Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-27
lwarfiike figure. whose slender fin-
yers were suddenly nearing Fischer's

The creature seemed to melt away.
Fischer dived and descended dozen
steps or so into another bare looking
apartment, the doorof which was half
open. There were three men seated
almost the only article of furniture
to be seen. One. somberly dressed In
legal black, with a pale face and
6ercely inQuiring eyes. half rose to
his feet as the. newcomer entered.
The man who was sitting between tho
two, however, great red-headed
Irishman-rose to his feet and pushed
them back to their places. q,
There's no cause for alarm. now,
boys" he declared. ."This is friend
= cd, because we're all better friends
strangers down in these parts. Hop
u of, you two. Sit down here, Mr..
Stranger" -. a'ss 80. d. -a-.-, -. '.l-.-
The two men stole away. The Irish.
Clients Of mine. he sxpiained.
'"Tim Crooks is in politics. Got your
message. boss What's the hgure?'
1.-TWO thousandw. or."~.,'s '-,!q -r>-l''
The Irishman whistled and looked
g isn't Il eno %HH = FISCHER isS eSD asked.
"EnoughT was the hoarse reply.
why, there isn't. one Of my toughs
that wouldn't go rat-hunting for q
quarter Of that" If it's any one in
these parts. twelve hours is all I
ut isn'tw e...
The Irishman's face fell.
Some swell. suppose? Fifth ave.
nue. way and the swagger parts, eh?"
Fischer assented silently. His host
drank 1t as though it were water. 49,.
"YOu see, boss" he pointed out
ats no use sending greenhorns out
on job like that, because they only
squeak II they're pinched, and pinched
they're sure to be; and all my regu:::
You mean they are hiding al.
readyT s r.. a.'-, .e.s
that's some truth" was the grim
admission. THE cops amt going to
trouble to come after 'em, so long
oae sas SesoSS e. en they atn st
ia like to oblige you, guv'nor. I
don't know who you are, and don't
want. but my boys speak fine Of you.
You know Ed Swindies?"
mot d hy n nam ;,.1 Fischer he confessed.
troit," the irishman went on, drop
ping his voice q little. "Is tell you
he's q genius at handling q, bomb, is
Ed. Blew that old factory into brick
ends, he did; He's in the saloon up
been de,iins a round Of the dancing
That's all right. but what about
this 5obT Fischer inquired, a little
'm Tss irtsSman Glanced behind =, him.
"Look here. guv'nor." he said. 'I've
some idea, II 1t pans out. You've
heard Of the Heste case?"
You mean the girl who was MUIR
eyes, We'll, the chap that did it
is within a few feet Of where we're
FISCHER took Off his spectacles and
rubbed them. In the dim light his
face looked more grim and powerful
isn't that little dangerous?" he
observed. "The police mean having
him."
you're dead right" the 1rishman
replied. They've got to have him,
and he knows it. They'd keep their
they could. but this bloke's different.
He done 1t too thick, and he's got
the public squealing. Now, II we
could get him out for long enough
he's the man for your job. Come
He rose heavily to his feet, crossed
Of what was little more than a cup
board at the farther end. The place
was in darkness. but human form
sprang suddenly upright. His white
face and glazing eyes were the only
visible objects In a shroud of, dark
That's all right. kid" the irish
man said soothingly. "No cops yet.
This fs gsTflsmsn on. business. Walt
ia sfAnne9 'hack and ,hrour ft n
candle from the table at which he
had been seated. Fischer helped him
light 1t, and by degrees the interior
OF the little apartment was Illuminate
ble--there was. simply a foul piece OF
rug An the. corner. and broken chair.
with his back TO the wall; crouched
a slim, apparently young man, with
a perfectly ;bloodiess face and black
eyes under which, were, blue lines.
with dust, as though. ne had dragged
himself about the floor; and one Of
his hands was bleeding. %, - - d
1.-THE gentleman's on business, Jake"
his host repeated. s.'../ Z !'se''.
give me some whisky" the young
The Irishman shaded his eyes. ,
80 Holy Moses! why, you've finished
that bottle!" he exclaimed. /, =
TITS like water" the fugitive re.
piled in q hot whisper. II drink and
get nothing! Give me something
stronger" ~,
He tossed of without hesitation the
tumbler half full of whisky which
his guardian fetched him. Then he
came out.
'I'm sick Of this" he declared. 'T'll
sit at your table. It's no use talking
to me Of Jobs" he went on. II couldn't
get out of here. I made for the docks.