Evening star., 1921-11-02
.(Continued from Yesterdays Starr

y NCOnt1nued from yesterday Stdr.I
Dave Henderson's revolver was low
cred untif-ft pointed to the floor.
when you lift your hand, Bookte,
It's the signal" he said, In mono
tone.
Bookie skarvan's knees seemed to
bend and sag a little more-there
was no other movement.
I'm waiting said Dave Hender-
son-and pulled the trigger Of his
revolver to put a shot into the floor.
There was the click Of the falling
hammer-no more A grim smile
played across Dave Henderson's lips;
1t was as we'll, perhaps. that he had
tried in that way to startle. to
brighten. this terrified. spineles cur
cartridge that he had depended upon
for his life had missed fire! He pulled
the trigger again. The hammer click
ed. He pulled again-his eyes never
leaving Bookie Skarvan's face. The
hammer clicked.
For the fraction Of a second the
room seemed blurredst to Dave Hen
derson. The chamberssof his revolver
were empty! His brain seemed to
sicken. and then to recover itself and
was at the mercy of that cringtng
hound there-if the other but knew
It. It seemed as though all the devils
of hell shrieked at him in unholy
II. I ne I{lOSeO d Slcp 1OTWoLu u
to rush, to close with the other. the
very paroxysm Of fear that Possessed
Bookie Skarvan would instinctively
fncite the man to fire. There was one
way. only one way-the electric light
switch behind him. II he could reach
ing the truth there would be the
darkness-and his bare hands. Well.
he asked no more than that--only
that Bookie Skarvan did not get
Ir
He moved back single step. as
though shifting his position. his face
impassive. watching the dangling
weapon in the others shaky hand.
Watching the others working lips.
empty! How? When? 1t had been
fully loaded when he lay down on the
bed. Yes! He remembered! 1t was
queer that it had twisted Ike that
in his sleep. Dago George: 1t game
George, cautious to excite no sus-
picion, had been equally cautious to
draw his. Dave Henderson's. teeth!
He edged back another step-and
stopped. as though rooted to the spot.
volver in the others hand. his own
peril, all, everything that but an in
slant before had obsessed his mind.
was blotted out from his conscious
ness as though it had never existed.
man on the floor behind Bookie Skar-
van, that he could see over Bookie
Skarvan's shoulder. had raised his
hand In a swift, sudden movement and
had thrust It under the mattress at
the head Of the bed. and had snatched
out a revolver.
It was quick. quick as thought,
quick as the winking of an eye. A
shout OF warning rose to Dave Hen
derson's hps-and was drowned in
n ~ "a aH0t -
space. And. as though thrown into
relief by the fash and the tongue
fame Of the revolver. a picture SEEM
ed to scar itself into Dave Hender..
sons brain; The upfung arms of
Bookie Skarvan. the ghastly surprise
on the sweat-beaded face. the fat
body spinning grotesquely like run
down top-and pitching forward to
the floor. And through the lifting
face, working, livid. -smirched,
full Of demoniacal triumph. And then
q gurgling peal of laughter.
'Yes. and You, too! Con Anore -
gurgied Dago George. You. toor'
The man was on his knees now. lurch-
trying to draw its bead now on him.
Dave Henderson. He moved with a
spring to one side toward the door.
The revolver. a. though jerked desper-
afedy In the weak hand, followed him.
He flung himself to the floor. A shot
rang out. And then. as though through
the flash again. another picture lived ::
The revolver dropping from hand that
could no longer hold It. 4 graying face
that swayed on shoulders which in turn
rocked to and fro-and then q lurch-
a thud-and the face was hidden be-
tween out-sprawled arms-and Dago
George did not move any more.