The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-21
Iropped my, clothes line into IL.

4
dropped my clothes line into II.
you've got to be doorman for this
little sideshow." told her. as 1 gave
my final instructions and then stepped,
bag In hand, into the abode of ticking
clocks, presided over by Max Kishin-
ger.
The latter was leaning across the
plate-giass top OF his showcases as ]
advanced. with my right hand releasing
the three snaps in my. waist-front
where my holster hung.
saw that Kinsirger was the only
person in the place, and I also saw
that Toosey had carried out her in
structions and quietly closed the door
and locked 1t with its spring catch
But still the man leaning over the
! plate glass showcase betrayed no in
terest in that quiet invasion.
| Mr.. Kishinger." said. speaking as
calmly as l could, II want you to keep
cool, and act quickly. Things haven't
gone right. and our whole coup de-
ponds on the next ten. miuutesl''
Say, lady, what're you raving about
anyway" he YEARLY demanded. He
was, could see, an uncommonly good
| actor.
"a New York bull tailed Humpy jan
sen to Moran's stable here and has him
rounded up. Both Brescher and older
shaw are being Swallowed over there
at the L.antry House. and Citrate Sans
had to duck back to Oakville. 1t means
selves, ana put it-through on the run"
What job?" he asked. still guarded,
as he stood there rolling his eyes be-
tween me and the shop front.
The Job of cleaning out that safe
and getting away with the stuff ]
told him.
1t wasn't until I spoke that he MOTTO
ed my automatic pointing across the
infinitely scratched top of his show
ease.
What t'hel is this. anyway" he de-
manded. squirting down at the auto
matte.
made an impatient signal to Toosey.
Bring that work-chair out from be-
hind the watch bench there! And
you, Mister Kishingey. just step out
from behind that counter. with your
hands up. And sit down in that chair.
Now. Toosey, quick. tie him there. The
arms behind him first. And now the
feet. Each foot to a chair leg, as close
as you can truss 'em. No, Toosey don't
put in that gag until we've made sure
Breseher was right about the safe door
being left open. 80. All. yes; see he
was quite right. So you can give him
that nice big knot to bite on. Tie
it close behind the ears"
For by THIS time I had the safe doors
swung back and was on my knees, lift
ing, the orderly pile of stope trays into
my open suitcase beside me, Then
came the pearls. Brescher's pearls, in
a case of French kid. and several
chamois bags. -e7t-r
"Toosey." called out to the girl still
on guard you slip out and see IL you
can find taxi Have 'em wait AZ the
first size street corner. as'
I slowed the last OF my haul in the
waiting suitcase. and then carefully
locked the safe doors.
The circus procession was already
numbering past as stepped out
through the door and quietly closed
it after me.
I peered- cautiously out along that
preocupied street before daring to
venture into the open. Standing in
the shadow of the doorway. half way
between me and the corner. was tall
and melancholy figure. intently watch
ing the cab which Toosey had station
ed there for my escape. 1t was CITRATE
Sam.
1 took a firmer grip of my suitcase
handle and sided away from that tell
tale door. keeping close in under the
shadow of the shop fronts and at every
step watching Curate Sam over my
shoulder. Just then he turned about
squinted up the sunlit street. and
| caught sight of me- The next moment
he started in pursuit And as he did SO
/ could see his hand swing back to his
hip pocket with a motion which sent
an army of mice scanpering up my
spinal column
had to think quickly. And also
had to act quickly. At that moment a
| Roman chariot was shaking and clut-
| tering along the center of Main street
1t was, drawn by four bespangled
horses. side by side. 1t was painted q
Pompeian red. with broad gilt stripes
that flashed in the dusty sunlight. In
the chariot stood the driver. in a now
ing toga o. blue and white cotton.
And the sight of him, enthroned there
above the populace. gave me an idea
So caught my breath and pushed
bodily through the street crowd. A
small cheer of derision went up from
the crowd as I leaped hurriediy, yet
] determinediy. on the open lip of that
/ Pompeian red chariot and pushed in
beside the classic figure in the flowing
toga-
"Git out o. here!" commanded the
statesque figure in white-and- blue cot
| ton, without SO much as turning
glance in my direction. 'Gitl" But
with one hand I eiung to my suitcase
and with the other chung to the lac
quered rim of the chariot-box. The
four horses. could see, were spirited
animals. II was taking about all o,
their drivers attention to hold them
down to their duly appointed pace in
that long line OF dust-crowded color
and noise. knew what might harper
at any moment could see that tai
and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. figure as il
strobe along the fringe, of the. street
| crowd, with Its eye always on me.
Don't let him get mel" walled
aloud. In sob which 1 made no ef-
fort to control. "Oh, don't let him get
mel"
Let who git your" demanded the