The Holbrook news., 1922-08-11

 Clay in his gently ironic drawl.
 "Slim" Jim growled something the meaning of which was drowned in an oath.
 You say it was a free ride? Much obliged. That's sure fair enough" Clay went on easily. "Well, didn't come to talk to you about that. Eve got other business with you this mo'n- in'."
 The chauffeur looked at him sullen- ly and silently.
 Suppose we get inside the cab. where we can talk comfortably" Clay proposed.
 "Slim" Jim stepped into the cab and sat down. Clay followed him, closing the door.
 Have you seen Jerry Durand this sunny mo'nin'?" asked Lindsay, with surface suitability.
 ''Wot's it to you?" demanded Col lins.
 Not thing. Nothin' a-tall." agreed Clay. But it may be somethin' to you I'm kinda wOnderin' whether I'll have to do to you what did to him."
 ''Slim" Jim reached for the door hastily.
 A strong, sinewy hand fell on his arm and frightened. slightly twisting the flesh as the fingers sank deeper
 Collins let out yell. "Gawd! Don't do that. You're killin' me-"
 Beg yore pardon. An accident. If I get annoyed I'm liable to hurt with out meanin' to-" apologized Clay. suavely. 'I'll come right down to brass Jacks, MT. Collins. You're through with Annie Millikan. Understand"
 Say, wOt tells this stuff you're pip in? Who d. you t'ink youse are?"
 ''Never you mind who I am. You'll keep away from Annie from now on absolutely. If you bother her-if any thing happens to her-well, you go and take a good long look at Durand before you make any mistakes"
 You touch me an I'll croak you. Seel" hissed Collins.
 "A gun-play?" asked Clay pleasant ly. Say, there's a shootin' gallery round the corner. Come along. wantta show you somethin'.".
 "Aw, go to h-l"
 The sinewy hand moved again to- ward the aching muscles of the gun man. Collins changed his mind hur- riedly.
 "All right. I'll come," he growled
 Clay tossed a dollar down on the counter, took 20 and aimed at the row of ducks sailing across the gal lery pool. Each duck went down as 1t appeared. He picked up second rifle and knocked over seven or eight mice as they scampered across the target screen. With a third gun he snuffed the flaming eye from the right to the left side of the face that grinned at him, then with another shot sent 1t back again. He smashed a few clay pipes by way of variety. To finish off with, he scored six center shots in a target and rang bell each time. Not one single bullet had failed to reach Its mark.
 The New York gunman had never seen such speed and accuracy. He was impressed in spite of the insolent sheer that still curled his lip.
 "Got a six-shooter-a fohty-fve?" asked Clay of the owner of the gal lery.
 "No."
 Sorry. I'm not much with a rife, but Pm good average shot with a six-gun. I kinda take to it natural" They turned and walked back to the cab. Collins fell into the Bowery strut.
 "Tryin' to throw scare into me-" he argued feebly.
 "Me? Oh, no YoU mentioned soft music and the preacher Mebbeso. But it's liable to be for you if you monkey with the 5uzz-saw. Pm no gun sharp, but no man who cant empty revolver in shade better than two seconds and put every bullet inside the rim of cup at fifteen yards wants to throw lead at me. You see, I hang up my hat in Arizona. I grew up with a six-gun by my side"
 q should worry. This is little old New York, not Arizona" the gangman answered.
 'That's what yore boss Durand thought. What has it brought him but trouble? Lemme give you some thing to chew on. New York's the big gest city of the biggest, freest country on Gods green footstOOl. You little sewer rats pull wires and think you run it. Get wise, you poor lOcoed gink. You run it about as much as that fly on the wheel of yore taxi drives the engine. Durand's the whole works by his way of it, but when some one calls his bluff see where he gets off"
 "He ain't through with you yet" growled "Slim" Jim, sulkily.
 'Mebbe not, but you-you're through with Annie" Clay caught him by the shoulder and swung him round. His eyes bored chilly into the other man. Don't you forget to remember not to forget that. Let her alone. Don't go near her or play any tricks to hurt her. Lay off for good. If you don't well, you'll pay heavy. I'll be on the job personal to collect"
 Clay swung away and strOde down the street, light-heeled and 1.-the, the sap of vital youth in every rippling muscle.
 "Slim" Jim watched him, snarling