Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1915-10-02

companied her. Their voices were
lifted in angry controversy but he
paid no attention to the words. A
fresh panic had seized him as 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, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Il tell you, Flo. you've got to can
it. He's a decent guy. this husband
of yours, and I'm strong for him.
wouldn't say word II didn't know
you were kidding yourself along. /
tell you it's getting loosely talked
about when gambler like me hears
It,. l tell you 1t 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 II
you don't cut out the merry-merry
and beat 1t 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
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. flinging himself
between the angry pair.
II am thief" He shouted, then.
at his wife's Mortified exclamation Of
protest; over and over again he re-
peated it: II am a THETA thief-a
thief"
Whats the limit, Joe?" he de-
manded quietly.
1T isn't limit" choked the teller.
I've got 1t all-in the next room. l
won, Fred, at the last minute won
1; all back. It's in the next room"
Then what's the kick?"
II can't get the money back-into
the vault. It's got to be there in the
morning-first 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
Fio's hand was upon his arm. Sudden
ly with an oath of capitulation, FRED
Williams flung himself away from the
woman.
'Eand me the CON-" he grated
harsEly. Hand 1t to me quick-be-
fore I change my mind" A bitter,
grating laugh choked out of him as
he pocketed the bank notes. I'm a
bit out of practice, folks, and the jobs
Observation-Disclosures tell"
VI.
A long silver of orange light
snatched a segment from the dark
ness. Once-twice-thric a
black window Of the Fourth National
it came, the watchman's signal that
all was well within.
Crouohing 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 Waterman
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
Waterman 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 a razor
blade, that their constituencies 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
hank standing rigidly before him too