Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1922-12-29

hoi bNiss sNo.
"You suspected something, and want
ed to find out II lt was so. Well you
came Into bad neighborhood. We are
not nice TO your kind around here.
What really caused your seeking me?"
II do not know that I did," West
answered honestly. 'Tn fact l haven't
the slightest Idea who you are"
The other laughed.
$50 you are as green as that Then
I'll give you the information. My
name is Hobart, Jim Hobart. I am the
guy you were looking forf'
"Yes," West admitted. seeing no
reason to refuse an answer.
II thought so, although darned II I
know how YOU ever located me here.
However the sooner we come to some
understanding. the better. What do
you know about mel"
Nothing"
us that so! You knew my name
when spoke II. II was the Coolidge
matter that sent you hunting me. You
thought the girl was here, didn't your
81 had reason to believe she came
here"
II see how did you gain that news?"
"A conversation by telephone was
overheard"
Now we are getting down to facts.
And this comprises yom entire infor.
nation, doesn't IL? Let's check up. You
connected me with the case because
YOU were with the uncle and her on
their call Sunday. You discovered In
some way that had since disappeared
from that nelghborhood Then you ac-
cidentally got on to this telephone call,
and decided to run me down. Some
cute little detective, I'll say But what's
the object2 What Is II you are trying
to connect me up with. What possible
cause can you have for butting In on
this AFFAIR.""
II told you before; merely curiosity"
And who was the guy with your"
IAN old servant of the Coolidge fam
lly."
1T was mere curiosity In his case
also, ! presumeT
$50 far as know. yes"
Hobart smiled, showing his teeth
cruelty.
'West," he said slowly, "you are q
id good liar, bu: am about to spike
your gun. Go on out, Mike, and send
In the first witness"
The two sat silently watching each
other, Hobart pretending careless
ness he was far from feeling, uncertain
as to Vests real purpose The latter
realized now the true seriousness of
his position, yet this only increased
his belief In the reality of the crime.
Previously his mind had harbored
doubts, but the very fact that Hobart
would resort to such desperate meth
DDS was ample proof OF his apprehen-
sion of danger. If Percival Coolidge
had committed suicide. this fellow
would surely have nothing to fear he
could safely ignore any efforts to trap
him; indeed would possess no suspl.
clons along that line. II was ais own
guilty conscience which drove him to
desperation, Coolidge had been muir.
dered, and this man was either guilty
of the crime, or else knew the one who
was, and had personal reasons for pro.
tecting the party.
These thoughts took possession OF
his mind and were convincing. He no
longer questioned but that he was on
the track Of crime. yet his tn ought OF
that moment concentrated more vivid.
ly on his own personal peril. How
could he escape? What was he about
to be confronted with? Nothing around
him afforded inspiration. He was bound
helplessly; Sexton had disappeared,
whether dead or prisoner, he did
not know; the walls of the room eX.
hibited no signs of weakness while
Hobart eyed his every movement cold
ly, evidently enjoying his predicament.
Apparently the man comprehended the
nature of his thought.
Perfectly useless. West" he said
carelessly. "rhls place was construct
ed for the purpose, and you are not
the only one who has tested its
strength. You will get out when | say
so, and not before"
"DO you intend to say sO?"
We'll. that depends" shrewdly. mot
II your release means my taking any
chances. But frankly, do not believe
II VIII. So far as | can see you pos
sess no particular interest In this mat.
ter--only the attraction a young fellow
always feels In pretty woman. Have
got that dOped out rightT
ITO an extent, at least"
Eyes, TO II very large extent. or
course, curiosity also played part.
while everybody possesses a sneaklng
desire to do detective act. Miss
Coolidge filled you up with a lot of
bunk she was good looking, and you
fell for II. Certain things happened
that you failed TO understand, so you
rather naturally jumped to the conclu-
sion that some crime was being con.
cOcted. That was what brought you
here. Now | take II that. ordinarily.
you are man OF some sense. Conse-
quently l mean to try to get you to
drop the whole affair, as being none of
your business. If you agree to this, I
accept your pledge. the door opens, and
you go free: otherwise" he waved
his hand eXpressively.