The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-02-09
The Wreckers
Francis LyRde
Continued From Yesterday,

II was right along IN the same
hhlfminutc. while the boss was
standing with his back 90 the fire
| and the major was going Ia to talk
10 him. that.i lost Maisic Ann. I
don't know where she went. or how.
She had let 80 OF my wrist. and when
I CROPPED for her she was gone. Since
! didn't see any good reason why l
should stay and spy upon tho boss
and the major. I slipped out TO the
hall and curlcd up on the big settec
beyond the coat rack; eurled up. and
after listening a white TO the dronc
OF voices in the fa1her room. went
to sleep.
II was away deep In the night
when the boss took hold OF me and
shook me awake. Tho long talk was
Jus, getting itself finished. and the
major had come to the door with hts
guest.
1--WE must manage 20 pun Coiiing.
wood out OF II In some way" the
major was saying. Il don't love the
damn scoundrei any bctteh than you
do. Graham: but thah's rca<on-a
family reason. IA you might say"
Then he switched off quickly. you
haven't asked me yet why ran
away from home this evcnin' when
was expecting YOU
'No." said the boss. .'Sheiis told
me that you had telephone call TO
the Billiard"
The old Kentucixian chuckied.
Yes. sub: and you'd neveh guess
In thousand yeahs who sent the
call or what was wanted. II was
our friend Hatch. and no otheh. And
he had the face TO offch me ten
thousand dollahs yeah to act an
consulting counsel for him against
the railroad company
-Of course you accepted said the
| boss. meaning just the opposite.
The major chuckled again. Il
talked with him long enough to find
out about where he stood He thinks
he's got you By the neck. but. like
most men OF his breed. he's a paltr,
coward. sub. at heart"
The boss laughed. What Is he
afraid Oft"
Hes afraid Of his rtfe He told
me. with his eyes buwgsn' out That
thah was one man heah In Portal
City who would kin him to, get POS
session OF certain papehs that were
Security National
The boss was pulling on his xsoves.
Il didn't give him any reason 20
think that was anxious to murder
HIM" he said.
'oh. no. my deah boy. n isn't you.
NJ all. It's Howie Collinrwood.
Thsh's where we land afteh all II
said and done. Youh hands arc tied.
and we've got this heah young
maniac to deal with. II collingwood
gets about three fingehs OF red
iikkeh under his belt. why. thah's
one murder In prospect And N
Hatch has any reason TO think that
you can still get the underholt on
him. why. thah's another. I'm glad
you've seen nj to take Ripley's nd.
vice nj last. and got you body.
guard
Whats shatr- querfed me boss.
But the query was answered . min.
ute later when he hit the sidewalk
for the tramp back to town and
Tarbcli fen In 10 wark three steps
behind rs an the way 70 the door
Of the railroad club.
II sure did look M n things were
just about as bad a. they could
ever be. now. Hatch ono. more on
top. the whole bottom knocked out
of the railroad experiment. our
good nanie for political hopes,y
gone giimmerinx. and. wors, Of all.
perhaps. the boss big heart broken
right In two over those four little
words that nothing could ever rub
out-'he In my husband I didn't
wonder that the boss said never q
word In all that long walk down
town. or that he forgot 20 tell me
good night when he locked himself
up in his room at the club.