St. Tammany farmer., 1922-06-17

0ANS o
asked himself that question even as
ne slipped back into room that
opened to the left.
lie groped his way through the dark
ness, for he dared not flash his light
TO guide him. His fingers found the
edge OF desk. Round that he cir
cied toward a closet he remembered
having noted. His arm brushed the
closet door. Next moment he was in.
slde and had closed 1t softly behind
him.
And none too soon. For into the
room came the gunner almost on his
heels.
Jerry'u raise Ill" heavy voice
was saying as they entered the room.
And that amt ALL Wen land in stir
If we don't look out. We just ducked
bad fall. The bulls pretty near had
US That time we poked our nose out
from the park at Seventy-second
street."
Some one pressed button and the
room lenped to light. Through the
open crack Of the closed door Clay
recognized Gorilla Dave. The second
Of the gunner was out OF range of his
vision.
From the sound Of creaking furni-
ture Clay Judged that the unseen man
had sat down heavily. ut was that
blowout queered us. And say-how
came the bulls so hot on our trail3
Who raped to 'em7"
Must a been that boob wit the
goil. He got busy quick. Well, Jerry,
won't have to salve the cops this
time. We made our getaway all right"
said Dave.
''Say, where's Joey1"
"Pulled sneak likely. Wha's it
matter? Listen! What's that?"
Some one was coming up the stairs.
The men in the room moved cautious
ly to the door. The hall light was
switched on.
"Lo, jerry" Gorilla Dave called soft
ly.
He closed the room door and the
sound Of the voices was shut off In
stantly.
The unlimited guest dared not step
out OF the closet to listen, for at any
instant the men might re-enter He
crouched In his hiding place, the thir-
ty-eight in his hand.
The minutes dragged interminably.
More than once Clay almost made up
his mind to steal out to learn what
the men were doing. But his judg-
ment told him he must avoid a brush
with SO many II possible.
The door opened again
"Now beat it and do as / say II you
know what's good for you," bullying
voice was ordering.
The owner Of the voice came in and
slammed the door behind him. He sat
down at the desk, his back to the
closet Through the chink Clay saw
that the man was Jerry Durand.
From his vest pocket he took fat
black cigar, struck match and lit
it. He slumped down In the swivel
chair. It took no seer to divine that
his mind was busy working out prob
lem. Y
Clay stepped softly from his place
Of refuge, but not 80 noiselessly that
the gangman did not detect his pres
ence. Jerry swung round in the chair
and leaped up with catlike activity.
He stood without moving, poised on
the balls Of his feet, his deep-set eyes
narrowed to shining Sits. It was
in his thought to hurl himself head
long on the man holding steadily the
menacing revolver.
'Don't you! I've got the dead wood
on you," said the Arizonan, trench
ant saltness In his speech. "I'u shoot
you down sure as h-ls hot"
Durand's face wore an ugly look Of
impotent malice, but his throat was
dry as lime kiln. He could not es-
innate the dunger that confronted him
nor what lay back Of the mans pres
ence
"Whnt you d,ln' here?" he demanded.
MAXIM my party CALL" retorted
Clay easily.
Jerry cursed him with low, savage
stream Of profanity. The gangman
enraged was not a sight pleasing to
zee.
II reckon heaven, hi. and high
water couldn't keep you from cussin'
now. Relieve yore mind proper, Mr..
Durandr Then Wen talk business"
Clay In the low, easy drawl
that never suggested weakness.
The ex-prize-fghter's flow Of lam
guage dried up He fell silent and
stood swallowing his furious rage. It
had come home to him that this mar
row-fanked young fellow with the
close-gripped jaw and the cool, steady
eyes was entirely unmoved by his
threats.
"Quite through eftervescing7" asked
Clay contemptuously. ...-.. 4
The gung leader made no answer.
He chose to nurse his venom silently.
"Where's Kitty Mason7"
Still no answer.
Il asked you what you've done with
Kitty Mason?"
'"That's my business"
"By Cd, you'll tell, or TIL tear
It out Of you'll"
Clay backed to the door, found the :
key, transferred 1t to the inner side
NJ the lock. turned IL. and nut 1t In his