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

Damn II, uOIl play tHe SIidtks MAR
kof renewed the note-why can't
your
Because / don't do business that
way" said Kirschell CURLY.
Calhoun's voice grew hard.
"How much did you pay for that
note, anway?"
kirschell shrugged his shoulders.
II didn't say l wasn't taking any
risks with you." he replied tersely.
That's the profit on my risk. And
as far as you are concerned--it's none
of your business!"
Calhoun shrugged his shoulders in
turn, and, taking small roll of bills
from his pocket, smoothed them out
between his fingers.
Il got wife. and I got kids" said
Calhoun slowly. And I'm doing the
best can. Do you want this forty, or
notY'
1T depends said kirschell, tapping
again with his paper cutter. How
about the rest?'
I'm pay you what l can every
month" Calhoun answered.
How much ?"-bluntly.
What l can!" returned Calhoun
defiantly.
The two men eyed each other for
motnent-7and then Kirschell tossed
the PAPER cutter down on the desk. s
We'll, all right" he decided I'M
graciously. ''lll take a chance for n
month--and see how you live up to
1t. Hand it over, and I'll give you a
receipt"
Calhoun shook his head.
II don't trust the man who don't
trust me- he said sruffly. Il don't
want that kind of a receipt. You'll
indorse the payment on the back of
the note, Mr.. Iiirschell, If you want
this forty
WHAT" inquired Kirschell. staring.
You heard what | said" said Call
houn cody. I'm In the hands of a
shark, and | know it. That's plain
talk. isn't it?',
But" kirschell flared up angrily.
q"
Calhoun calmly returned the money
to his pocket.
Suit yourself!" he suggested indif-
ferently, II amt asking for anything
more than / have a right to-
Very well. my mani" said Kir-
schell icily. IF our dealings are to
be on this basis. hope you will re-
member that the basis is of your own
Choosing" He swung around in his
chair. and, rising, walked over to the
safe. @
And then, for the first time, the
Hawk moved. He edged silently
back along the floor until far enough
away from the doorway to be fully
protected by the darkness of the room
and stood up. Kirschell was swing
ing the heavy door Of the safe open.
The cash box was to be produced!
Lying down, the Hawk could not hope
to see its contents If it were opened
on the desk; standing up, he might
be able to form a very good idea of
how tempting it's contents would
prove'to be.
Kirsche'l took out a black -enam-
elled steel box from the safe, and re-
turned to the desk. He opened this
with a key, threw back the cover
and the Hawk stuck his tongue in his
cheek. A few papers lay on the top
--otherwise 1t was crammed to over
flowing with banknotes. Kirschell
selected one of the papers, and picked
up pen in frigid silence.
But the Hawk was no longer
watching the scene. His head was
cooked to one side, in a curious, bird
like. listening attitude. He could have
sworn he had heard the outer office
door being stealthily opened. And now
Calhoun was speaking-rapidly, his
voice raised noticeably in louder
tone than any he had previously en-
ployed.s
II amt looking for trouble, Mr.. Kir-
schell," he stated hurriedly, as tho re-
lenting. land | don't want you to
think am, but
There was a sharp cry from kir-
schell. The room was in darkness
Came a quick step running in from
the outer office, no longer stealthy
nowv5the crash OF a topping chair
"a gaspihg moan in kirschelTs voice
the thud of a falling body-a tense
whisper: "All right, I've got it,
then the steps running back across
the outer office-the closing of the
corridor door-silence.
The Hawk, grim-lipped, had backed
up against the wall of the room.
Calhoun's voice rose hoarsely:
Good God, what's happened!
Where's the electric light switch?"
Kirschell answered him family:
"At-at the side of the door-just-
outside the partition"
The lights went on again, and the
Hawk leaned intently forward. CAL
houn was standing now in the door
way between the outer and the pri-
Vate office, his eyes, fixed on Kir-
schell. The swivel chair had been
overturned; and Kirschell, a great
crimson stream running down his
cheek from above his temple, was
struggling to his knees, clutching at
the edge of the desk for support. The
cash box was gone.
Kirschells eyes swept the top of
the desk haggardly, as tho hoping
against hope. He gained his feet
lurching unsteadily. A crimson drop
splashed to the desk.
MY chair!" he cried out weakly.
"Help me-"
Calhoun stepped forward mechan-
fically, and picked up the chair. Kir-
schell dropped into it.
You're hurt" Calhoun said huski-
~. you're badly hurt"
YES" Kirschell answered; "but it
can wait. The police first-there
was-three thousand dollars-in my
cash box" With an effort he reached
out across the desk for the telephone,
pulled 1t toward him-and, On the
point of lifting the receiver from the
hook, slowly drew back his hand. A