Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1921-05-05
LouiSJ0Sep1h Vance
Author Of The False Faces.
The Lone Wolf" Etc.
Illustrated by
Il'winMyei.S
cepy-.snt 1870 BY the Aothe..

I'll try TO put IL In words OF one Syl-
/ liable :. We're all old pals of yours,
and we feel we've got a right to be
let in on The ground floor when you've
| struck it rich like you have. We want
chance to work in with you and cop
out something for ourselves. You've
| got the inside track now-God knows
how you worked 1t. but you did
you've got it, you can go where you
want and do about as you please with
| the Ritz mob. And that makes it sim
| pie for you to open things up for us.
| You know what we can do, each one
of US; you can easy slip us tip now
and then and leave the rest to MS.
All 1 ask for myself, for instance, is
a few introductions. I'll take care
of the rest"
| 81 think you must be mad y Pris-
| elias head was swimming again.
"Was it to tell me this that you
! YOU
"Precisely," Harry assented with an
| amiable nod
For an instant she was dumb per-
force Then the vertigo beginning to
| pass, and with it the fear of fainting
| again; she found fresh confidence and
was visited by an inspiration of Gun
ming.
eff I refuse"
'.Youll get twentyfour hours TO
think it over" the Nut replied. IF
by that time you're still stubborn :"
| "And if l agree?"
"We'll put our heads together and
scheme out a working arrangement"
''But, I'm too i'll tonight :"
A CLEAN dawned in the ugly little
eyes of the Nut
'That sounds like you mean to come
! down TO EARTH
Priscilla inclined her head: II will
! do what you wish"
Sensible young woman ~
''But I'm unable to discuss details
tonight"
"You can go back and lie down till
you feel stronger"
"No. l can't stay here. You must
let me go home"
Inez laughed aloud.
sHartlly. my dear" Harry said.
"You won't get another chance to give
me the slip until the cases are all
framed, and I'm satisfied you won't
dare trylit again.
you'll have to take my word some,
time-now or LATER
sSOrry-nO can do"
English Addie interposed: "But we
all know Leonora never went back on
her word"
"Never." Priscilla affirmed; and had
wit enough to refrain from THROWN"
a look of gratitude to this new-found
I ally.
"Ah. for Gawd's saker Inez pro.
tested in disgust. "You make me
weary. If you think you can trust
that double-faced cat any further'r
you can see her."
81 don't ask you to trust me-" Pris.
ella explained-"Only to give me time
to rest in quiet and comfort-not here
before we go into our plans. And
You need not trust me. I'm willing
that one of you shall come with me
and see that I play fair. You can
trust Addie ;"
THAT'S perfectly fair" the English.
woman insisted. "I'll go with Nora.
and you know me well enough to know
she won't lift 'er and without me
seem it,"
"All right the Nut conceded. "Take
Addie home with you and give me
your word you'll be ready to see me
! at eleven tomorrow"
Inez fiounced to her feet in a rage
"You pack Of poor boobsr' she shrilIed
"Can't you see she's only framin' &c
slip you the double cross-and you
all heIpin' herr
"Only one thing more" Priscilla in.
sisted. as if she had not heard. 81
must have my things back-my suit
my blouse. my jewelry"
"Hello." Harry sat forward. cycling
her sharply. Thought you looked
different. What's become of your
clothes?"
Priscilla's nod Indicated Inez. "She
stole them from me. Make her give
them back"
The Nut turned to Inez, scowlint
blackly. "Give them back"
"Yes, i will-not. got a bromide
enlargement of me bein' such simp'
you'll do as / say" Harry insisted
darkly. "Tm runnin' this show"
"You are--like h--l!"
The girls defiance found an echo ir
new voice at the back of the room.
like HI Is rightw
There was concerted turning OF
startled heads.
The door had opened noiselessly. II
framed the figure of man wearing c
greasy red sweater hiked up at either
hip to permit his hands to remain IN
the pockets Of pair Of tattered
frayed and stained khaki trousers. Hi
pose was rudely nonchalant. A cap
Of gray cloth pulled forward shad-
owed his eyes; but the face stamped