Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-05-25
"TheCurse;
of QuetZal;
BY J. u. GlESY d ]. B. SMITH
Authors OF Semi Dual Stories
Copyright,
The Frank A. Munsey Co.
The Frank A. Munsey Co.

We formed little procession INTO
the lobby and across it toward the
door of card room which Hefiy Sc
lected. | saw Laredo talking TO the
clerk as we filed past, and quite sud
denly a medium sized man, nattlly
dressed in blue and wearing close
Vandyke and a professional air, APP
peared from upstairs, running
down.
At once he made his way to Hehys
eide and addressed him. What's the
matter? Grigss called me-"
Griggs, fancied. must be the clerk.
As it happened. was right
Two dead 'uns,' said Hetfy shWt-
". Better come in an look 'em
over"
We crowded through the door of the
card room, and the bodies were lad
upon tables 1t seemed to me that the
faces of each appeared to be pulled
and swollen as | scrutinlzed them
more closely
So much | saw before Heffy inter-
rupted. Now all Of you who don't
know these parties beat it. Me an
the doc wants to get to work Guess
we better get Griggs in. Some OF
tou felers tell the clerk we want
him"
"Be ter get the man he's falling TO,
also" suggested. 'H9 knew WIN
garde in Mexico"
Heffy turned round. He pulled up,
"Who--" he began and paused.
| had been waiting for the moment.
From the first | had recognized him
as a former patrolman from m: home
town. The surprise seemed to be
mutual on his part.
Go on and take another look. |
said. grinning. "Who took you out of
harness and slid you into plain clothes,
HeN ?"
"Glace," he shouted. "Wdl, good
night. where did you come FROM?
Never mind; get Laredo the man
who was with Griggs minute
ago." | told him. Care If | stick
around?"
Sure not" he assented. and walked
to the door From there he signed TO
Griggs. Come on in an bring your
friend with you" he directed.
He came back.
"Wel. say | never looked TO see
you. How's the old town? They tell
me you've quit the papers an gone in
for the private stuff. Right"
nodded "Glace and Bryce, Private
Investigators" told him.
"An' grabbed this cinch job
through a pull" he announced Say,
II there's anything funny in this, get
in an help me- I've heard LOT about
your work, but never thought I'd get
q chance to work with you Bryce told
me once you had side-kick with
funny monker, too. What about
him."
Hes upstairs with the dead mans
daughter" | replied.
"Well. good night" said Heffy. ard
turned 20 Grggs and Laredo. who
had just entered. "Say, Mr.. Laredo
did you know this Professor Win
garde?'
The Mexican answered briefly.
"Wha'd'ye know about his goin' Off
with Charley, Griggs?" Heffy went
on.
Griggs told Dayton's story. That's
oil I know" he said.
"All right, Get back on your lob.
then" Heffy told him.
. He went over and ran a hand into
each of Wingarde,s pockets. He pro.
duced handsome gold watch roll
OF bills OF large denominations, and
some notebooks and papers. "He
wasn't killed for what he had on him,
at any rate he decided, thrusting the
things into a pocket of his own gar.
ments.
Feel carefully of his body" |
suggested, stepping in close to his
side.
Whats that? What for?' he dc.
handed; but he rapidly complied, pat.
ting and rubbing his hands up and
down and around the outline of the
corpse with deftness which showed
he had had no little practise II got
all there was on him. Ne declared.
TRY the Indian now | requested.
Him." Heify threw a glance at
the body on the other table HE
wouldn't have nothing but some 'smo.
King STILL"