Evening star., 1921-09-29
Continued from Yesterdays Starr


quite cool now, perfectly in control OF
himself. The man didn't have even a
suspicion that he, Dave Henderson,
knew these things. He wustnt put the
other on his guard-there were sun
sixty-two days during which these
prison walls held him impotent; anu
during which another, warned. couio . se.
very far out of reach. Yes, ne MaH .ai1
quite cool now. He was even sun
Smiling, wasn't he? He could even play
the man like a hooked hsh. II WASH M
time to land the other yet. bul II mas
strange that Bookie Skarvan should nave
come here at all. Bookie wasn't Iooi,
he hadn't come here for nothing What
was it the man wanted? ,-
"Ain't you glad to see me- Dave.
demanded Bookie Skarvan quite )ocular,,
". "'Cause, if you amt now, you VIII
be before | CO." Nav.
what do you mean?" inquired Dave
Henderson coOlly. .,s
.Notice ANYTHING queer about what S
doing here right at this minute?" Book
les left eve closed in Signihcant WIN;
.'Sure, YOU do! There amt any guara
butting in, Dave. Get me: Wei' hAeo
it like that ..o old
spill it," he invited. "l'm listening.
"Attaboy,' Bookie grinned. ~ ou oet
you're listening! We amt iorgot,en
have We, Dave? You know ME ana -, !
know YOU. l kept away from here until
now. cause l didn't want 'em 70 get tne
right dope on the Letting-didn't want
'em to think there was any chahce VI uS
playing up to each other
You mean you didn't want tnem 10
get wise that you were CROOK 700.
suggested Dave Henderson imperturapis.
Bookie Skarvan had no faiss nioues.S
his left eyelid dropped for the secono
time. r- r..
.You got the idea, Dave a.ne ne
grinned again. They've got TO mgu.e
I'm straight-that's the play. Tnats
the play I've been making in waning
fiye years-so's they'd be sure there
wasn't nothing between us. Now you
listen hard. Dave All you've handed
the police is frozen face; a ana 1.raiabs .nat :
the right stuff: but got deaa stra,sm, sn nn
you till hell's skating pond. Iney re
going to get that money-or else you
amt! See? Well, that's where |
stepped in. l goes to the right source, do
= nothing with Dave. Let me nave 1ry;
Maybe I can handle him. He worked
for me a good many years, ana Know
him better than his mother would II
he had one He's stubborn. stubborn as
he'll. and threats amt any sood. nor
promises neither; but he's a good poy'
for all that You let me have chance
to talk to him privately. and MAYBE l
Z can make MN cone dcross anu SoIeh W
that money. Anyway, it won't do any
harm % try. l always liked Dave. and
l don't want to see him dodging the po-
lice all his life. Tydeman's dead, and.
though it was really Tydemans money.
] was a partner of Tydeman's. and Il
anybody on earth can get under Dawes
shell can.'" Bookie put his face clo9er
to his own particular stretch OF WIRE
netting He lowered his voice. That's
the reason I'm here. and that's the rea-
son the guard-ain't!'
There was almost awe and admiration
in Dave Henderson's voice.
you've got your nerve with YOU. ne
said softly. Bookie SkarVan cnuckieo
Sure" he said complacently. "And
that's why we win. You get the lay.
: don't you?" He was whispering now.
You can'tsget that cash alone. Dave, Se,
You. But they won't watch me! You
know me, Dave. I'll make it fair split
fifty fifty. Tell me where the money
is, and I'll get it, and be waiting for you
anywhere you. say when you come out;
and I'll fix it to hand over your share
SOS they'll never know you got i'll got
to make sure it's fixed like that for my
own sake. you can see that. Get me,
tell the warden it amt any good. that
1 can't get you to talk. 1 guess that
looks nifty enough. don't it. Dave?"
There was fly climbing up the wire
netting. 1t zigzaggsd it's course over
the little squares. 1t was good gamble
whether, on reaching the next strand it
would turn to the right or left or con-
tinue straight ahead. Dave Henderson
watched it. The creature did no one
of those things 1t paused and frictioned
Its front legs together in leisurely
fashion. After that it appeared to be
quite satisfied with its position-and it
stayed there.
Poor Booklet" murmured Dave Hen
ders0n SAD s; ibt too; Sr.,n guess it must be
Bookie Skarvan's face blotched sud
denly red-but he pressed his face still
more earnestly against the wire barrier;
You don't get it," he breathsd
tip. Barjan's waiting for you. The
police are waiting for you. You haven't
got a hope. I tell you, you can't get
that money alone, no matter where you
put it,
II heard you." said Dave Henderson
indifferently.
There was silence for moment.
A sort of anxious evaporation spread
over skarvan's face. then perplexity
and then flare of rage.
you're a fool"' he snarled. You
won't believe me! You think I'm trying
to work you for half of that money.
Well, so l am, in way-or ] wouldn't
Look at the risk I'm taking-f1ve years.
the same as you got. You crazy fool!
Do you think I'm bluffing? 1 tell you
again. I know what Pm talking about.
The police'n never give you look-in.
You got to have help. Who else is there
but me? It's better to split with me than
than lose the whole of it. amt it,"
"You haven't changed bit in five
years, Bookie." There was studied in
science in Dave Hendersons voice now.
Not damned bit! Run along now
beat itS
"You mean that?" Bookie skarvan's
eyes were puckered into Sits now.
You mean you're going to turn me
down."
.sYesr' said Dave Henderson,
'N'll give you one more chance"
whispered Skarvan.
.Bookfe Skarvans fat fingers squirmed
around inside his collar. as though 1t
"All right" His lips were twitchins
angrily. IAN right" he repeated
ominously. "Then. by God you'll never
police. Understand? I'll see to that!
j made you fair. straight offer. You'll
find now that therell be some one else
besides you and Barjan out for that
coin-and when the showdown comes it
won't be either you or Barjan that gets
too!
~ never said I knew where the
money was" said Dave Henderson-and
smiled-and shrugged his shoulders.
Therefore you, ought to stand just as
good chance as Barjan-or, I. After
/ got wounded I kind of lost track of
:, things, you know"
you lie." said Skarvan f1ercely.
IL" He checked himself, biting
at his lips. I'll give you one more