Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-08-05
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. Shared |
BY ]. U. GlESY & J. 3. SMITH
Authors Of Semi-Dual Stories
A Copyright,
The Frank A. Munsey Co.

For the same reason they sent Nc
kabe's shield ana gun, like you said
they done. They wanted 10 make us
sure they had him. Now | suppose
they'll be sendln' us note. Damn
them. II they've done anything to
Dual Say. Don't you care cuss
about this business? You stand there
aud don't bat an eye"
had been thinking. After the first
shock OF the thing | felt little fear tor
the man had known for years.
OF course on its face 1t had a mighty
funny look. Yet felt that il We're to
look beneath the surface | would find
rather some message Of assurance
than dread in this new turn OF Semls
actions
knew from long experience that
this strange man did nothing except
from purpose well thought out.
Now. TO all surface seeming he
might he either a victim of the power
he fought, or running about the streets
OF a city in an extremely light attire,
or-he might be wearing some other
tDrm OF apparel.
Right there | stopped
Sheldon had said that Dual had set
up several astrOloglc cal figures, after |
had left, had acted suddenly at the end
OF his calculations. ana had left word
for m . TO await message from him.
On top OF that he had sent back the
suit lie had worn when he lett. The
thing then was p!sln. Save for he
surprise, | would have seen il before,
~ he doubtless intended that | should.
That pile OF neatly folded apparel
was a message to me-that Dual was
moving, because necessity urged--that
he was following what he deemed a
most important clue-and that he was
gone somewhere--in disguise.
/ turned to Sheldon and smiled.
Sheldon" said |, after last night,
when he stopped that mob OF yellow
fisnds in the tunnel by the mere words
he spoke, is he likely to walk out Of
here III daylight and be picked up and
carted away? Something must have
shown him that he could do more in
the matter himself than he could &C,
colnplish by waiting"
Showed him, how" Sheldon in.
CURED.
Through the figures he set up after
Lucille and left"
Them pictures he drew" said Col
onel Mac, Honest, Glaee, it gets my
goat TO see him set down and draw a
few pinwheels an then get up an
hand out the dope that something is
due to come off Holy smoke! He
sort Of makes a problem in figures OF
life.
x asked him this morning what two
funny things he set down stood for.
Mercury and Venus, says he.
"'And what about them?' says |.
"They are in conjunction he said
And what does that mean? l
asked him.
He looked up and smiled and said.
"'That means that Mckabe has an
astral life insurance, colonel says he,
an just after that he goes out. Now,
what do you reckon he meant by
that?'
laughed felt like laughing.
wondered if Semi had meant for the
Gid mine owner to tell me that.
"Mean?" | mimicked. Lord. don't
you see it, colonel? He meant that
NcKabe would come back safe and
sound, and because there was some
need of rapid action he went out to
take hold himself
A smile rippled the colonel's face.
"Sure!" he agreed softly. That's
what hoped he meant
:. Colonel" explained, "tbe Mercury
and Venus Dual spoke of are STAYS
planets. Roughly. Mercury stands
for mind, intellect--or Il person whose
qualities are good Venus stands for
woman, or for womanly attributes In
conjunction they would mean that a
woman would play big part in Nc.
Kabe's destiny, | think"
y "Oh" said Sheldon. He lapsed into
silence, which after time he broke.
.'Just the same wish we knew where
he went to. Waitin' always did get
me all fused UP"
He slammed his cigar down on the
end OF the desk, where 1t sent up .
thin curl OF smoke.
Where's Lily? ! asked for the
first time.
In the next room. made her lie
down. Guess she's asleep" returned