Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-05-10

| NOW QlO you get away
| Paroles waved his hand.
Later, Mr.. Graham. There is
hack driver outside who is even more
suspicious than you. He wants to
be paid. asked Rawlins to drive
me back, but he rushed from the
courthouse. probably to telephone his
rotund superior, Fact is, this fellow
wants five dollars-an outrageous
rate. I've told him so--but 1t doesn't
do any good. SO will you lend me.
Bobby"
| Bobby handed him bank note He
didn't miss Ora hams meaning glance.
Paredes gave the money to the but
Ter.
PAY him, win you. Jenkins?
Thanks
He surveyed the remains of
Bobby's breakfast He sat down.
May 1? Ny breakfast was early,
and prison food. when you're not in
the habit"
Bobby tried to account for Pa
redes' friendly manner. That he
should have come back at all was
sufficiently strange. but it was hard
err to understand why he should ex-
press no resentment for his treat
ment yesterday, why he should fail
to refer to Bobby's questions at the
moment OF his arrest, or to the
openly expressed enmity Of Graham.
Only one theory promised to fit at
all. It was necessary for the Pana-
manian to return to the Cedars. His
purpose. whatever it was, compelled
him to remain for the present in the
mournful. tragic house. Therefore,
he would crush his justifiable anger.
He would make 1t practically impos-
sible for Bobby to refuse his hos
pitality. And he had asked for
money-only tl'ifling sum. yet Gra-
ham would grasp at the fact to sup
port his earlier suspicion.
Paroles arrival possessed one vir-
tue: It diverted Bobby's thoughts
temporarily from his own dilemma,
from his inability to chart a course.
Graham. on the other hand, was Ill
at ease. Beyond doubt he was dis
armed by Paroles good humor. For
him yesterdays incident was not 20
lightly to be passed over. Eventually
his curiosity conquered. The words
came. nevertheless, with some Diff
ficulty: S
I'VE scarcely expected you back"
His laugh was short and embar-
raised.
I'VE took it for granted you would
find 1t necessary to stay in Smith
town for a while"
Paroles slipped the coffee which
Jenkins had poured.
Splendid coffee! You should
have tasted what had this morn
ing. Simple enough. Mr.. Graham.
telephoned as soon AZ Rawlins got
me to the Bastille. I communicated
with the lawyer who represents the
company for which once worked.
He's a prominent and brilliant man.
He planned It with some local fell
low. When was arraigned at the
opening of court this morning the
Judge could hold me only as q ma
terial witness. He fixed q pretty
stiff bail, but the local lawyer was
there with a bontisman, and came
back. My clothes are here. You
don't mind, Bobby"
That moment In the hall when
Graham had awakened him urged
Bobby to reply with q genuine
warmth:
Il don't mind. I'm glad you're out
Of 1t. I'm sorry you went as you did.
was tired, at my wits end. Your
presence in the private staircase was
the last straw. You will forgive us.
Carlos.
Paroles smiled. He put down his
coffee cup and lighted cigaret. He
smoked with a vast contentment
That's better. Nothing to forgive,
Bobby. Let us call 1t misunder-
standing
Graham moved closer.
Perhaps you'll tell us now what
you were doing in the private stair
case"
Paroles blew wreath of smoke.
His eyes still smiled, but his voice
was harder:
.Bygones are bysones. Isn't that
SO. Bobby7"
"since you wish it." Bobby said.
But more important than the
knowledge Graham desired. doomed
the old question. What was the
mans game? What held him there?
Robinson entered. The flesh
around his eyes was puffier than it
had been yesterday. Worry had in
creased the homogeneous discomfort
Of his round face. Clearly he had
slept little.
II saw you arrive" he said. Raw
Inns warned me. But must say
didn't think you'd use your freedom
to come to U.S."
Paroles laughed.
"since the law won't hold me at
your convenience in Smithtown l
keep myself at your service here-if
Bobby permits it. Could you ask
more?"
Bobby shrank from the man with
whom he had idlei away SO much
time and money. That fleeting, sa-
tanic impression OF yesterday came
back, sharper, more alarming. Pa
redes' clear challenge to the district
attorney was the measure of his
strength. His mind was subtler than
theirs. His reserve and easy daring
mastered them all and always, as
now he laughed at the futility of
their efforts to sound his purposes.
to limit his freedom of action. Bobby
didn't care to meet the uncommuni-
cative eyes whose depths he had
never been able to explore. Was
there special power there that
could control the destinies OF other
people, that might make men walk
| unconsciously to accomplish the ends