The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-10-13
Tho
Mystery Of the
Silver Dagger
BY RANDALL PARRISH
Continued from preceding p.xs)

Dan, mere Is that guy who wa,
asking fer Parker. He amt hear<
nuts'n' rom him."
The other came forward, elb0wins
his way roughly through the crowd
and looked me searchingly In the face.
Pm Costigan," he said shortly. "They
tell me you're hunting Parker. Did
you nave an appointment with him2'
"Yes; he was to meet me here this
morning. Then l left telephone
number, but he hasn't called me-"
HE amt been back; that's the rea-
son. Come along with me; 1 want a
private word with you"
followed him rather doubtfully, al
though his words and actions ap-
peared friendly enough in a gruff way.
He led the way to q closed door at the
end Of the bar, which, when opened,
disclosed a small business office, con-
tanning merely a desk and two chairs.
To his rather gruff invitation to sit
down, l accepted one OF these, chew
ing at the cigar between my teeth, and
'endeavoring to appear quite at ease.
| Costigan, after securing the door, seat
ed himself at the desk, turning his
swivel chair about so as to face me,
his freckled hands on his knees.
George told me about you this
morning." he began. "At least 1 sup
pose you're the lad; your name DAILY p
l nodded, greatly relieved, but un-
willing to trust my voice. The man
did not know me; had no suspicion.
Glad ter meet yer" and Costigan
filed a pipe, and touched a match to
the tobacco without removing his
steady gaze from my face. eve never
had no dealings together, but II yer
tied up with George, it's quite likely
We will have. He an I hav' been
pardners fer long while. He's HI
Of a good guy"
1--WE just ran into each other acci-
dentally," I explained, feeling that he
expected me to say something. "Got
onto the trail Of the same Doodle. He
told you, I suppose?"
mo. he didn't. Just said he'd run
onto you. and that you were liable to
turn a trick together. George don't
siop over; that amt h!s style"
/ "But he spoke about mer'
"Well, yes In way. But II want
no more than I told yer. He had to
60 out afore you got round, so he
said you was comm, an for me to be
decent to yer whenever yer blowed
in"
"How long was he to be goner'
''Fhat's what's got my goat" Cos
tigan admitted grimly. "He said he'd
be back In an hour, but he ain't
showed up since, ner sent any word
don't want to shove my nose into
your affairs, but I'm gettin' little
nervous bout George, that's a fact"
Somehow the fellow gave me tn,
impression Of being square-hones
according to his lights-and intensely
loyal to his friends. Or course,
could not inform him as to the who'll,
story, but 1t might be of benefit t.
give him some inkling Of the situa
ton. -
There's no harm, so far as I cal
see, In telling you part Of the plan
Mr.. Costigan," I replied slowly, en-
deavoring to guard my words careful
ly 81 know Harris has every conf
dence In You, so I'll take chance
We're both on to a million-doll 20
easy money, 1t looks like"
"The h-lI that's some boodle" e1
citedly leaning forward.
at don't come every day. I'll no
explain details, or how the two of u
run together on the trail. and agreet
to split the pot. That's our business
you'll admit"
Sure; what was it7 A bank Job :?
Better than that-South American
revolution fund; coin sent over her,
from London to pay for arms, ant
maybe murder or so. 1t is all in on,
bundle, and what we need to do is ge
our hands on 1t. We know where tn,
stun Is. but we're still scouting arount
for chance to grab It; It's locked VI
yet"
II see. Amt been handed over {,
the gink who's got to pay 1t out
[ That's what George Is a-tracin' ou
now, I suppose7"
mo doubt that is what he starte,
after this neutrality-suspicious. tn,
fellows to whom 1t was to be paid
What gets me is, why he doesn't re
turn-the guy is dead"
Judas Priest! How do you know
that2 What's happenedT
"Why, it's in all the papers he wa
murdered last night over in Jerse,
City-stabbed through the back in al
automobile. You saw 1t, didn't you?
HI that guy1 He was a Chilean
captain, or something. Yer don't thinl
that maybe George bumped him of
DO yer?"
mo; know he didn't; Harris wa
with me all last evening".
"And you haven't any notion VIII,
did?"
! shook my head negatively. COST
gan sat for some moments, his chiI
cupped In his huge fist, his pipe ex
tinguished and his forehead crease,
In thought. ThA he locked up sud
denly, strange light in his eyes.
"Say, DAILY" he asked In hoars
whisper, "do you know If there was