Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-07-26
FRANK L. PACKARD

+ Y ~. &10tQ mo h0us
Etc. Etc.
The Frenchman reached for 1t Gag
rly.
I. The Hawk drew it back.
"One moment, please. Doctor Meu-
aier!" he murmured. You recognize
You are satisfied that it is your
lbe of radium7"
Yes. yes--mon Dieu! But, yes!"
And 1t is worth. you say, hun
red thousand dollars?"
"But, yes, l tell you!" cried the
'renchInan. "a hundred thousand
certainly, 1t IL worth that!''
Quite sol" said the Hawk placid
". Therefore, Doctor Meunier, a
comparatively small sum-eh?-you
would be willing to pay that-a sum,
| might add, that would be quite
within your means.
Quite within my means?" repeat
ed the Frenchman a little dazedly.
eyes, said the Hawk sweetly.
And to be specific. let US say
whatever 10 In your pocketbook."
Tho Frenchman drew back in his
chair. His face blanched.
'You--you mean to rob mel" he
exclaimed hoarsely.
I do not see it quite in that light"
The Hawks voice was panied. But
we will not discuss the ethics in
volved we probably should not
agree. did not steal your precious
capsule from you, and am return
ng 1t. not, might say without hav-
ing incurred considerable personal
risk In SO doing. Perhaps we might
better agree IL we called it--a re-
ward. q5
mol" said the Frenchman desper-
ately.
The Hawks automatic tapped the
table top with hint OF petulance.
'And--and what guarantee have
L. the Frenchman burst out. that
you will give me the tube after you
have taken my money!?
My word" said the Hawk evenly.
"'And--I am waiting. Doctor Meu-
nier!"
The Frenchman hesitated, then.
with an oath, flung his pocketbools
upon the table. The Hawk opened
1t, extracted the wad of bills that he
had seen exhibited in the superinten-
dents office, smiled as he fingered
them, and put them in his pocket.
He pushed the lead capsule across
the table-and suddenly, as the other
reached for it, the Hawk was on his
feet, his automatic flung forward,
his left hand grasping the others
sleeve.
They held dat way for an instant,
eying each other--the Hawks left
hand slowly pushing back the 9TH
er's right hand sleeve. And then the
Hawks eyes shifted--to d long. Jag
ged. white scar on the bare forearm
Just above the wrist
"Shall ! introduce myself-Parson
Joe?" purred the Hawk.
The others face was a notified
red--it deepened to purple.
mo, blast you'll" he said between
ms teeth. II know you-but didn't
think you knew me- So you called
the turn when the Bantam followed
me-ehT'
The Hawk shook his head.
Il never saw you in my life before
today" he said grimly: and. If it
will do you any good to know 1t, 1
fell for that radium plant-,lntil you
telephoned the Butcher half an hour
ago"
...And how did you know me,
them The other flung the question
fiercely,
Again the Hawk shook his head.
He had no desire that Parspn Joe
should know he had been on the
Limited that morning Parson Joe
might possess an inconveniently re-
tentive memory for faces and he,
the Hawk. did not always wear q
mask.
Maybe guessed 1t, Parson!" he
said insolently. II must have-it
was the only thing that wasn't in
the paper! What encyclopedia did
you yet that 'Becquefel burn dope
out OF? And was the reporter LYNX.
or how did you work 1t to get him
on the train?"
Parson Joe was leaning forward
over the table, lingering the lead
capsule. He suddenly crushed it
with blow of his fist, twisted it in
two. and hurled the pieces across the
floor
We got him UP the line on a fake
that didn't come Off" he snarled.
There was an instant's silence.
then the Hawk spoke. ,,
Nice. amiable crowd, you are,
Parson!" The Hawks voice was
silken. I'm Just beginning to ap-
preciate you. Let's see! You had to
pull story that any newspaper
would Jump at and feature, didn't
you? And you had to have big
enough bait to make sure I'd rise TO
It, And you had to account for the
celebrated Doctor Meunier's Iayover
in Selkirki and. not expecting I'd
pick up the trail quite so quickly.
say, not until after the paper had
been out little longer and YOU had
made another batting trip or two to
Lanson's office. you had to account
FOR the famous gentleman's enforced
stay thru the night IL necessary; and
It gave . big swing to the story, and
let you work your stunt for the spe.
cial train that you knew you couldn't
set; and you figured I'd be even
more sure to see 1t In the paper IL Il
was connected with some pleasant
little episode of yours-and 50, on
several counts, you blew up the
bridge"
The mans teeth were clamped to-
gether.
Tes!" he choked. And we'd blow
a dozen more to get you!"
You flatter mel" said the Hawk
dryly. SIN afraid I've put Won ia