The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1916-09-20

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THE name O'Bricn is a fairly com
mon one. II never occurred to
Rute to associate II with the Goat
otherwise he might have hc>ltated. II,
/ pulled at his top lip. 1~,.
Looks like bloomer, don't IT, he
SAID frankly I'VE all make mistakes
Still YOU can't be too sure. Since lN,
wasted me time comm here. | shall
have 10 make a report Tell me what
you know abou, him" And another OF
his precious ShllingS passed
This time, however, he was satisfied
with his investment lie had pumped
the janltor dry before he walked
thoughttully away. His idea was be
ginning to take shape He was no ped
ant specialist, When he wanted money
methods didn't matter, results were
all that concerned hlm-and he wanted
money badly
Exactly at halt-paSt two in the
morning, Big Ruic drove his fist to the
point of the Jaw OF the drowsy night
porter, whose sleep for hours there
after was Souuder ii no more refresh
ing And ten minutes later the Goat
awokc
II was a proof Of the soundncss Of
his nerves that he merely opened his
eyes and made no motion. although he
a.
some ono in the room, Tic continued
to breathe with audible regularity, but
eyes and cars were tcnSely ON the alert
FOR several minutes the ticking OF the
little bedside clock was the chief sound
IN the room. But the Goat knew what
was happening The intruder had clum-
silly made some sound and was now
waiting motloneSs until he could be
sure that the sleeper had not reused
Presently there was faint click.
and the darkness of the room became
less intense. The Goat instantly shut
his eyes and the next second felt a
beam OF light searching his face. Then
it was gone and he felt rather than
heard a Stcathy football
Slowly. with deliberate caution, lest
the rustling OF the bedclothes should
attract attention, he began 10 ttrn over
so that he would face the burglar. He
was not at all alarmed but he was
curious. There were several friends OF
his-busncSS iriendS-who were quite
capable of dccming him worth proics-
slonal, visit. 1t had not been unknown
Tor a thief to recover IN the night the
stolen goods he had sold in the morn.
ing,
lie could see dimly a black. formcss
figure stealthily move about the apart
ment and the pencil of light from the
electric torch darting searchingly over
the various articles in the room
The Goat raised himself on one cl-
bow His visitors back was toward him
and in the farther corner Of the room
were hall dozen walking sticks Many
a time in his younger days had the
Goats liberty depended upon his soft
footedneSs, and his old cunning had
not yet deserted him. He lowered his
feet gently until they touched the
carpet and noiSelcssly and swiftly
crossed the room.
He had reached the corner, aud his
hand had encircled malacca cane
when the beam OF light suddenly
whirled round Instinct seemed to have
warned Big Rule of his danger. The
Goat hlnkcd his eyes as the circle Of
light blinded him-and then found him
self looking down the barrel OF a heavy
Keep your yap shut or you'll get it.
said the stecly voice of Rute.
II was then that O'Bricn recognized
him He did not venture to move, but
he gave thin cackle OF laughter.
Hello! You come to collect that
Say, son, I'd sooner have
you as con man than a burglar out
OF the funny papers. Take my advice
and give up being crook. ltll pay
YOU better to open cab doors for a liy-
ing"
Shut up" ordered Rufc percmp,or-
y. You know what want. Where dyou
keep the stuff Come on Cough it up,
or it'll be the worse for YOU"
You're sure some tough" taunted
the Goat His grip on the stick shift
ed and frightened Gosh, but you've
nearly got me frightened. Who trusted
YOU with a great big gun like that
Do YOU know what would happen to
YOU If il went off while you're point.
ing It at me- You would be hanged
by the neck until YOU were dead, and
your mummy would have to buy nice
new black clothes for YOU
That's enough" growlcd Ruic. Il
don't want to be hard with an old
nan like YOU The pistol mu,zle
dropped, There were men who could
nave told Ruie the only time the Goat
,ould be considered safe was while
one had him at the end of gun But
his knowledge he had vet to acquire
\ man more aStute might have realized
hat the Goat, gibtS were intended to
liStract attention In fact he was only
waiting for that pistol muzilc to waycr
Ruic understood too late. The Goat
unged with the stick as icnccr