Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-07-09

so much the better! It'll save trip
to his house. Now, see here, CAL
houn. let this sink int" He put his
hand In his pocket and drew out a
slip Of paper. Here's your note. 1t
was on the desk where Kirschell was
writing on it, and pinched it when
I pinched the cash box. We didn't
figure we were going to make the
haul we did tonight-we were after
you. But there's some money in
that cash box, as you saw yourself.
Here's the idea: Kirschell's read a
thing or two about what's going on
around here-enough to make him
know that there amt much our gang
will stop at. If YOU say you're with
us, me and my pal'll go in there and
throw the fear of God into him. Do
you get It? He'll think himself
lucky to get off by keeping his mouth
shut about tonight when he finds out
who he's up against. Also you get
the note back, and share of the
cash-and more to come later on"
"No!" Calhoun cried out. mo. I
am no thief"
All right" agreed the other indif-
ferently. That's one side of it. Here's
the other: Kirschell certainly be-
lieves you took 1t. He's shark all
right. and he thinks more of his
money than he does of anything else
or he wouldn't have given you the
chance he did. But when you don't
show back there with the coin, he'll
take the only other hope he's got Of
getting his money and turn on the
police tap-see? What are you going
to do then? Make break for it, or
let 'em get you? Well, 1t doesn't mat
ter which. This note. and chunk OF
the cash gets mailed tonight-and the
police get tipped off to watch your
mail in the morning. Kind of rea-
sonable, isn't 1t? Your pal, not being;
able to find you. and not tumblins.
to the fact that the police have GOT
You until too late, comes across with
your share like an honest little man.
l think you said something about
proof, Calhoun? And l think told
You before that we didn't do things
by halves. How about that on top
OF kirschell's story--do you think it
would cinch jury. or do you think
they'd believe little fairy story you
might tell them, say. about meeting
me? Does it look any more like
twenty years than it did?"
There was sudden agony in CAL
houn's face
My God!" he whispered You
YOU wouldn't do that p
The man made no answer. He still
held the note in his hand--but in the
other now he carelessly dangled a
revolver.
you wouldn't! You Wouldn't"
Calhoun's voice was broken now. 1--WE
wife and children and-my God,
what am to do?' sote
THAT half hour kirschell gave vol,
is slipping along" suggested. the other
uncompromisingly. Here's the note,
and there's easy money waiting for
you."
Calhoun turned on the other like a
man demented.
DO you think I'd touch that cash.
Or touch that MOTEL owe it! I may
not have been able to pay it--but
owe it,"
"Oh. well, suit yourself as to that,
too!' said the man cynically. Its
the other thing we want. What's the
wife and kids you're talking about
going to do If you go up for twenty
years?"
Calhoun, with miserable cry, bur
led his face In hts hands.
Theme was siIence--a minute
dragged by.
Well?" prompted the man CURLY.
Calhoun dropped his hands. met the
others eyes for an instant--and
turned his head away.
"Ah. I thought you would" said
the man calmly. MY pal ought to be
back by now. and as soon as he comes
We'll go In there and hand Kirschell
his little jolt, and" He stopped.
There was a light ,rapping on the. en-
trance door. Here he is now!
"Well--'
The Hawk was retreating back
along the corridor. Again he opened
the door of what he had designated
to himself as the secretarys office,
and for the second time thot night
stepped silently into the room. closing
the door behind him. The sound of
running water came from Kirschelrs
private office, but there was no other
sound--the Hawk made none as he
once more gained his place of van
tage behind the desk. Kirschell was
bending over the washbowl, his back
turned, bathing his temple and face.
and now, strengthening UP, he bound
a towel tightly around his head.
The Hawk watched the proceedings
impassively, his head, in that bird
like. listening attitude, cooked on one
shoulder toward the outer door. But
this time kirschell, too. heard them
for he turned, and, as the corridor
floor opened. started toward his desk.
He reached it and sat down, as CAL
houn entered the room.
"Ah, hal" snapped kirscheu tri-
$50 you've thought better
of 1t, have you? l imagined you
would! Well, where the The
words seemed to freeze on his lips;
there was a sudden terror in his face.
"What-what does this mean?" he
fa)tered.
Two masked men, the one who had
been with Calhoun in the corridor.
and a taller, more heavily built man,
had stepped in behind Calhoun, and
were advancing toward the desk.
The short man pointed revolver
at Kirschelrs head.
Calhoun says he keeps gun in
the middle drawer Of the desk,' he
to his companion. Get it,"
The other, leaning over, pulled the
drawer open and. appropriating Kir-
schell's revolver, stuck it in his pock-