The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1921-09-09
CHAPTER Discontinued.


drOn?"
"What you mean?' CALCULATED the
other "By Colt it is rather you 1
should ask why you not tell me the
trdth?"
Tell you What the devil have I
got 70 tell you? Don't get funny with
me. You sent me a note this morning,
didn't you?"
'Sure 1 did"
well. then, why didn't you meet
me? On it. I've been hunting you all
day long. What's the idea? Come,
burt it ont, before wiring your d-n
jew neck"
WaIdron 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 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 jerked out a surly answer.
NO, I don't went anything to eat.
Bring me some whisky-a half pint
with q little water. Yes, that's all;
now get out of here
At this moment Francois returned
with our final course, obliging US TO
appear Indifferent to the quarrel rag
ing beyond the curtains. Both men
must have lowered their voices, for
said. 1t seemed to me the waiter was
unusually slow in rearranging the table.
There, that will do, Francois" I
broke out, at last, impatiently. 1--WE
will want nothing else at present.
When I need you again i will ring.
That IS the bell, 1 presume"
"Oui, Msieur."
''All right; then leave us alone for
a while"
Neither one OF MS touched thing,
the coffee growing cold I'm the cups,
as we endeavOred TO distinguish what
was going on at that second table out
ia the main dining room. came
around beside her, to where could
peer out also beneath the curtain
fold, and thus gain glimpses OF the
two men. They were talking earnest
". but had lowered their voices. until
they were nearly inaudible 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, IN
related, as the surrounding noise
ceased suddenly, or the music came
to a pause.
You didn't get it, Then who the
HI did? Me, l should say no; why
I never knew the old man had even
slipped him the dough. That d-n.
girl rode down with him. OF course
j do | saw them go out together;
that's why I thought l 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"
Waldron broke in. stung by this last
taunt into elevating his voice.
What you mean. | keep my mouth
shut? SO help me, Moses. 1 tell no
body"
THE HI you didn't. You blabbed
the whole thing 70 DAILY. He told me
80 himself That's what l was doing
last night. bluffing him out"
II tell Daly7 Where you git that
stuff? I amt seen DAILY for three
year Was he in this deal? Why you
not tell me OF DAILY before7"
Tell you'll / never knew it until
ne told me-"
A waiter brushed past him, bearing
tray. striking against one shoulder
as he passed. Harris glanced up with
a snRrling oath, and. before / realized
tue danger, his eyes must have caught
q 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 now!" he burst
saw him. Come on, and we'll have
the stiff cough up yetw
L drew back swiftly. pushing the
girl behind me. There was no place
I'm which to hide, no chance for
escape. Perhaps / could explain. but. |
# not. then / 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, If they amt both of 'em here |
Say. this is rich. So you two are in |
cahoots. hey? Thought you'd play me
for a 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 boodleg"
Il know nothing about it, Harris"
You're a liar This dame went T
away with Alva in his car. / saw her |
go out with him. You cough up. both |
of you. and be d-n quick about 1t, |
or you'll never get out of here with /
out a hole through you You think /
you can double-cross ns; I'll show /
you a trick of my own.''
He was reaching for his gun. It
must have caught In his pocket. though |
I wasted no time. Il was his life or
mine. and + gripped the empty wine
bottle ON the table and smashed q
vicious blow mt his head He went |