The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-20

"I understand a little" he an.
swerod. "but II you cared enough to
accomplish this madness for him.
you should have been even less kind
to me than you were this afternoon"
Perhaps" she answered. "oh,
don't know. I loved him 80 much,
and my father said his murderer
would never be punished--1ustioe
must fail. Maybe It was my italian
blood, but I swore over his body this
day they buried him that, II there
was no other way, would get Justice
for the poor boy. We were prac-
said nothing to my father. Through
girl l, had helped I met Slim. It
pleased his vanity to have o spy at
headquarters. ! made him trust me.
But I couldn't find out who-yet
sooner or later knew>the time would
come. That's why worked so hard
for tonight, why I wouldn't let any
thing interfere, because thought In
this room-wel1i"
She breathed hard for a moment
Since I've known you rye
doubted, but 7 couldn't turn back.
11a2O t1ACh kCpQCtb A1S- i 11V0 1V-
strained them. think, because I
have been with them. have saved
lives. And always had planned at
the end to punish them as they de-
served. But now-in trap. We're
like mice in trap, Jim. I've done
that to you. They'll find me out now,
and what's behind the mask, too.
They'll kill us both. They'll have to.
ListenH
wen make tight OF it, Nora"
he said grimly. "No matter what
do, trust me-"
He snapped the button. The white
shaft pierced the darkness. Slim and
three others with ready revolvers
were half way across the room. Garth
put his fingers to his lips.
''Sh-h." he said. "Wait Don't
come any closer"
What's wrong. simmons?" Slim
whipped out -
Who called? That's, George.
What" So
"He got fresh with the girl" Garth
answered.
Slim waited, taking in the details
OF the tableau.
You're blufing. Simmons" he
said at last. "I'm after facts now.
Toss MP your hands.
He raised his revolver, aiming at
Garth's body. Nora gave a little
cry. Garth laughed.
''You don't quite understand" he
answered slowly. @and you're usually
SO observant, Slim. Look around.
The safe Is open behind us. Your
bullets would clip through Nora and
me into those sacks of army destroy
ers. What then? So you won't be
surprised when I take my hands
down"
He lowered them. He took his
own revolver from his pocket.
But" he went on, there's moth
ing behind you but steel wall, and
If one of you comes step closer I'll
shoot"
He snatched the mask from his
face, and took police whistle from
his pocket. He raised 1t to his lips.
He blew a call which he felt would
penetrate beyond these steel walls.
He laughed outright.
NO more fighting In the dark.
Thank Godi" The four men stared
with the helpless rage, the abandoned
suffering Of snared animals.
Garth wondered II relief would
ever come. He was afraid that the
slip of frayed white paper must have
gone astray. Otherwise, Il seemed to
him, It would have brought help even
before he had sounded his shrili
alarm.
Then he heard a 4ramping IN the
house. a struggle outside the door, a
voice whose roar betrayed excitement
and triumph.
Where's Garthfs
The door filled with men in uni-
form.
Nora covered her face with her
hands and turned away. With a
start Garth grasped the reason. Plan
ming vaguely, he arose and leaned
over the PROSTATE figure Of George.
The man breathed. The wound was
in the shoulder and appeared Of
little real consequence. He straight
ened to find the inspector standing
over him with look of pleasure. II
hurt Garth to think of that express
sion's vanishing for one OF unbelief
and revolt.
"This fellow win stand his trial."
he said. For the murder of Joe
Kridel. 1t was here. You know"
The inspector pulled.
Garth. I'm proud of you"
His eye caught the figure OF Nora.
crouched against the safe. His voice
grew hard and business-like.
Bring that woman here"
Slim. bound and at the door.
laughed.
Garth grasped the inspectors arm.
Don't" he said. Don't bother
about her. Let her co."
But the inspector strobe to the
safe, raised Nora, and drew her hands
from her face.
He gasped and leaned heavily
against the divan. All at once he
appeared old.
"I'll tell you.' Garth cried. you
have to thank Nora as much as me.
That is, we put it over together. It
was winning combination, but we
didn't have the nerve to put you
wise"
The color rushed back to Nora's
cheeks, but>the inspectors face did
not alter. He looked doubtfully from
one to the other. At last he seemed
to gather his emotion in a volley Of
wrath for Garth.
you dragged a woman In thtsi
You ought to be horswhipped. Drag
ging my daughter into this heIl!"
Garth took the girls hand.
Cheer up, chief" he said. "bo. 4
cause If you and she would only Let
me ia drag her into lot worse than
that"