The Delta independent., 1917-01-26
HELEN's CRIMINAL
BY MARTIN o'NElLL.

81 wonder. queried Helen. ''it any
body really gets the rewards offered
in the paper. 1t seems to me the whole
world ought to be rich II people get
the money offered for criminals. lost
persons and stolen jewelry. Here's
man wanted out In Ohio for killing two
men and robbing bank. There's a
thousand dollars reward for him.
wish we could get 1t. don't you?"
"Wish it?'' sighed Aimee. crumbing
the little table and setting down
three saucers. of pudding. Yes. ] do"
The sisters looked at each other and
then at Bob. who was too busy hunting
for fat raisins to bother with the no
tons of big girls. His recent illness
had left him with an appetite even
more remarkable than before, and he
was the strongest. nealfhiesf looking
boy in the world-only against the
rocker leaned crutch. That was why
the girls had the same thought
thousand dollars would do SO much
81 wonder" Helen went back to the
paper. how people catch criminals?
Here's his picture and description. five
feet eleven inches nigh. dark brown
eIuN eyes. NtlEul out GU
and seventy-fhree pounds. They think
he is in this city"
PM that might be anybody" put
in Aimee.
"Just wait minute" went on Helen.
Triangular scar on left side of chin.
square jaws. mole on back of right
hand"
.I'lI put on my hat when the dishes
are done. He'd he hard to miss now"
laughed her sister.
The train was full the next evening
when Helen got on. However. she
managed to squeeze into small space
in the foremost seat that faced the
other passengers.
Down the aisle rows of commuters
were buried in the evening papers and
Helen studied the passengers with in
terest. finding diversion in the fact that
most OF them looked as tired as she
felt Then suddenly she gave a gasp
of amazement for her eyes had discov-
cred face that somehow looked famil-
lar On firm chin, between two
square-set jaws. was a triangular scar
that showed an angry red against an
otherwise rather pale complexion.
Helen's eyes leaped from one feature
to the other-gray eyes. brown hair.
rather tall. she judged. There was
no mistake about IL: she had found
him.
"Oh. Bobby" her thoughts few to
her brother. won't II be wonderful If
we get the reward and take you out
to Doctor Taylor. where you can have
proper treatment?"
Suddenly Helen realized that her
prey was looking at her. She darted
quick glance at him. then away. burn
ing furious red al her folly. for the
man. discovering further interest on
her part in himself and his belongings.
smiled amusedly.
And then fate. upon whom she had
called. came to her aid most gioriously.
nlheit bit roughly. There was n
grinding and splintering of glass and
something hit Helen on the back of the
head Things went out for awhile. and
when her senses came back she was
outside somewhere In the snow. Then
she realized that a man was trying to
make her swallow something. After
that her head cleared rapidly and she
tried to sit up.
That's splenddi" said the man. DO
you think you can stand? If you tell
me where you live we can get you
home"
Helen. now keenly alive TO every
thing realized that her benefactor was
the criminal.
THANK you" she said steadily. 81
guess | am able TO go now II the
car is ready. Won't-won't you come
too?"
81 was going TO ask you If l might"
And in a few minutes they were al
her door. Wont you come in and get
warm2" asked Helen. The time had
come for the grand coup.
Helen led him into the living room.
Then. excusing herself for a minute
she went out and locked the door.
Aimee and Bobbie had heard ana
were In the hall.
Ssh" whispered Helen. i've got
him-the murderer-he's In the living
room. Think of 1t! I'm going to tele-
phone for the police right away"
But while the girls were at the
phone Bobbie's curiosity got the bet
ter of him. He went quietly to the
door. turned the key and stuck in his
head.
How did you kill them bothf" he
asked curiously. rs that the money!"
nodding toward the bag.
'The man laughed. DO you think
I'm Captain Kidd? Come here. little
man.
mo. but sister said you were the
man the papers told about. and she
needed the reward. She'll be sorry"