Evening star., 1921-08-07

knew. but-but he didn't crave to be
the person who conducted negotia-
tions with Kiely on this basis. Conny
Kiely seemed to have some foolish
sentiment toward his wife. He might
act before he thought the second time.
Aside from the involvement of his
wife. the fact that he was dealing
with q potential squealer was suf1i-
cient to infuriate Kiely. He would be
under no misapprehension about who
was going to squeaL Nick Burton
preferred to have some guaranty that
Kiely would listen to reason. He
elected Joe to obtain that.
go see Kiely-wait minute!" He
stilled Joe's protest and offered two
| hundred dollars. "Just tell him that
I've met a guy from Denver: That's
thing on this bird and can keep him
shut-tell Kiely that. And I want to
| talk it over with Kiely IL he's ready
to do right. Seer
''Yeh-but-" Joe's fingers itched
for the cash. but he wasn't crazy about
"Youii be o. X, Joe." said Burton.
You don't know anything. You
don't even have to look wise. All you
got to do is get Kiely's word that
he'll be reasonable when he hears
what I've got to say: If he don't
want to do that, tell him 1 said I'd
let this bird run loose
In the end he prevailed upon Joe
by adding to the two hundred dollars
a reminder that the district attorney
could easily be interested in Joe.
x
! TOE believed he could get away with
} it. Should Kiely become rough
he would go after the threatener
Burton. not his agent. Joe convinced
himself Of that. He never dreamed
that he was to emerge from the brief
conference with Kiely minus his eari
and with his tongue still in place
only because it was SO slippery and
wagged so fast.
AS one in Kiely's position mus
have every one within his province
distinctly classified, with as man.
others as his memory will retain, hs
had Joe properly catalogued. Conse'
quently when Joe asked for a pri.
vate interview Kiely was aware thai
he was talking as Burton's mouth.
piece. Overtures by Burton he re-
garded as a sign of weakening. Bu
the police had entertained the public
with demonstrations on two Of Kely'i
gaming places and had ripped hi,
poolroom all to bits: the lid vas dis
astrously on. Therefore he was read,
to treat with the enemy. provided tht
enemy conceded defeat.
AS his chief had done. Joe went t.
Mixes to see Kiely; He was no
presence Of the chil1-faced gambler
but he still thought that he could ge
by with his errand. His cue was t.
be "cagey" in his approach-sort o
drip the burden Of his message. tn
part about the man from Denver
L 4
I Kiely was at the end of the ba,
barking again to Fritz's dissertation
on how the nation was tottering un
der the agony Of prohibition. Jo'
sidled up to him. He never hat
spoken with Kelly before HIS re
comfort. He regretted having come
Kiely's gaze was disconcerting.
Lets go in to the back, Mr.. Kiely.
Joe smiled alphabetically. ingratiat
ingly. Instinctively he was anxiou
to make an impression on this Ice
| Kiely voiced the outstanding ques
tion: "Does Burton quitr'
Il Joe fiidgeted. He wasn't used t.
straightforward speech: in this In
stance especially he'd rather avoid II
He leaned close:
through. He" breaking ofr. h
i jerked his head at a man a fev
feet away. Lets talk in the back o
somewhere" he invited again. BUR
tonlI be sore on me If 1t gets round
what got to say"
i With an emissary before him ap
| parently ready to offer capitufatior
Kiely was disposed to grant the re
i. quest for secrecy. He determined t
make his terms unconditional surren
der-Burton had to move. The vic
!. tory would be evident to every one whel
Burton left the field.
:. "Why didn't he come himself" Kie
i. "Yuh know! Hes playin' safe!" 10
| winked meaninGly. He was please