Evening star., 1921-10-07

an old feud he had with some one, he
would not tell me who. that he had
been nursing all this time. I think
that ms passion for vengeance had
perhaps turned his head a little.
refused to have anything to do with
his bomb. of course. and he left here
IN rage. and in his condition he is
as likely to turn on me as he is to
carry out his original intention. But
that apart, what am l to do now? He
was one of US, cannot expose him tc
the police-he would be sentenced tc
long term. And yet, If his bomb ex.
plodes, to whom will the police come
first? To me" Nicolo Capriano sud
denly raised his hands, and they were
clenched-and as suddenly caught his
breath. and choked, and a spasm OF
pain crossed his face. The next in.
slant he was smiling mirthlessly with
twitching lips. Eyes, to me-to me
whom some fool among them once
called the Dago Bomb King, which
they will never forget! 1t is always
to me they come! Any crime that
seems to have the slightest Italian
tinge-and they come to Nicolo Cap
riano" He shrugged his shoulders
You see, young man. it is not easy
even when 1 am wholly innocent But
I. too, do not forget. l do not forget
Tony Lomazzi! Tell me exactly what
you want me to do. You think you
can find the man and the money II
you can throw the police and the
others off your trail?"
"Yes" said Dave Henderson. with
ominous quiet. That's my job in
life now. If I could disappear for
three or four days: I guess that's all
the start I'd need"
There was tolerant smile now on
the old bomb kings lips.
Three or four days would be a very
easy matter" he answered. But after
that-what? It might do very well in
respect to this gang of crooks, but 1t
would be of very little avail where
the police are concerned. for they
could not do-see that every plain
clothesman and officer on this conti-
nent was on the watch for you. Do
you imagine that, believing you know
where the money is. the police will
forget all about you in three or four
No" admitted Dave Henderson.
with the same ominous quiet. "but all
ask is fighting chance"
Nicolo Capriano stared in specula-
tive silence for moment
friend" he said. softly. "I like that
also 1 do not like the police. But
three or four days" He shook his
head. You do not know the police
as l know them! And this man you
1 i
away with the money. do you know
where to fnd him.
Il think he Is in New York." Dave
Henderson answered.
"Ah! New York" Nicolo Capriano
nodded. "But New York is a world
in itself. He did not give you his ad-
dress, and then rob you, l Suppose!
Dave Henderson did not answer for
moment. What Nicolo Capriano said
was very truei But the rendezvous
that Millman had given was. on the
face of it. a fake anyhow. That had
but during the two years Millman and
he had been together in prison there
had been many little inadvertent re-
marks in conversation that had. be
yond question of doubt, stamped Mill
man as a New Yorker. Perhaps Mill
had given his rendezvous in New
York-to give color to its genuine
ness-because 1t was the only natural
place he could propose if he was to
carry out logically the stories he had
told for two long years.
"You do not answer" suggested
Nicolo Capriano. patiently.
I 1t was on Dave Henderson's tongue
to lay the whole story bare to the
date, day and hour Of that hotel rem
devious, but instead he shook ri
head. He was conscious of no distrus,
trustful! It was not that. 1t seemed
more an innate caution. that was an
absurd caution now because the rem.
devious meant nothing anyhow. tnas
had sprung up spontaneously Wlthln
him. He felt that he was suddenly IL
logical. He found himself answering
In a savage, dogged sort Of way. =.
s"That's all right" he said. II haven't
got his address-but. New York is
good enough. He spilled too much in
prison for me mo. not to, to Est kaoM Sinmif tnat
can only shake the police"
Ntcolo Capriano's blue-tipped fingers
went struggling through the long
%The poiicew He was whispering
sseminEly to hi%ss fatime Of ut the rs curasd
police-and I have my daughter TO
! think of-but I do not forget Tony
Lomazzi-Teresa would not have me
forget" He spoke abruptly to pave
Henderson. Tell me about tonight.
a hunted thing. and it is very evi-
/ dent that you have been in fight.
I suppose it was with the police, OF
| with this gang you speak OF; but. In
that case, you have ruined any cnance
| Of help from me If you led them here
| If, for instance, they are waiting no"
! for you to come out again.. -,
| IT do not think they are waiting!
said Dave Henderson, with q twisted
| smile. "And I think that the police
| end Of tonight, and maybe some OF
! the rest of It as we'll, is In the hos
pital by now! It's not much OF story
but unless that light in your back
porch, which was on for about two
seconds, could be seen up the lane.
there's no one could know that am
here"
The old Italian smiled curiously.
II do not put lights where they act
as beacons." he said whimsically. 1t
does not show from the lane; 1t is for
the benefit Of those inside the house.
Tell me your story"
Its not much" said Dave Hender-
SON again. "The police shadowed me
from the minute left the peniten-
tiary today. Tonight handed them
a little come-on, that's all, so as to
make sure that I had side tracked
them before coming here. And then
the gang, Baldy Vickers' gang
"Vickers-Baldy Vickers! Yes, yes.
know: they hang out at Jake Nor
risseys placer exclaimed the old
bomb king suddenly. "Runty Mott,
at was Runty Mott that butted in
tonight" said Dave Henderson. with
a short laugh. 81 had the fiy-cop go,
ing. all right. let him pick me UP IN
a saloon over the bar. He thought
was pretty drunk even then. We start
al ~ - Lo riOht of it-and the