Evening star., 1921-07-10

! ton, that he understood how his situa-
ton might involve more than life and
death. And, perhaps, the shambling
creature outside had put the inspector
party on the wrong track.
hand. A smoky liquid did not quite
fill it. Slim turned to the others. as
suming an attitude Of mockery.
This Is the brave guy that side
tracked Simmons last summer and wore
thing. too. that. frightened women and
children. He's the bull that steered
us against the black cap yesterday.
Let's see how he likes hearing the SEN
tence read himself. Only he isn't going
to get anything as comfortable as the
| Slim drew the cork from the bottle
while his thin lips ceased to smile.
! Since you found gray mask 50 be-
coming. GARTH he snarled. cts only
one. But you'll go poor Simmons one
better. Your mask won't need any eye
holes"
Nora cried out again.
''You couldn't do It.. Garth muttered.
Beneath his rage lurked fear Of
capable. To face death would have
been so much simpler.
Whats in the bottle. slin?"
"A black cap for you. damn you!
| no peHG ClOocE.
"squirm! Those ropes and your own
handcuffs will hold you. You'll beg me
for bullet before I'm through
George twisted the girl 80 she had to
watch.
You'll think I'm moro your style In
about ten seconds"
A complete satisfaction blotted from
Sims eyes the fear he had hitherto
never quito concealed-the quiet fear of
own Inevitable destiny. Garth re-
minded him Of that. It was his last
They'll get you. Slim. They're keep
ing the chair warm for you. VIII this
help them"
"Win it hurt? I've waited for this
moment ever since You and she sent
me to rot in the Tombs. I'll pay old
scores while can
With an extreme deliberation he com
menced to tip the bottle. The fluid.
mouth. exercised for Garth q dreadful
fascination. He tried to tell himself 1t
was impossible that the tnnocent-ap-
pearing fluid in the control Of this crimi-
blackness through which. hideously
| SCARED. he must crop henceforth, a
thing repellent and past use.
The lights were centered upon his
| face It struck him as ironic that their
glare should hurt his eyes: - -.
bottle little. drop fell. Something
tortured the skin Of Garth's cheek. 1t
was as II an iron at white heat had
been applied against his flesh with q
strong pressure. The stun was real
Again Slim moved the bottle slug
gishly, so that the liquid. ready to
trickle out. was directly above Garth's
eyes. Nora reached and closed her
hands about the mouth. ,
get burnt
you see. George won't stand for
that" Slim said slyly. .,,,
mo. no. slim!" Nora whispered. TIL
bargain"
gain." George scoffed.
"You don't think" Garth muttered.
''that was fool enough to follow that
trail without covering myselfr'
THAT doesn't affect me-" Slim grin-
place no COP will ever find. Now. Nora!
"siim." she said. breathlessly. you're
not fool. You must know that can
bargain; Suppose you get elearacross
keep out Of trouble, once you were
Slim ceased pulling at her hands. He
stared at her, amazed. casting aside his
::What you talking about, Nora? I
know you're clever. but there aren't any
more MIRACLES: There's no way out of
Unless my father unlocked the
gates"
Slim started. Garth. too. answered
| to a desire almost violent. Surely Slim
would realize the hopelessness Of secur-
ing the inspectors completely, or, fail
ing that, would seek, as Garth did, for
the stratagem behind her plan.
There's no way under heaven to get
the old man to stand for that" said
Slim.
mo one else could do It, said Nora,
but you know how he loves me. /
could make him do It rs the price for
myself and Jim"
: zone things certain" Slim unused.
I'd take Garth. bound tight. some guns
and the acid along as gilt-edge securi-
| ties. Hadn't thought Of that. eh? E1-
pected to trip me, didn't you? Well.
Nora, you. have let yourself for q
hs i. sne ovsr ve gos a'osd gos this
far: the minute you played queer Garth
| would 60 blind and burnt"
You'd swear to let Jim 30 at the
borderT'
ION my oath I'd let him 20 olean."
ssNToT for . million" George broke'in
~ angrily. ''She gets herself away.
then she throws Garth down to sec US
roast in the chair. You ought to know
the skirt. Shed double cross the devil
himself"
1--WE heard in the Tombs." Slim said.
t =. T. la q u. y