The St. Johns herald., 1921-12-01
CHAPTER Ix-continued.
H.


 -14-
 "Say, where the h-l have you been2 What is this, a dOubIe-crOss, Wal dron?"
 "lVhat you mean?" calculated the other. "By Gott! it is rather you I should ask why you not tell me the trdth?"
 ~TeII you! What the devil have I got to tell you? Don't get funny with me. You sent me a note this morning, didn't you?"
 Sure I did"
 ''WelI, then, why didn't you meet me? D-n it. I've been hunting you all day long. What's the idea? Come, biurt 1t out, before I wiring your d-n Jew neck"
 WaldrOn spread his hands, and lifted his shoulders in an expression more eloquent than words.
 What a man You cuSs me, but not wait to hear why this all was so. You sit down, and I tell you. Then maybe you tell me something also"
 Harris stared at him, then sank into the vacant chair opposite, still scOwl- ing angrily across the table. A waiter paused at his elbow expectantly, and, in response to something said, the thief ierked out a surly answer.
 ''NO. I don't want anything to eat. Bring me some whiSky-a half pint with little water Yes, that's all; now get out of here"
 At this moment Francois returned with our final course, obllging us to appear indifferent to the quarrel rag ing beyond the curtains. Both men must have lowered their voices, for cur ears caught nothing of what was said It seemed to me the waiter was unusually slow in rearranging the table.
 'FThere, that will do, Francois" I . tEoka aut at last impatiently. we win Asg.iTtt nothing else at present. When I need you again l will ring. That is the bell, presume"
 "Oui, Msieur"
 "AIl right; then leave us alone for a while"
 Neither one of us touched a thing, the coffee growing cold in the cups, as we endeavored to distinguish what was going on at that second table out in the main dining room. came around beside her, to where l could peer out also beneath the curtain fold. and thus gain glimpseS of the two men. They were talking earnest ly, but had lowered their voices, until they were nearly inaudible amid the din of the place. The anger and threat cRsionally could we weave together words into an understandable sen tence these came to us detached, un- related, as the surrounding noise ceased suddenly, or the music came to a pause.
 ''You didn't get it! Then who the hII did? Me, I should say no; why never knew the old man had even slipped him the dough. That d-n girl rode down with him. Of course do: I saw them go out together; that's why I thought I was playing safe to keep away. Somebody has played us for suckers. If you had kept your d-n mouth shut we'd a-had it easy"
 WaIdrOn broke in, stung by this last taunt into eleyating his voice
 aWhat you mean. keep my mouth shut? So help me, Moses, tell nO- 4eody"
 the whole thing to Daily. He told me so himself. That's what I was doing last night. bluffing him out"
 "I tell Daly2 Where you git that stuff? I ain't seen Daily for three year. Was he in this deal? Why you not tell me of Daily befOre?"
 Hell you! never knew it until he told me"
 A waiter brushed past him, bearing a tray, striking against one shoulder as he passed. Harris glanced up with a snarling oath, and, before realized the danger, his eyes must have caught a glimpse of me beneath the draped curtain. Instantly the fellow was on his feet, all else forgotten in a swift wave of passion.
 There's the guy nOwr' he burst forth. "He's hiding in that booth; I saw him. Come on, and we'll have the stiff cough up yetw
 I drew back swiftly. pushing the girl behind me. There was no place in which to hide, no chance for escape. Perhaps l could explain, but, if not, thea must fight. The two