The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-10-25
EPISODE SEVEN
Clinch's Dump
CHAPTER 1


there.
Somewhere in Clinch's Dump was
hidden the Flaming Jewel. Now was
his time TO search for it.
There were two other reasons why
he should go back. One of them was
that Leverett was loose. If anything
had called Trooper StOrmOnt away,
Eve would be alone in the house.
And nobody on earth could forecast
what a coward Ike Leverett might
attempt.
But there was another and more
serious reason for returning to
Clinch's. Clinch, blood-mad, was
headed for Drowned Valley with his
men. TO stop both ends Of that vast
morass before Quintana and his gang
could get out.
1t was evident that neither Chnch
nor any Of his men-althOugh their
very lives depended upon familiarity
with the wiIderness-knew that a
third exit from Drowned Valley ex-
isted.
And that was why Darragh. or Hal
smith, finally decided to return TO
Star Pond-because if Quintana had
been told or had discovered that cir
cuitous way cut Of Drowned Valley,
he might go straight TO Clnch ;
Dump. And. suppoSins Stor-
mont was still there, how long could
one State Trooper stand of Quintana ;
gang?
No sooner had Ciinch aud his rn"tley
followers disappeared in the dust than
Smith uuSiung l.S b;tSket-pacE, nshed
ont q big electric torch. flashed Il
tentatively. and then. reSiinging the
pack and takinc his rife in lis left
hand. he set of at an easy swinging
stride.
For long while he lid not as.re to
Use his torch: but now he was
obliged To.
He shined the ground at his fee,
elevated the torch with infinite p.vcau-
ton. throwiug q fan-shaped light ever
the stretcl eof sink he had suspected
and feared M It fanked the fi1c. Wet
path of on either side. Here
De1th SIP i its Shiny trap IT his
-ery feet
hen. s.s he stood taking his bear
MS with burning torch. far ahead
ID tne darkness al light flashed. went
.ds. flashed twice more and was ex-
-.r-uiShed.
CIatalJ.
.mith's wits were working like
gntning, but instinct guided him be
OIL. his brain took command. He
-valed his torch and repeated the
three signal flashes. Then. in dark
ness. he came to swift conclusion.
For three hundred yards. counting
uis strides. he continued on. Then
iu total darkness. he pOcketed the
torch. slid a cartridge int othe breech
# his rife. slung the weapon. pulled
out handkerchief. and tied it across
mis- face under his eyes.
He continued TO move forward
After a little while his ear caught a
slight splash ahead. Suddenly a glare
Of light enveIoped him.
rs it YOU, Harry Beck?
Instinct led again while wits worked
madly: Harry Beck is two miles
hack on guard. Where is Sard?''
The silence became terrible. Once
The glaring light in front moved, then
became fixed. There was a light
splashing. Instantly Smith realized
that the man in front had set his
torch in a tree-crotch and was now
covering somewhere behind leveled
weapon. His voice came presently;
"Hel Drap-a that-a gun damn
quick!
Smith bent leisurely, and laid his
rift on a messy rock.
Now, You there. Why you want
Sard. Eh?F
I'm tell Sard, not you" retorted
Smith coolly You listen tn me,
whoever you are. I'm from Sard's
office in New York. I'm Abrams. The
police are on their way here 10 find
Quintana."
A movement might have meant
death, but he calmly rummaged for
a cigaret, lighted it, blew cloud in
soIently toward the white glare ahead.
Then he took another chance:
II guess you're Nick Salzar, aren't
you?"
81! I am sslzar. Who the dew
are your"
I'm Eddie Abrams, Sard's lawyer.
Ny business is to find my client If
YOU stop me you'll so te prison the
whole gang Of you-Sard, Quintana,
Picquet, Sanchez. Georgiades and
Harry Beck-and your
After q dead silence: Maybe
you'll go to the chair. toO"'
It was the third chance he took.
There was a dreadful stiffness in
the woods. Finally came p slight
series OF splashes; the crunch Of
heavy boots on rock.
For why you coma here, eh?' de-
mauded Salzar, in a less aggressive
manner. "What-a da matt eh?''
Well said Smith. IF you've got
to know. there are people from Es-
thonia in New York . II you un-
derstand that"
Christi, When do they arrive?"
"A week ago. Sard's place is in
the hands Of the police. l couldn't
stop them. They've got his safe and
all his papers. City. State, and
Federal officers are looking for him.
The constabulary rode into Ghost
lake yesterday. Now, don't you
think you'd better lead me to Sard?'
Christi exclaimed Salzer. ''Sard
ne Is a mile ahead with the others.
Damn Damni Me. how should I
know what is to be DONE Me.
have my orders from Quintana. What
In do CHI Christi What IA dn7