Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-09-07

dig over at Perond's tonight. card
case was Jared loose from your
pocket There was only one kind Of
card inside. and that wasn't DAILY by
q d-n sight. I told Dan about 1t,
and he was for getting squint at
that right arm. Said for me to call
you 40 at the number you gave me,
believing that IL / threw in con
enough you'd come over here. asked
for g 49, the operator there named
yer, and it was the same name what
was on them cards. So now we know
yer're a dirty liar and spy, Mister
Philip Severn"
You called me DAILY yourself, Har-
ris," I said quietly, realizing the game
ives up, but not yet sure of their in
tentions. 81 merely let it go"
Sure: but what was the game? You
amt no fiy-cop?"
Nothing Of the kind"
Then you was after the dough
That's what | thought; you and the
girl are in cahoots. Well, what did
you do with it?''
shook my head, but this only an
gered Costigan.
"Ah, stow that" he broke in rough
ly 1--WE know you never got 1t, but
she did. There amt no other way II
could have been done. The lame left
with Alva. George here saw her go
out with him. Then the next morn
ing the guy was found dead, his pock-
cts rified, 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-pih. II looked like wom-
ans job, but she got away clean. And
what then? The next night she turns
up with you over at Perond's blowing
in the coin, and the two of yer havin'
a hi of a time. That proves yer
were together, don't lt?''
"We're not going to blow this to
the police" broke in Harris, as Dan
paused for breath. 'sThat amt the
idea at all. But we want a share of
that dough You come across, and
there won't be no more trouble"
But suppose don't? Suppose tell
you l haven't the slightest idea where
that money is, or who got it? What
them"
Harris grin was more malicious and
hateful than never, but he waited and
deliberately lit his sturhpssUf a cigar.
"What them" he echoed finally.
"Well, in the first place, we've get
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
term in the jug, as accessory. and
fix that fly dame of yours for all
time"
"You are oluffing; you have no such
proof"
"Oh, hs vent II Look here. you
fool; do you know where got that p
He whipped something from out the
concealment of an inner coat pocket
and flung it fully revealed onto the
desk-an ornamental dagger. glitter
ing in the light, which as instantly
recognized.
Ever see that baby weapon be
fore?"
yes" and / felt a sudden relief a
the discovery. "You slashed open m.
vaIIse, and found it"
Exactly; that's what I did," evi
IDENTIFY proud OF himself. sit was al
easy enough trick. Just as sool
as got eyes on this pretty playthinl
l knew I'd got the sticker that pm
Alva out OF business-an' l knew
where 1t come from"
"Where?"
ooh, h-ll do you think l amt go
any eyes? That skirt wore it In he
hat when she and Alva went out to
! gether"
"Oh, did she7 This same pin, wa!
II? Say, Harris, l wish / could be "a
bright as you think you are. And die
you happen to observe also that tn,
iady's hat was held In place by ex
actly the same pin tonight when sh'
was In Perond's? Well, it was; nov
how could ii be In your pocket aud il
her hat at the same timer"
He stared at me, his mouth wild,
open, and was equally amused at th'
expression upon the faces of the othel
two, / realized fully the peril l wal
In, and that these men would hesitate
at nothing to obtain their end. Yet
In spite of all this. was inexpresSibll
happy. l spiked their big gun with |
single blow; moreover, had learned
the truth about her, and my faith IL
her innocence came hack in a food
Harris had done too much hoasting
he had ruined his own case. He ha(
placed the very weapon in my grasI
which most desired to have-ab
solute assurance that the girl herself
was innocent. The fellow felt anC
realized. the change.
That's easy" he sneered. "Sh'
bought herself another. That proves
aothing, except that she is smar
enough to play safe. Neither one o
you can get away on that sort o.
dope"
perhaps not; but 1t clears her o
the murder charge
"Oh. does it, That remains to b
seen We know who she is. and tina