The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-06-15
CONTINUED from Last issue)
CHAPTER XII.

comes to many men who live in the
outdoors on the antamed frontier
warned Clay that all was not we'll
The machine had swung to the right
md was facing from the wind instead
of into it. Clay was not very we'll
acquainted with New York, but he
lid know this was not the direction
IN which he wanted to 60.
Lindsay opened the door and swung
,ut on the running board. 'We're &C.
IN wrong. Stop the cart" he ordered.
The man at the wheel did not turn.
He speeded up. :.
His fare wasted no time in remon-
strances. A moment, and the chauf-
,eur threw on the brake sharply. His
reason was a good one. The blue nose
Of revolver was jammed hard against
his ribs. He had looked round once
10 find out what it was prodding him.
That was enough to convince him he
had better stop.
Under the brake the back wheels
sskdded and brought up against the
curb. Clay, hanging on by one hand,
was flung hard to the sidewalk. The
cab teetered, regained its equilibri-
I'm, gathered impetus with a snort, and
leaped forward again.
as the cattleman clambered to his
feet he caught one full view of the
ckauffeurs triumphant, vindictive face.
He had seen it before, at reception
especially arranged for him by Jer-
ry Durand one memorable night. It
belonged to the more talkative of the
two gunner lie had surprised ut the
pretended poker game. He knew, too,
without being told that this man and
"Slim" Jim Collins were one and the
same. The memory of Annie's strick-
en- face carried this conviction home
to him.
The rain pelted down as he moved
toward the brighter lighted street that
intersected the one where he had been
dropped. The lights Of saloon caught
his eye ut the corner. He went in,
got police headquarters on the wire,
and learned that car answering the
description Of the one used by his alb
ductor had been headed into Central
park by officers and that the downtown
exits were being watched.
Presently he picked up another taxi
He hesitated whether to go to the
address Annie had given him or to join
the chase uptown. Reluctantly, he de-
cided to visit the house.
4 IT. <lr{,, nj Of
the house numbers as he moved up
the street he wanted. Many Of the
residences were used to keep dodgers
in. Others were employed for less
reputable purposes.
His overcoat buttoned to his neck,
Clay walked without hesitation up the
steps of the one numbered 243. He
rang the bell and waited, his right
hand in the pocket Of his overcoat.
The door opened cautiously few
inches and pair Of clOse-set eyes
in a wrinkled face gimleted Clay.
"Whadya want?"
1.-THE old man sent me with n mes
scge." answered the Arizonan prompt
ly. Got everything ready for the
girl?"
Say who the HI are youse?"
zone !Of Sims friends. Listen, we
got the kid--picked her up ut drug
store"
II don know watcher fairy tales
about
Clay put his foot against the door
to prevent It from being closed and
drew his hand from the overcoat peck
ct. In the hand nestled blue-nosed
persuader.
Unless the eyes peering into the
night were bad barOmeters of their
owners inner state, he was In panic
Of fear.
"Love O. Cave. L:.onr shoot" he
chartered. II amt nobody but the
caretaker."
He backed slowly away. followed by
Lindsay. The barrel Of the thirty
eight held his eyes fascinated. BY
the light of his flash Clay discovered
the man to be a chalk-faced little in
consequent.
Say, don't point that ut me-" the
old fellow implored.
Are you alone?" .. -;
"YOu know it."
us Jerry comm himself with the
others?"sR = F'& = ~
'They don't none of them tell me
nothin'. I'm nobody. I'm only Joey"
UNLOAD what you know. Quick
I'm In u hurry"
The man began rambling. whin.
ing tnle.&
The Arizonan learned that room
bod been prepared on the second floor
for woman. Slim had made the ar
rangements. Joe had heard Durand's
name mentioned, but knew nothing Of
the plans.
~31l look the house over. Move
along In front of me and don't, make
any mistakes. THIS six-gun is liable
to rermeato yore auato,ny with lead"