Elbert County tribune., 1921-10-07
The
Mystery Of the
Silver Dagger
By RANDALL PARRISH
Author Of The Strange
Case Of Cavendish"
Illustrations by A. We'll
Illustrations by A. We'll
Copyright, by Randall Parrish
CHAPTER Ix-Continued.


dron?"
What You meanT calculated the
other. by Gottl it is rather you
should ask why you not tell me the
truth?"
Tell you'll What the devil have l
got to tell you? Don't get funny with
me. You sent me note this morning,
didn't your
Sure / did"
well. then. why didn't you meet
me? D-n 1t, I've been hunting you all
day long. What's the idea? Come,
blurt it out, before wiring your d-n
Jew neck"
Waldron spread his hands. and lifted
his shoulders in an expression more
eloquent than words
"What a mani You cuss me. but
not wait to hear why this all was so.
You sit down, and | 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 expectartly. and.
in response to something said, the
thief jerked out a surly answer
mo, l 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, obligng us to
appear Indifferent to the quarrel rag
ing beyond the curtains Both men
must have lowered their voices, for
our ears caught nothing of what was
3aih 1t seemed to me the waiter was
unusually slow in rearranging the table.
'There. that viii do. Francois" I
broke out, at last, impatiently. I'VE
will want nothing else at present.
When I need you again I will ring.
That is the bell, l presume"
"Oui M'sieur."
"All right; then leave us alone for
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 I could
peer out also beneath the curtain
fold, and thus gain gllmpses of the
two men. They were talking earnest
ly, brt had lowered their voices, until
they were nearly inaudlble amid the
din OF the place. The anger and threat
had gone out of both voices: but only oc-
casionally 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 pause.
"You didn't get itl Then who the
hi 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
I do; saw them go out together;
that's why 1 thought 1 was playing
safe to keep away. Somebody has
played us for suckers. II you had
kept your d-n mouth shut we'd a-had
1t easy"
Waldron broke in. stung by this last
taunt into elevating his voice.
what you mean, keep my mouth
shut? So help me, Moses. / tell no.
body"
"The hi you didn't You blabbed
the whole thing to DAILY. He told me
SO himself. That's what I was doing
last night. bluffing him out"
'I tell DAILY? Where you git that
stuff? 1 amt seen DAILY for three
year. Was he in this deal? Why you
not tell me of DAILY before?"
Tell youl / 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 snarllng oath, and. before l 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 swift
wave of passion.
There's the guy nowi' he burst
forth. Hes hiding In that booth;
saw him. Come on, and we'll have
the stiff cough up yeti"
l drew back swiftly, pushing the
girl behind me- There was no place
in which to hide, no chance for
escape. Perhaps / could explain, but,
IL not, then l must fight. The two
came plunging through the opening
and faced us, the heavy curtains drop
ping behind them and shutting out all
view beyond Harris, infiamed by
drink. glared about as though doubt
ing the evidence of his own eyes, but
his expression was that Of savage
hatred.
HI. II they amt both Of 'em herel
Say this is rich So you two are in
cahoots, hey? Thought you'd play me
for d-n fool, did you, DAILY? Well,
I'll show you what you're up against
you and yer girl. Come now, where's
that boodleT'
81 know nothing about 1t, Harris"