Gunnison news-champion. [volume] (Gunnison, Colo.) 1905-1932, 1917-02-02
CHAPTER Ix-csatinssd.

CHAPTER lx-ceatinwsd.
-
Twelve O'Clock. boya- JNlson
threw the decks on the door. Cash
In. Chips for money. money for chips
-droning the call Of the professional
gambler. He produced . tab and pen
ell and 1otted down the losses and
the winnings. taking particular care
that these Tailed with the advances
from the bank. Crawford. you old
smooth guy. you win nine hundred
and four dollars. I win ninetysix:
Just enough to pay for the whisky and
tobacco and grub. I never yet heard
OF . host coming out on top Of the
game. II wouldn't look we'll"
The flve losers got out their check
books and made preparations to set
tie. Crawford's face seemed to grow
old and care-worn.
"JiIi." he said. got any cash! I'm
sailing for Italy in the morning and
won't have time to bother with
checks"
Sailing for Italy! Forbes tore up
three blanks before Ne rucceeded In
getting one filled out properly. Italy.
Here was a solution to the whole dark
business. He would write letter to
Crawford in Naples. telling him what
he knew. and that he must return the
jewels rt once. They would never be
traceable II sent by foreign parcel
post Armitage and Holliater and Nor.
rfs might have to pay duty again, but
he doubted II they would make any
trouble over that az long as they re-
ceived the Jewels intact And all that
comedy at safe-opening had been a
mask; behind 1t had lain tragedy. The
evidence OF his own eyes; nothing
else could have made him believe It.
He heard Jillson saying; Il believe
can fix you out" He saw his host
go to hts safe and return with seven
hundred. You always carry . roll.
Wheedon. Let me have two hundred
and I'll give you my check for IT,
The matter was arranged. and Craw-
ford put away the money. It hit
Forbes like q blow between the eyes:
Crawford asking for cash! A man
whose income couldn't be the short
side Of two hundred thousand year!
Going along. Mort! Got my cleo
trio outside. and II won't be any trou-
BILE 70 drop you At the studio" Craw-
ford put his arm across the younger
mans shoulders.
Thanks. Glad to 90 with you" To
got the owner Of that arm out Of the
reach Of the police was all Forbes
cared about. Once In, the cab he said:
Gravity. are you pinched for money!
~Pinched for money!" The cab
skidded. caught itself and went on.
Good Lord. no! What put that into
your head? Oh. I say. are
you In need Of few hundreds! II
this nine hundred ;"
mo. I'm on easy street. But Inever
saw you take cash before. You're al.
ways saying something about sending
the check when . chaps ready"
Il am going awny. Mort. perhaps for
. long. long time; perhaps ten years:
perhaps shant come hack. Who
knows?"
rs II woman?"
Crawford laughed. You're always
seeing petticoats. No. Mort. not . wom-
an. only q snow-image. Why can't
you pack up and come along with me!
Naples will be beautiful now"
TOO many contracts. l haven't any
income like you. earn lots Of money.
but have TO keep on earning II. And
Just now I'm In . hole for . new
model. BY the way. do you know the
Aearsons who live below Jillsonr'
yes"
well. I'd give Q thousand for
chance to draw her face. to have her
pose for me-" What had Crawford's
sensation been when he entered that
room?
SORRY can't help you."
why not?'
The truth Is. ws are not on speak.
ing terms"
''Oh. we'll. dare say Jillson might
speak . word for me-"
Good luck" Then suddenly: what
have you got to do for half an hour ?"
Nothing"
''Will you como with ne while do .
trifiing errand?" The bitterness Of his
tone did not escape Forbes.
Surely" Forbes nav the fifteen
thousand in bills at the girls feet.
her dull misery over the loss OF the
boz. Had Crawford believed her Jew
els to be In It! oh. II was damnabls!
:. They arrived presently before an
apartment building.
I'VE get out here" said Crawford.
shutting on the pover. Mort. every
man has curtain which he does NOT
lift even to his best friend Tonight
I'm going to LIT . corner for you. Il b
because I want someone with me- I
an In NO mood f9r sentiment Come"
Hne4na 6nll0NAd him What Hna