The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-11-02


necessary to place his handkerchief before
his face.
Excuse me-" said Holberg, and a.
vanced upon His Stiffness. The lsttss
was plainly excited; 30 overwrousht. in
fact, that he forgot the first law Of gam.
bling house etiquette: he raised his voice
Madison doublecrossed u.s." he cried.
Il just got the tip from carneyi Madi.
sons goin' over the policies heads and
he'll be here In a minute. For the love o.
Mike. rush the gang out and hide the To,
oles. He's after Us. and
With snarl Holbers pushed His Shift
ness away from the door that led to the
roulette room and slammed II shut
What the devils the matter with you.
Tarson!" he snapped. want to let the
whole town get hep that Madisonu DO
business?"
But he won't! Curse himl" snarled
larson Hes ON his way here now.
and"-
~Didn't you slip him his BIT to-dsy."
"Soitnly did," almost walled larson,
Hand few minutes ago got him on the
wire and asked him what the devil he
meant by starting this thing after we'd
done him square, and he bawled me out.
He said lied! He said he'd waited for
me an hour by the station, and that no
cheap gambler could give him a corner
stand! The blasted nari He's taken our
coin; he's going to pull us. too. hope to
heaven he"-
The TAT hand Of Holberg wound about
the throat Of larson. 1he gamblers eyes
blazed and his voice shook with rage.
Curse you. larson. it's you that's ctoss
ing mel Madison wouldn't raid this place
II he'd got HIS. He needs the coin too
bad. You lying whelpi You copied Il,
and now you think to stall me this wsyl
BY - I've mind to cut your heart
outl"
Desperately His Stiffness struggled In
the grasp OF Holberg. His red face grew
more crimson; his eyes were popping
from his head; the fear Of death stood
large on his countenance.
twas Mr.. Magee undoubtedly who saved
Holberg from murder and larson from
death. The negro servants, almost white
Faced IN their terror as they stared at the
scene, were afraid to interfere. Mr..
Magee crossed the room swiftly. His nns
gers bit the arm Of Holberg.
Let him CO." he snapped. This is get
ting you nothing"
Holberg's syes were bestial In his To.
sane anger, but the fingers Of Mr.. Magee
were iron. Slowly the grip Of Hobers upon
upon the throat Of his henthmsn relaxed.
larson slid, choking and gssping, to the
floor. Holberg turned upon the rescuer.
He's crossed me-" he cried The dog.
Where do you get OF to butt inf Who the
devil are you anyway? I've q mind to-
how 10 know but you're bull yourselfs
Who are you? You're q stranger TO me,
your-
You know how got IN here" said Mr..
Magee easily. "Can the rough stuff n
you're going to make q getaway you'd bet.
ter tip the people inside that-what's the
best way out, anyway"
The question swoke Holberg to his
senses. HE flung open The door and ran
into the roulette room. Mr.. Magee was
close behind him. and their wild rush was
emulated by the players at the tables, who
sensed danger in their speed. But before
Holberg had reached the door that led to
the fight Of stairs there came q crash
against the street door. Holberg turned
and faced The now panic-etricken crowd
that were scrambling for exit.
Back, curse you, back" he cried. You
can't get out this way! The bulls are at
the door! Back!"
They gave way for a second before his
fury. The second was enough Assisted
by an employee at the open door, Holberg
slammed Il shut, and the ringing sound
il gave forth vas proof enough that Its
panels were OF steel and that the tamb
was also of metal. A huge key was In
the lock. Holberg turned II. withdrew II
and placed 1t In his pocket
There blast them. that'u hold. EN-
swhile,' he snarled.
white-bearded man, banker written
all over him, approached the gambler.
"But my dear Holberg. you must let 10
go! This will ruin me; this will
Go TO the DEVIL" cried Holoerg. He
rushed toward the roulette tables, already
being folded by busy croupiers. ITO the
roof with en-" DE ordered. Get 'em up
there and onto the next building! BY
they've got to have evidence to convict,
curse EN-, and they won't find q thing In
the house. Hustle!" He turned again
toward the clamoring mob OF players.
shut up. you FOOLS" be ragged. AND