The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-06-15
THIS BEGINS TIE STORY

Nichols, and goes to work on the
estate of Jonathan X. MCGUIRE.
Mcclure is being blackmaiIed by
one Hawk Kennedy. Kennedy
says MCGUIRE murdered Ben
Cameron in the West. Mcclure
says Kennedy did the killing, ana
Peter, believing Mcclure, resolves
to curcumvent Kennedy. Com
eron was the father of Beth Cam
eron, a girl with whom Peter has
fallen in love. He had found
copper Immediately before his
death, and Peter wins McGuire's
promise to give Beth a million
dollars when Kennedy Is siIenced.
Kennedy visits Peters cabin and
repeats his story. eff you play
me false I'll have your hearts
BLOOD" he says. Peter laughed.
E'Save the meIodrama for Nc
Guire," he says. I'm not Scared.'
he bluff worked and Kennedy re-
Taxed
AND HERE TT CONTINUES
ooh, you're a cool hand. I reckon
you think 1 need you or wouldn't be
here, Well, that's 50. I do need you.
And I'm goin' to tell you the truth
even If it gives away my hand
Suit yourself" said Peter indiffer-
emily
He watched his old ''bunkie" pour
out another drink of the whiskey, and
a definite plan of action took shape
in his mind. IF he could only get
Kennedy drunk enough The
whisky bottle was almost empty-so
Peter got up. went to his cupboard
and brought forth another one.
Good old Pete.' said Hawk.
Seems like July the first didn't make
much difference to you"
"a present from Mr.. MCGUIRE Pc
ter explained.
well. here's to his fat bank &C
count May it soon be ours" And
he drank copiously. Peter filled his
own glass, but when the opportunity
offered poured most OF 1t into the
slop-bow1 just behind him
I'm goin' to tell you, Pete, about
me and McGuire-about how we got
that mine. Tt amt a pretty story. l
told YOU some Of it, but not the real
part-nobody but Mike Mcclure and
I know that-and he wouldn't tell II
it was the last thing he said on earth
ooh" said Peter, something crook
ed, eh ?'
Kennedy laid his bony fingers along
Peters arm while his voice sanw to an
impressive whisper.
Kennedy laid his bony fingers along
Peters arm while his voice sank to an
impressive whisper.
CROOKED as neil, fele--cI OOrAoN as
hell. You wouldn't think Mike NC
CURE was murderer-Would you
"a rderer-
Kennedy nodded. 1--WE took that
rnine-stole it from the poor guy VINO
had staked out his claim. Mike killed
him
.sYou don't mean-
Eyes. SIR. Killed him-struck him
in the ribs with a knife when ne
wasn't lookin' What do you think or
that?"
Mcclure murderer
"sure. Nice sort of a boss you've
potr And he could swing for 1T IT L
didn't hold my tongue
'sT,his is serious
"you bet it is-if he don't come
across. Now I guess you know why
he was so cut up when 1 showed up
around here. I've got it on him all
right"
"Can you prove it?'
Kannedv rubbed his chin for a mo-
ment.
-e-Pete-" He passed again ana
nfinl1ed pensive1y at his glass Well
90, see-in a manner of speakin-
he's got 1t on me, too
And peter listened while his villain
.us Communion related the we'll known
ale of the terrible compact between
the two men in which both OF them
had agreed in writing to snare the
guilt of the crime, caretully o!,it.lns
70 state the compulsion as used upon
- state the conpulsion as used upon
Hocuire Hawk Kennedy lied II
Peter had ever needed any IL. nc
nrooP of the honesty OF MS employer
he read it in the shifting eye anu
uncertain verbiage of his guest. whose
+op.,a now wagged loosely whlle ne
was in McGuire's possession Ihe olIlet
q. ljs own Hawk was no pleasant
,oropaDion for an evenings entertain
+ From the interesting adVen-
+,reer Of the Bermudian, JIM CoaS'
rod been slowly changing unoer
ter's eyes into a personally NOR -
,,,Idat,Ie and sinister. And the or1hh
a-,,e5 70 he bringing into Importance
o+an+ialities for evil at which Peter
s o,1v euessed. That he meant 10
eg,+ 70 the last ditch for the money
1yas clear, and if the worst came WouIo'
a,,ar, confess, dragging McGulre oo~ II
.n,ons the ruins of both their !lVeS- ~
g. dy,,nlen condition it would nave
x,zerpowered him, but ne was h0' SUI
a. shat end that wculo lead
.vo,, saw there were two papers
Deter where are they
a1IcCzudre's got his-here at Black
Pock." muttered Hawk.
How do you know tha''
Peter with interest ,,s
.ey-bere would he keep it, Sneereo
..Jn his business papers Tor
1zecutors to look over
and where's yours?' asked Peter
He hoped for some motion Of Ken ken
nedy,s fingers to % neo nT9iv p no out
aoo t,,e, drink and leered at Peter I'M
pie ssIshat,sh my business" he said with
"oh. Is it? I thought was To
have a. hand in this
.ey,sra You job is t. get tn other
anar from McGuire's safe. And then
VEN have fortune in-his-nutshen
81 see. I've got to turn burglar 10
ioan your little criminal society sup
.ey, won't. why. Pete. 1t ought to
easiest Job in world A few dropsh