Evening star., 1921-10-08
tcontinued from Yesterdays Star.)

Continued from Yesterdays Star.)
NicoIo Capriano was leaning forward
in his bed, and there was a new, Lew SI -
ish light in the coal-hlack eyes-liike
some long -smoldering name leapihs
suddenly into a blaze.
go on he breathed impatientiy.
Go on! All! I can see it all!
"Runty Mott and his crowd must
have been trailing me Dave hen
derson smiled grimly. They tnousne NJ
both the f1y-cop and myself were
drunk. But to cover their own game
and make their play at me they had 10
get the fiy-cop out OF the road hrs.'
One of the gang came into the saiooh;
faxed a quarrel with the fiy-cop, ana
knocked him out. didn't know what
was up until then. when l caugnt
sight Of Runty Mott and the rest OF
his crowd pushing in through the
door" Dave Henderson's smile grew
ed something-but they didn't finish
it. They had it all framed up well
enough-the lights switched on, ana
all that, so as to lay me out and KID
nap me, and then stow me away some,
where and make me talk He Jerked
his hand toward his torn garments.
There was a bit of a fight, he salo
quietly Il left them there paving the
air in the dark. and l was down mere
i'll your porch before any OF them got
out TO the Zane. L ldHCS thSiS soh'
little row up there now on account OF
that fy-cop they put to sleep"
Nicoio Capriano's hand reached out
and began to pat excitedly at Dave
Henderson'S sleeve.
IT is like the old days." he said
feverishly. 1T is like the young blood
warming up an old mans veins again.
Yes, yes; it is like the old days back
once more. All, my young friend. II
had had you on the night that Tony Lo-
mazzi was trapped, instead of-nut
that is too late, eh? Yes-too late!
but you are clever, and you. use your
head, and you have the courage, That
is what I like! Yes. assuredly. 1 Will
help you, and not only for Tony Lo-
mazzfs saks, but for your own. You
shall have your chance. your fighting
chance. my young friend. and you will
run down your man"-his voice was
rising in excitement-"and the money
-eh! Yes, yes. And Nicolo Capriano
still higher Teresa! Here, Teresa.
he shouted.
The door opened; the girl stood on
the threshold.
Father she said reprovingly. "you
are exciting yourself again.
The old bomb kings voice was In
stantly subdued.
mo, I am not! You see-my little
one! You see. 1 am quite calm Ana
now listen to me. This is Tony Lo-
our friend. Is it not so? Well, then.
listen! He is in need OF help. 1 he po-
lice must not get him. So, first, he
must have some clothes instead OF
those torn ones. Get him some of mine.
They will not fit very well-but they
will do. Then you viii telephone EN-
manuel that / have guest for him
who does not like the police. guest
by the name of Smith-that is enough
for him to know. And tell Emmanuel
that he is to come with his car, and
wait a block below the lane. And aft
er that again you will go out, Teresa,
and let US know if all is safe. and if
there is still any police, or any one
else. in the lane. Eth? Well, run them
Yes" she said. She was looking at
friendly smile in the dark. steady
eyes, though she still addressed her
father. And what news does he
bring US of Tony:"
you will know by and by, when
there is time,'' her father answered
with sudden brusqueness. Run now!
She was back in few moments with
an. armful of clothes: then once more
left the room, this time closing the
door behind her.
Nicolo Capriano pointed to a second
door at the side of the room.
There is the bathroom, my young
friend" he said crisply. GO in there
and wash the blood off your face,
ana cnanSS your ciOtneS.
Dave Henderson hesitated.
DO you think it is safe for her, for
your daughter, to go out there?" he
demurred. There was more of a row
than perhaps p! led you to imagine, and
the police
denly in derision. Listen. my young
friend, you need have no fear. Ny
daughter is a Capriano-eh? Yes, and
like her father. she is more than a
match for all the police in San Fran
cisco. Go now, and change: 1t will
1t took Dave Henderson perhaps ten
minutes to wash and bathe his bruises
and change into the Italians clothes
At the expiration of that time he
surveyed the result in a small mirror
that hung on the wall The clothes
were readymade. and far from new
they were ill-f1tting. and they bulged
badly in places. His appearance was
not fiattering! He might have passed
for an Italian navy in hard luck and
- He smiled queerly, as he turned
from the mirror and transferred the
money he had received from Square
John Kelly, together with his few be-
longtngs, from the pockets Of his dis
carded suit to those of the one he
now had on. He stepped out into the
bedroom.
Nicolo Capriano in turn surveyed
the metamorphosis critically for a
moment-and nodded his head in ap-
proval.
"Good"' calculated the old boms
king. Excellent" He rubbed his
thin fingers together. YES, yes. 1t is
like the old days again! Ha, ha, old
Nicolo still plays hand In the game,
and old Nicolo's head is still on his
shoulders. Three or four days! That
would be easy even for a child! EN-
manuel will take care of that But
we must do better than that-eh
And that is not so simple! To hide
away from the police is one thing,
and to outwit them completely is an
other! Is it not SO? You must give
the old man, whose brain has grown
rusty because 1t has been so long
idle. time to think. eh? 1t will do you
eh? But. listen, you will hide while
old Nicolo thinks-you understand!
You can trust Emmanuel-but tell
him nothing. He keeps a little restau-
rant. and he will give you room up
stairs. You must not leave that room
YOU must not show yourself. until you
rear from me. You quite under
stand?
You need not worry on that score'
said Dave Henderson. grimly.
Good" cried the old Italian again
only my daughter and myself will
know that you are there. You car
leave it to old Nicolo to find way
Yes, yes"-excitement was CROWNS
upon the man again; he rocked his
body to and fro-"old Nicolo and the
police-ha. ha! Old Nicolo. who is
dying in his bed-eh? And" His
voice was hushed abruptly; he lower.
ed himself back on his pillows. Here