Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-07-08

of dawning, tho puzzled conlprehen-
his lips thinned. He drew IDS hand
still further back until it shovered
over the handle of the desk middle
drawer. His eyes, on Calhoun, were
narrowing.
You devil" he rasped out sudden
lN This is your work. | was u fool
that did not see it at first.'
Calhoun's face went white.
What do you mean?" he said
thickly.
What l say" Kirschell's voice
none too steadily in his chair
Then you lie!" said Calhoun
fiercely. You leland il you weren't
hurt, I'd"
mo. you Wouldn't" kirschel had
whipped the drawer open, and,
snatching out a revolver, was cover
ing Calhoun. He laughed a little
bitterly. I'm not SO bad that can't
take care OF myself. 1t was pretty
clever, I'll give you credit fer that
You almost fooled me-"
Damn you." snarled Calhoun. do
you mean to say I've got your cash
boX?"
oh, no." said Kirschell q can
see you haven't. / don't even know
which of YOU two struck me. But |
do know that you and the man who
has my cash box worked Up this
plant together"
OF u
lnsiy-only to retreat again before
the lifted muzzle of the revolver.
You're fool" he snarled. you've
nothing on me!'
Thats for the police to decide" re-
turned kirschell evenly 1T would
nave been pleasant way of dispos-
ing of that note, wouldn't tiff YOU
hadn't under rated me. And your pal
Tor MS share, | dare say, was to take
MS chance on whatever might be in
the cash box! Why did you say YOU
couldn't come until night, when |
Z gave you until to-day as the last day
In which to settle? Why did you in
sist on my indorsing the payment on
the note, which necessitated my
opening the safe and taking ont the
cash box in which you knew the note
was kept, for you saw me put it
thefe a week ago, when you first
came here? And just after I was
knocked down I heard your accom-
pllce Whisper: All right, I've got it,
It's possible the police might form the
same opinion l have as to whom
those words were addressed"
Calhoun's face had grown whittier.
Its a lie!" he said scarcely above
whisper. TITS lie! 1 had nothing
to do with it,"
Il want my three thousand dol
lars!" kirschell's lips We're set He
held red-stained handkerchief 10 his
cheek. IF I call the police now
they'll get you--but it's your accom-
plice that's got my money And it's
my money that I want! I'll give you
half an hour to go get him, and bring
the money back here--and leavr the
police out Of it. If you're not here in
mat time, [ put it UP to the Police
Half an hour is time enough to find
your pal; and it's not time enough for
you to attempt to leave the city--and
get very far" Kirschell laid his
watch on the desk. YOU'D better go
i mean half an hour from. now"
Calhoun hung hesitant for a mo-
ment, staring at the muzzle of Kir-
schelrs revolver. He made as tho to
say something-and instead, abru pity,
with short, Earring laugh, turne on
his heel, and passed out of the room
The Hawk was already edgine: his
way along the wall toward the corri-
dor door.
Three thousand dollars!"--the
Hawk rolled the words like so many
dainty morsels on his tongue, as he
communed with himself. 81 guess it's
my play to stick to Mr.. Calhoun!''
(To be continued.)