The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1922-09-01
CHAPTER TX
The eanaman Sees Red.

Exactly thirty minutes after Clay
had left him TO break into the house,
Johnnie lifted his voice in loud wall
for the police He had read some
where that one can never find an
officer when he is wanted, but the
Bull-of- Bashan roar of the cOwpuncher
brought them running from all direc-
lions.
Out of the confused explanations Of
the range-rider the first policeman to
reach him got two lucid statements.
They're white-slavin' straight
girl. This busher says his pal went in
to rescue her half an hour ago and
hasn't showed up SINCE" he told his
mates.
With Johnnie bringing up the rear
they made u noisy attack on the front
door of Number 121. Almost immedl-
stely 1t was opened from the inside.
Four men had come down the stairs
In headlOng rush to cut off the es-
cape of one who had outwltted and
tainted them.
Those who wanted to get in and
those who wanted to get out all tried
to talk at once, but as soon as the
police recognized Jerry Durand they
gave him the floor
"We're after flat-worker," ex-
planned the ex-pugllist. "He must be
tryin' for a roof getaway" He turned
and led the Joint forces back up the
stairs.
Thugs and officers surged up after
him, carrying with them In their rush
the Runt. He presently found himself
on the roof with those engaged in q
man-hunt for Ia friend. When Clay
shattered the window and disappeared
inside after his escape from the roof,
Johnnie gave a deep sigh Of relief.
This gun-play got on his nerves, since
Lindsay was the target Of 1t.
The bandy-legged range-rlder was
still trailing along with the party ten
minutes later when its scattered men,
bers drew together In taclt admission
that the hunted man had escaped.
The gang leader was in a vile tenn
per. If this story reached the news
papers all New York would be laugh.
Ing at him. He could appeal to the
police, have Clay Lindsay arrested, and
get him sent up for term on the
charge of burglary, But he could not
do it without the whole tale coming
out. One thing Jerry Durand could
not stand was ridicule. His vanity
was one Of his outstanding qualities,
and he did not want it widely known
that the boob he had intended to trap
had turned the tables on him, man.
handled him, jeered ut him and locked
him In room with his three bench
men.
Johnnie Green chose this malaprOpos
moment for reminding the officers Of
/ the reason for the coming to the
house.
"What about the young ladyT" he
asked solicitously.
Durand wheeled on him, looked him
over with an insoIent malevolent eye,
and jerked thumb In his direction.
who is this guy?'
Hes the fellow tipped us of his pal
was inside" answered one Of the pa
trolmen. He spoke in a whisper close
to the ear Of Jerry. Likely he knows
more than he let's on. Shall / make a
pinch?"
The eyes of the gang leader mar
rowed. $50 he's friend of this sec
ond-story bird, is hep
"Ybetchar' chirped up Johnnie,
"Nnd I'm plumb tickled to take his
dust, too. Now, about this we're young
lady"
Jerry caught him hard on the side
OF the jaw with shOrt-arm jOit. The
range-rider hit the pavement hard.
Slowly he got to his feet nursing his
cheek.
what yuh do that for, doggOne it,"
he demanded resentfulIy. me, /
wasn't lookin' for no trouble. Me,
+"
Durand leaped at him across the
sidewalk. His strong fingers closed
on the throat of the ybow-lessed
puncher.
The officers pried Jerry loose from
his victim with the greatest difficulty.
He tried furiOusly to get at him,
lunglng from the men who were hold
ing his arms.
The puncher sank helplessly against
the wall.
uHe's 0nt all ha can carry Mr. I'm
rand" one of the bluecoats said, sooth-
ingly. "You don't wantta croak the
little guy. Gimme the word, an I'll
run him in for a drunk"
Jerry shook his head. "Nope. Let
him go, Pete"
The policeman walked up to the
Runt and caught him roughly by the
arm. Move along outa here. I'd
ought to pinch you, but I'm not gonna