Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-07-10

4 ID
Kirschell was huddled in his chair
His little black eyes We're no longer
restless--they were fixed in n sort
o. terrified fascination on the speaker
yes" He licked his lips again
Eyes, IL understand" he mumbled
From his pocket the Hawk took a
mask. which he slipped over his face:
and from his pocket he took his auto
matte.
n don't think he believes YOU
snsored the second masked man. with
q wicked grin. Perhaps mabbe we'd
better twist his windpipe little. just
to show him in friendly way that
there amt any mistake about it--ehy
| mo. MOI" Kirschell's voice was full
of fear. mo, no! believe--I--'
His words ended in a choked scream.
The mans hands had shot swiftly
out and closed on kirschell's throat
He was shaking, twisting, and turn
ing Kirschells head from side to
side. His companion laughed brutal
ly. Came a series OF cultural means
from Kirschell---and Kirschell's body
began to slip Imply down in his
chair.
Calhoun had gone white to the lips.
''Stop 1t! My God stop IT." he burst
out frantically. you promised me
sou wouldn't do him any harm"
| you mind your own business! ("
snarled the man with the revolver.
I'VE know how to handle his breed.
Give him enough to hold him for a
while, Jim! We"
Drop that revolver! Drop it!''
The Hawk was standing in the door
| way.
There was startled oath from the
leader of the two men as he whirled
around, q gasp as he faced the
Hawks automatic-and his weapon
clattered to the floor. The other, in
a stunned way, still hung over Kir-
schell. but his hands had relaxed
their hold on Kirschells throat.
THANK you'll" drawled the Hawk
Il must say / agree with Mr.. Call
houn. It's not a pleasant sight to
watch a man being throttled." His
voice rang suddenly cold. "You
there," His automatic indicated the
man beside Kirschell. stand back
at the end OF the desk. and put up
your hands!"
Calhoun had not moved. He was
staring numbly at the Hawk Kir-
schell, making cultural sounds, was
clawing at his throat.
mr.. Calhoun" requested the Hawk
coolly, '.as happen to know that you
have little reason, to love either of
these two gentlemen. will you be good
enough to pick up that revolver and
hand 1t to met"
Calhoun stopped mechanically and
extended 1t to the Hawk.
| "And now our friend over there
| with his hands UP. Mr.. Calhoun"
purred the Hawk. you will find two
in his pockets-his own, and Mr.. Kir-
schells. Mr.. Kirschell, I am sure, is
already fairly well convinced that you
are In no way connected with the
| robbery Of his cash box, and I am
equally sure that in no way could you
better dispel any lingering doubts he
might still entertain than by helping
to draw these gentlemen's teeth
Calhoun laughed q little grfmly.
Il don't know who you are," he said
his lips set, as he started toward the
man, but guess you're right. I'd
like to see them get what's coming TO
them"
Quite sol" said the Hawk pleas
antly. He accepted the two remain
Ing revolyers from Calhoun: and from
his pocket produced his skeleton keys.
He handed them to Calhoun, desig-
mating one OF the keys on the ring.
"One more request Mr.. Calhoun" he
said. II entered by the door that
opens on the corridor from this other
office here. WNl you please lock II:
and, on your way back. also lock this
connecting door thru which l have
just come in--the key of the latter,
noticed. Is in the lock-"
Calhoun nodded, took the keys, and
stepped quickly from the room. Kir-
schell, evidently. not seriously hurt
from the handling he had received,
tho still choking little and clearing
his throat with short coughs, was re-
garding the Hawk with questioning
stare.i The eyes OF the other two
men were on the Hawks revolver.
The shorter Of the two men suddenly
raised a clenched fist.
1.-THE Hawk!" he flashed out furi-
ously. ''You cursed snitch! You'll
wish you were dead before we're thru
with your"
$50 the Butcher told me last night"
The Hawk smiled plaintively. Move
Il little closer together, you two-yes
like that, at the far end OF the desk
beside each other. Thank you! You
are much easier to cover that way"
Calhoun returned. locking the con-
meeting door behind him. and handed
the door key, together with the key
ring, back to the Hawk.
The Hawk moved forward to the
desk. He was alert, quick ominous
now. The drawl, the pleasantly was
gone.
"Out there in the hail." he said
coldly, II heard Mr.. Calhoun refuse to
take back his note-from thief.
Youths revolver muszle Jerked to-
ward the short mainland it QUIT"
The man reached viciously into his
pocket, and tossed the note on the
desk.
The Hawk pushed it toward Kir-
schell.
Mr.. Kirschell," he said quietly,
you no doubt had good reasons for 1t
but you have none the less falsely
accused Mr.. Calhoun. Furthermore,
Mr.. Calhoun has been instrumental
in laying these two who have con-
fessed by the heels. Under the cir
cumstances, If you are the man
think you are, you will tear that up"
Kirschell fingered the note for an
inst,~t He locked f"c~- ralh~-..> 20
the Hawk and hack at Calho,lr, a seai,