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

men--'T think you had better go
now"
"Go?" repeated Calhoun, somewhat
bewilderedly.
Yes" supplemented the Hawk AS
far as you are concerned, you are
clear and out of this now. Stay out
of 1t, and say nothing--that's the best
thing you can do
We'll. that suits me- said Calhoun
with wry smile. IL Mr.. kir-
schell-"
Exactly! see!" approved the
Hawk. 1T does you credit. But Mr.
kirschell and l are quite capable of
settling with these two; and you Gun
thank Mr.. Kirscheli further to-mor-
row IL you like--when I'm not here!
Now--if you please!"
Calhoun turned and walked to the
door. His footsteps echoed back from
the general office. Then the Corridor
door closed behind him.
The Hawk addressed the two
masked men.
/ Last night" remarked the Hawk
gently, ut was the Butcher and to-
night It is--pardon me"-he was close
In front Of the two now, and. with n
jerk. snatched the masks from their
faces-"Whitie Jim, and the Bantam!
Well. might have known from the
Butcher! You are all out OF the same
kind Of cocoons The poor old simp
at the head of your gang is sure
stuck with moth eaten lot! He's
sure collected a bunch OF ieft-overs!
Why. say. back there in New York
where q real crook couldn'S keep the
grin off his face every tine he met
you. even the police had you pas sed
up as harmless cripples!"
you go to blazes!" growled the
Bantam, with an oath. you'll sing
thru the other side of your mouth for
this yet"
you are not nice to me, Bantam"
said the Hawk. In pained voice.
4 You don't appreciate what I'm dong
for you. 1t was a piker game you
/ tried to hand Calhoun: but even at
that, wouldn't have queered it II It
would have helped you work out. a
few, more little deals, SO that could
skim the cream off them. But it
wouldn't! don't see what you gain
by interfering with the telegraph
lines. but I'll let you in on something.
I've been keeping an eye on Mac
! Vightie because Macvightie's been
keeping an eye on me, and over
heard him talking to the superintend-
ent tonight. MacVightie's got an idea
that Calhoun's fooling with the wires
now. See where you would have
been? II Calhoun had ever got start
ed on the real thing, some of you
would have been nipped--and, say.
there's nothing like that going to
happen II can help It! You and
your crowd are too valuable TO me to
take any chances of your getting in
wrong anywhere. I'm not wrinsing
the neck OF the goose that lays my
golden eggs! Tell that to the guy
that's supposed to have the brains of
your outfit, will you? And you might
add that don't want any thanks.
I'm getting well paid"
you'll get paid. curse you!" The
Bantam's voice was hoarse with fury.
You butted In once too often last
night. The Butcher warned you.
There amt any more warnings.
You've got the drop Oh us here to-
night. but"
tits getting late" said the Hawk
YEARLY. "And I'm sure Mr.. Kirsethell
agrees with me that 1t is about time
| to produce that cash box-do you not,
Mr.. Kirschell?"
1 Kirschell made no reply
The Hawk smiled-unhappily.
IT don't think you put it back in
the safe-I see that the door is wide
Open, "A drawer in the desk, then.
perhaps? Ah-would you,,",ea There
was sudden deadly GOODNESS in the
Hawks voice. The Bantam had edged
around the corner of the desk. IF
any of you move another inch, I'll
drop you as quick as I'd drop a mad
dog! Now then--if the Cricket will
oblige? I'll give him until count
three. One-two--''
| Damn you! Kirschelrs face was
livid and contorted. He wrenched a
lower drawer open, and flung the
cash box on the desk.
1.-THE Butcher, White Jim. the
Bantam. and the Cricket murmured
the Hawk, "It's good to see old New
York faces out here, even if you do
size up luxe bush -leaguers trying to
bust into high society. You can take
that towel off, If you like Cricket,
1t doesn't become you particularly
and, as you've washed off the heart
rending effect of that little bag of
liquid stain you smashed over your
temple, I'm sure you'll look less like
q comic opera star! No? Well,
please yourself!" The Hawk was
coolly transferring the contents Of the
cash box to his pockets with his left
hand. These papers," unused the
Hawk deliberately aloud, appear to
be some securities you lifted on that
Pullman car raid. Rather neat idea,
this, establishing this office-sort of
a clearing house, I take 1t, for the
gangs drag loans, mortgages
and general exchanged take back
part Of what said-this shows
first faint glimmer OF brains. Well.
keep the office going, your interets
| are mine! You'll notice that 1 was
considerate enough to get Calhoun
out of the way before the show,
unanimous even, Cricket II admire
you! Calhoun'l swear Mr.. Kirschell
Is the squarest man on earth--and
don't forget that's another little debt
OF gratitude you owe the Hawk
Three thousand dollars!" The H awks
pockets were bullying. Must have
been what you separated some. one
from when wasn't looking! Glad
you weren't stingy with your bait for
Calhoun! I heard today that Mr..
Kirschell kept a good deal Of cash in
his safe. but had no idea that Mr..
Kirschell was the Cricket-not till