The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-09-07
CHAPTER x-conAinued.

shook my heeA. hut this only an
gered Costigan.
''Ah. stow that he broke in rough
". I'VE know Jon never got 1t, but
che did. There amt no other way It
could have been done. The dame left
with Alva. George here saw her 90
out with him. Thea the next morn
ing the guy was found dead, his peck
cts riied, and the Tag of cash gone.
How was he croaxed-do you know7
Punctured from behind with some
sorter sharp instrument, no bigger
than q hat-pin. It looked like a wOm-
ans job. but she got away clean. And
what then? The next night she turns
up with you over at Per0nd's blowing
In the coin, and the two Of yer hawin'
hi Of time. That proves yer
were together. don't it,"
We're not going to blow this to
the police" broke in Harris as Dan
paused for breath. "That amt the
idea at all. But we want share Of
that dough. You come across. and
there won't be no more trouble"
but suppose don't? Suppose tell
you ! haven't the slightest idea where
that money is, or who got 1t? What
then?" M @
Harris grin was more malicious and
hateful than never but he waited and
deliberately lit his stump Of cigar.
"What then?" he echoed finally.
swell, in the first place. we've got
you, haven't we? You'll squeal, believe
me, before you ever get out OF. our
hands. See here, Severn, amt got
any direct proof thatll put you in the
chair at Sing Sing; that's true enough,
but unless the two Of you cough up
liberal, I'll turn something over to the
police Of this town what will give you
a term in the jug, as accessory, and
nx that fly dame Of yours for all
time"
"You are blufiing; you have no such
proof"
"Oh, haven't II Look here you
fool: do you know where got that"
He whipped something from out the
concealment Of an inner coat pocket,
desk-an ornamental dagger, glitter
ing in the light, which as instantly
recognized.
"Ever see that baby weapon be.
fore?"
"Yes." and felt a sudden relief at
the discovery. "You slashed open my
valise, and found it."
Exactly; that's what l did," evil
IDENTIFY proud Of himself. 1T was an
easy enough trick. Just as soon
as got eyes on this pretty plaything
knew I'd got the sticker that put
Alva out Of BUSINESSMAN l knew
where 1t come FROM"
'Where?"
''Oh, HI! do you think l amt got
any eyes? That skirt wore 1t in her
hat when she and Alva went out to-
gether."
"Oh, didsshe? This same pin, was
\ IT. Say, Harris, wish could be as
L bright as you think you are. And did
you happen to observe also that the
lady's hat was held IN place by ex-
actly the same pin tonight when she
was in Perond's? Well, it was; now
how could 1t be in your pocket and In
Il her hat at the same timer"
II ! He stared at me, his mouth wide
n open, and l was equally amused at the
expression upon the faces of the other
two. I realized fully the peril was
in, and that these men would hesitate
at nothing to obtain their end. Yet,
In spite of all this. was inexpressibly
happy. spiked their big gun with a
IL single blow; moreover, had learned
81 the truth about her, and my faith In
Il her innocence came back In flood.
Harris had done too much boasting
he had ruined his own case. He had
placed the very weapon in my grasp
Il which l most desired to have-ab-
solute assurance that the girl herself
was innocent. The fellow felt, and
realized. the change.
& That's easy" he sneered. "She
bought herself another. That proves
nothing, except that she IL smart
enough to play safe. Neither one Of
you can get away on that sort Of
DOPE"
perhaps not; but 1t clears her OF
ID the murder charge"
# "Oh, does it, That remains to be
III seen. We know who she Is. and that
| 10 more than you do. Oh, HI. l got
onto that over the wire; the only
NJ thing that interested you into coming
al here was to learn who the dame real
NJ ly was. That's part Of her play, as
HI figure 1t, Severn. She won't give her
self away, but Ii just using you. Wher
X cbs's good and ready she means te
~ fade, an she'll take the dough alons
with her. You will have sold out fol
few cheap kisses. an that's ALL" He
II laughed coarsely. "She is stringing
you for fool. Come now, wake up
before 1t Is too late, an let's all get
a hand in the pot; what'de yer say?'
you still think l am that kind?
One Of your class" questioned, thor
Reughly angered by his sneering speech.