The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-12-10

not moved from her position near
tho far end Of the room lie be-
came conscious that he was still
holding his revolver In his hand,
and he thrust the weapon quietly
now into his pocket A grim smile
camo and hovered on his lips This
complication, another Of the rami-
fications Of his stolen identity, he
ala not understand at all--except
that 1t promised him no good. She
was the author OF last nights note
che had Just said as much--and
tho wording OF that note was not
reassuring as 10 her attitude to-
ward him, nor was the mocNery
In her laugh. nor wac the sef-con.
tained, almost contcmptuous note
Of command with which she had
just spoken. Who was she? What
was she to the Rat. that she knew
the secret Of that underground tun-
ncl and the secret Of that door?
He jcrkcd his hand toward the
chair Red Nallon had vacated
"Slt down. won't your" There
was a tlngle Of irony In his voice.
His invitation was at least safe
ground.
She came forward toward the
table, subtle supple grace in her
movements. Subconsciously he
noted that she made no sound as
she crossed the ROOM She was like
n cat--but a very beautiful cat. lie
could see her face better now. Tho
eyes were hard and unfrIendly, but
thoy were great, brown. steady eyes
OF unfathomable depths.
She leaned against the table.
II prefer to stand" There was
challenge in her tones. What
/ have to cay will not take long.
Billy Kane waited. The initiative
was with her. lie meant 1t to re-
main so, Her small white hand,
ungloyed, clenched suddenly at her
side until its knuckles stood out
like little chalky knobs.
You look sleeker about the face,
clearer about the eyes-you beast"
There was a studied deliberation in
her voice that gave the words tho
sting OF q curling whiplash. Per
haps you've BEEN"
you wero listening there at the
door," suggested Billy Kane i'm
perturably, as he reached into his
pocket for a cigarette.
There was moclclng little lift to
her shoulders.
'Of course! That is what I came
for. l followed Red Vallon here.
supposed that you would meet at
the old place. now that you are
back; but since you are an in
alid'-AEain the shoulders lifted.
II am afraid It hardly paid you
for the troublc---to listen" Billy
Kane murmurcd caustlcally. I'm
sorry! / rather fancied l saw the
door move, and you see. my illness
has affected my voice. and at times
can scarcely speak above a whie-
per. otherwise you might have over
heard
'T overheard enoughl" She took
step toward him. Her eyes were
flashing now; there was flush.
angry red. mounting from the white
throat, suffusiug her cheeks. She
raised her clenChed hand "You
would die with insolence and brav-
ado on your lips. l believe!" she
cried out passionately. How
hate you! But I've got you--lks
him. and the small clenched hand
opened and then closed again,
slowly, as though in It's grip II were
remorseiessly crushing and exterm-
mating some abhorrent thing. And
then her hand was raised again
and was brushed across her eyes,
and little quiver ran through her
form. and she spoke more calmly.
Il overheard enough. ] thought
this Merxler affair would be worked
tonight, and l came 10 tell you
that YOU arc to stop IT. l came to
tell you to--remcnber! promise,
before God, that II there Is muir
der done tonight you will be in the
hands OF the police within an hour.
And It's not very far from the
tombs to the death chair in Sing
Sng-Bundy Morgan"
Billy KaUe's eyes were hidden by
dropped lids. His eyes were study
ing with curious abstraction the
pattern OF the faded, greasy, thread
bare strip OF carpet on the floor
beside the bed Murder! The
word had come with a shock that
for a moment unnerved him. He
had not associated anything that
Red Yallon or Karlin had said with
murder They had spoken so
lightly, referred to It in so hum
drum a way Murder! There was
something ghastly in that light
ness now. A ughtness came to his
lips horror was creeping into his
soulsoul lie was only on the verge