Elbert County tribune., 1921-10-21
CHAPTER x-continued.


''Ah, stow that" he broke in rough
ly. 1--WE know you never got 1t, but
she did. There amt no other way 1t
could have been done. The dame left
with Alva. George here saw her go
sut with him. Then the next morn
Ing the guy was found dead. his pock-
cts rihed, and the bag Of cash gone.
How was he croaked-do you know
Punctured from behind with some
sorter sharp instrument, no bigger
than hat-pin. 1t looked like a wom-
ans job. but she got away clean. And
what then7 The next night she turns
up with you over at Perond's blowing
In the coin, and the two of yer havin'
HI Of a time. That proves yer
were together, don't it7"
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 tit What
them
Harris grin was more malicious and
hateful than never, but he waited and
deliberately lit his stump of cigar.
'what then?' he echoed finally.
"well, 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, l amt got
any direct proof that'll 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
FIX that fly dame of yours for all
time"
"You are bluffing; you have no such
proof"
"Oh, haven't II Look here, you
fool; do you know where l got that?"
He whipped something from out the
concealment of an inner coat pocket,
and flung it fully revealed onto the
desk-an ornamental dagger, glitter
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 1 did," evil
IDENTIFY proud of himself. ut was an
easy enough trick. Just as soon
as got eyes on this pretty plaything
/ knew I'd got the sticker that put
Aiva out of business-an' 1 knew
where It couna from"
"where7"
"Oh, hill do you think l amt got
any eyes7 That skirt wore 1t in her
hat when she and Alva went out to-
gether."
"Oh, did she7 This same pin, was
iti Say, Harris, wish l could be as
bright as you think you are. And did
you happen to observe also that the
lady's hat was held ip place by ex-
actly the same pin tonight when she
was In Peronds? Well, it was; now
how could it be in your pocket and in
her hat at the same timer"
He stared at me, his mouth wide
open, and 1 was equally amused at the
expression upon the faces of the other
two. I realized fully the peril 1 was
in, and that these men would hesitate
at nothing to obtain their end. Yet,
in spite of all this. was inexpressibly
happy. l spiked their big gun with a
single blow; moreover, / had learned
the truth about her, and my faith in
her innocence came back in a flood.
Harris had done too much boasting
he had ruined his own case He had
placed the very weapon In my grasp
which l most desired to have-ab-
solute assurance that the girl herself
realized, the change.
That's easy" he sneered. "She
bought herself another. That proves
nothing, except that she Is smart
enough to play safe. Neither one of
you can get away on that sort of
dope"
Perhaps not; but 1t clears her OF
the murder charge"
''oh, does it? That remains to be
seen. We know who she is, and that
is more than you do. oh, HI. / goi
onto that over the wire; the only
thing that interested you into coming
here was to learn who the dame real
ly was. That's part Of her play, as
figure 1t, Severn. She won't give her
self away, but is just using you. When
she's good and ready she means tc
fade, an she'll take the dough along
with her. You win have sold out fol
a few cheap kisses, an that's ALL" He
laughed coarsely. "She is stringine
you for fool Come now, wake up
before 1t is too late, an let's all gel
hand In the pot what'de yer say?'
You still think I am that kind