The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1921-07-14

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 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, obliging 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
said. 1t seemed to me the waiter wa
unusually slow in rearranging'the table.
There, that will do, Francois" l
broke out, at last, impatsently. eve
will want nothing else at present.
When 1 need you again I will ring.
That is the bell, I presume"
"Oui, M'sieur."
Gall 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. l came
around beside her, to where I 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
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 it! Then who the
HI did? Me, 1 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
I do; 1 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
kent vonr d-n month shut we'd a-had
it easy"
Waldron broke in, stung by this last
taunt into elevating his voice.
"What you mean, I keep my mouth
shut? So help me, Moses, I tell no
body"
"The HI you didn't! You blabbed
the whole thing to DAILY. He told me
so himself. That's what was doing
last night, blufing him out"
81 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 you! I never knew 1t until
he told me-"
A waiter brushed past him, bearing
q tray, striking against one shoulder
as he passed. Harris glanced up with
a snarling oath, and, before I 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 now!" he burst
forth. Hes hiding in that booth;
saw him. Come on, and we'll have
the stir cough up YETI"
drew back swiftly, pushing the
girl behind me. There was no place
in which to hide, no chance for
escape. Perhaps I could explain, but,
if not, then 1 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, infamed 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!
~ ~