The diamond drill., 1921-06-04

the girl spotfed; we can my our hands
on her In an hour; and. believe me.
we've got the goods on the young LADY.
Here's the sticker that did the bnsi-
ness, and found II right where you
had hidden II away. can find three
men-they are. keeping out OF sight,
but can stir them up-who1l swear
that she went away alone with Aiva
from that factory over there: that he
had the bag with him. and that the
two got into the auto together. That
makes one h--l Of straight case.
don't TT"
The way you put it--yes. But
what good VIII II do you fellows TO
have her pinched? Where do you gain
anything2"
Time; II blocks the getaway with
the swag. That's all we want. See
here, Severn. we know where the stun
Is planted; at least we've got an idea.
but we've got TO work slow and eau
tious In order to lift 1t II II wasn't
for that we wouldn't care II she
skipped. II you'll help us TO get quick
action, we'll let the girl go, and give
you share Take my word for II,
that's d--n sight more than you'll
ever get by staying with her"
"But IL she finds out that have
turned her DOWN.
"She won't never find II out; well
keep mum. Besides, you're doin' her
good turn. keepin' her out OF the
electric chair. Well, there's the prop
osition-you can leave II, or take It."
Serious as the situation was. could
not fail to see It's absurdlty. This was
no threat 10 frighten me; the fellows
meant what they said. although
doubted II they really possessed the
knowledge claimed so gIibly. But they
evidently meant 10 60 on; they were
not bluffing, for they really had an
ugly case, and could undoubtedly make
trouble. The evidence against the girl
was strong, almost convincing; 1t even
shook my own confidence In her In
noccnce. The absurdity OF the situa-
tion lay In my absolute ignorance. l
knew even less than they pretended 20
know. What should ! do? Pretend,
manufacture some storyf had no
faith 1t would work. These fellows
were criminals, suspicious and unscru-
pulous: they would only believe what
could prove. II they caught me In
deliberate lie, as they probably
would. that would instantly end every
thing. ! might. then, just as well fight
IL out with them now as later. l set
my teeth ready for what / felt sure
was coming.
"You fellows have sized me up
wrong" said quietly, but firmly. Il
am not the kind To squeal because OF
a threat. You'll find I'll protect the
lady, but I'll do It In my own way
not yours. The honest truth Is. l
haven't anything to tell You won't
believe that, but II is so. know less
than you claim, 10 know. i have no
knowledge OF where the money is, or
who got IL. do not know who killed
Alva; even now l haven't any suspi-
cions worth mentioning But / Will
say this plainly-I do not believe this
girl did II, or that she had any hand
In the robbery. ! am going TO stay
with her TIL HI freezes over, II that
Is what you want 10 know. That's my
answer, Harris. and II is all I've got
to give you"
'You id curl wen show you
somethinig"
Perhaps you Will; you are three TO
one, and on your own dung-hill. But
the man who touches me Is going TO
get hurt; I'll promise you that. No,
you don't, Costigan; that trick won't
work."
tried 10 keep my eyes on the three
OF them, but his movement caused me
TO step back closer against the wall.
feared the Jew least; he had neither
spoken nor moved since our entrance,
and felt he had no stomach for any
farther fighting. Yet / judged wrong.
With one quick dash forward he
grlpped my wrist as l reached back
for revolver, and flung his burly
frame against me with such force as
10 have thrown me headlong but for
the support Of the wall. Before
could wrench myself free, the others
closed In desperately, content to use
their hands. unwilling, perhaps, TO
create any alarm with firearms. ! was
a better fighting man than any one of
the three, but combined they had the
advantage l wrenched free from the
Russian, and thus got one hand In ac-
tion, yet that was all. / know
planted one joting blow straight
against Costlgan's round face which
made him vince. and got a foot fair
into Harris stomach, sending him reel
ing backward. Indeed staggered the
two of them, twisting out Of the grip
Of those Iron finSers, aud smashing a
step forward In spite Of every effort.
l was maddened, frenzled. reckless OF
all injury, eager only TO injure those
devils In any conceivable way; hate