tell you, and
know. l tell you straight you're
making, you have made, or you're
going to make a thief outta Drum if
you don't cut out the merry-merry
and beat it to the bushes quick"
"a thief" Flo's voice rose hysteri-
cally. You've got a nerve talking
about thieves, you have! You've got
a nerve talking-a reformed bur-
glar-"
The eaVesdropper felt something
catching in his throat-something that
racked his entire body. He snatched
the portieres apart, finging himself
between the angry pair.
Il am thief" He shouted, then,
at his wife's Mortified exclamation of
protest; over and over again he re-
peated it: II am a thief-a thief-a
thief"
What's the limit, Joe?" he de-
manded quietly.
1T isn't limit" choked the teller.
I've got it all-in the next room. l
won, Fred, at the last minute. l won
it all back. It's in the next room"
Then what's the kick?"
Il can't get the money back-into
the vault. It's got to be there in the
morning-frst thing. The examiner
you must get it back for me-"
Williams drew away sharply as the
hidden request was made. A quick
shudder Of repulsion shook him, but
Flo's hand was upon his arm. Sudden
ly with an oath of capitulation, Fred
Williams flung himself away from the
woman.
Hand me the coin," he grated
harshly. Hand 1t to me quick-be-
fore l change my mind" A bitter,
grating laugh choked out Of him as
he pocketed the bank notes. I'm a
bit ont of practice, folks, and the jobs
essional-but-wot tell"
vi.
A long silver of orange light
snatched segment from the dark
ness. Observation-Disclosures a
black window of the Fourth National
&c came, the watchman's signal that
all was well within.
Crouching against the wall of the
opposite building Fred Williams
carefully, methodically upturned his
coat collar and pulled the hat brim
low over his eyes.
AS the unsuspecting watchman
leisurely opened the door, Williams
sprang up close behind him, ramming
the gun into the small of his back.
Straight ahead" he grated. Don't
turn or I'll"
No need to finish the threat. The
watchman marched slowly forward.
Carefully keeping behind the fellow
even after he had bound him to the
chair, gagged him securely, and tilted
his hat brim so low his sight was OBJ
scured, Williams heaved long sigh
He then swiftly pocketed the re-
volver and stepped through the presi
dents Office to the black vault A
second he stood before the monstrous,
grim barrier, then his delicate hands
reached out and touched the nickel
combination knobs.
With that chill kiss all thought dis
appeared, every sense was submerged
in the instinct of the skilled work
man, back at his job after long alb.
sence.
Now and then he paused to pare
the tips of his fingers with razor
blade, that their sensitiveness might
be accentuated. A long whistling
sound came from his chest as the
Strengthened, thin smile upon his
lips. A tickling sound had told him
his work was half finished.
Again he bent to the work He was
swift, he was certain, he was sure.
And then
Then, without Strengthening his
bowed back, he leaped aside, his arms
instinctively rising to shield his face,
his Economically twitching face, as he
glared at the man who had interrupted
him In his work, the president Of the
bank standing rigidly before him, too
surprised for utterance.
Darius Browns Jaws, which had
been loosely opened, clicked shut The
sound was audible. Williams had not
before been aware that the same ter
ror which had hurled him back before
the man had put the automatic into
his hand.
Came the CLINT of Darius Browns
nickel barreled revolver, snatched