The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-26

shouldn't 1 be all right?v
Then why did you send for me? 2"
he demanded.
Who said I sent for you?"
MY man said you had telephoned 20
me from Tiernan's. I must acknowl-
edge that I wasn't acquainted with
Tiernan's. I had some slight difficulty
in fact, in identifying it. But I was
helped out by my friend, Captain
Ofley of Police Headquarters. and
But what made you imagine was
in any way in need Of help?" cut in
realizing that Wrinkle was laundering
across very dangerous frontiers.
could see him glance about. with
his eyebrows up.
when learned the nature of this -
er-this rather aromatic resort natur-
ally concluded there were better places
than Tiernan's for a young lady &c
spend her midnights!"
And you came to lead me away?'
prompted
Il ventured to hope that might h.
of some slight help to you" he
amended.
But. you see, I'm much more used
to this sort of thing than you are" !
these are my friends" added with an
|
tators OF our interview.
Poor old thick-headed Wrinkle con
templated them quite without fear, and
equally without appreciation.
Then I'm glad I'm here" he an
ounced with unqualified heartiness.
who ees this mani" asked Pareto
slanting an arrogant eye at my dress
suited champion.
I'D rather know who you are" wa
Wrinkles quick retort, for I must con
fess that neither your face nor YOU
manners particularly appeal to me-"
1t was then that Gas House Aggio
spoke for the first time. She spoke
quickly, and in a voice shriIl with ap-
prehension. for Pareto had half-risen
to his feet in sort of cat-like crouch
Don't start nuttin' wit that cuff
shooter!" she cried out. with her in
tent eyes fixed on Pareto's.
'I should be inclined to endorse the
advice" Wrinkle went on with the bray-
cry of ignorance, especially as I've
taken the trouble to station Captain
Oh1ey and three of his men just outside
that door" Then he turned to me
with his most casual .drawing-room
manner. And before the music begins
I'd like to know what your interest ia
in this individual
Winl1ie. I felt sure, misread the
meaning Of my gasp. Still again he
was proving to me how terribly out oi
place he was in that environment. He
had no comprehension of his perils He
quite failed to see how futile were
those four policemen who waited
somewhere around the corner. Fo7
there are occasions when an officer out
of sight is an officer out of action. And
/ xuhe he
Tiernan's, it usually started without ar
overture. 1t was apt to be a case OF
cold steel in the dark, or a blackjack
from behind, or the quick bark OF 2
pistol and a duck for cover.
Remembering these things, I looked
Wrinkle in the eye and hbbed to him
I hbbed to save him from his owr
stupid honesty.
Listen" I said to Wrinkle. my in.
terest in this man is a very important
one. He cannot and must not be inter.
fered with. am perfectly safe here
And IL you truly want to help me, al
you say, you can do so by going quie.l,
out through that door. putting your
Captain friend and his men in youl
car, and carrying them back where the,
belong"
Wrinkles stare locked with mine. HI,
|
I'm sorry." he retorted. but can
see it that way. II this hole isn't SAT,
enough for me, it isn't safe enough To-
you. And 1 prefer being where YOU
are"
For the second time Pareto took 1
upon himself to interrupt:
''Whata claim ave you On this,
girl?" he demanded of ,winkie. with .
gesture that airily bracketed me Il
with that king of diamond thieves.
Unfortunately, nonei" was Winkfe'
altogether unexpected reply.
e Pareto's sagacious eyes looked hin
{ over
j You Iowa herl" 1t was neither al
Il Interrogation nor a statement But
, was utterly with a sneer. with a toucl
= of mockery that brought the blood Z
e my cheeks.
j Il think I do was Wrinkles quite
, unlooked-for statement. Yet had n
chance to mediate over that state
I ment. for Pareto was speaking again
] and speaking with grim earnestness.
;. Then the besta ting you can do ee
h to TAXA her queeck outa herel TAX
t her when you hava the chance, o
e something will 'aopen. Meester Mar
I wen you will have the chance n
G morei"
Z But I have something to say abou
= that" quickly commended.
= Pareto swung about on me. He wa
:. moro excited than had imagined.
= 'Leesteni"
s But it was Winkfred Ealand who Gu
Il in this time
: Don't imagine that this Dago'
4 threats are in the least disturbing t
n me-" he announced as he sat back i
9 his chair. The latter said somethia
s in italian. which / couldn't understand
e over his shoulder. What that messay
l, was remained unknown to me. But
:. noticed that a wide shouldered yout
= who had appeared to be browsing owe
5 a bottle of Chianti at the table next I
/ ours sided quietly out of his chat
j and drifted like a shadow down be
= tween the serried tables.
/ Pareto. in the meantime. cat leanin
y forward. staring at Gas-House Agzi.
= His body was poised there, so tens