Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1922-12-08

take another. It's up to you how far
We 60. Now listen. l believe 1t was
merely curiosity that brought you here.
That's true, isn't ltF
Largely, yes"
You suspected something, and want
ed to find out II it was SO. Well, you
cam into a bad ncighborhood. We are
not nice 10 your kind around here.
What really caused your seeking meg'
Il do not know that | did" West
answered honestly. an fact | haven't
the slightest Idea who you are"
The other laughed.
80 you are as green as that. Then
I'll give you the information. My
name is Hobart, Jim Hobart. l am the
guy you were looking forY'
"YeS," West admitted, seeing no
reason to refuse an answer
y thought so, although darned II !
know how you ever located me here.
However, the o we come to some
understanding, the better. What do
you know about me?'
Nothing"
as 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 newsT'
"A conversation by telephone was
overheard"
"Now we are getting down TO facts.
And this comprises your entire infor-
nation, doesn't 1t? Let's check up, You
connected me with the case because
you We're with the uncle and her on
their call Sunday. You discovered In
some way that | had since disappeared
from that nelghborhood. Then you nc
cidentally got on to this telephone call,
and decided to run me down. Some
cute little detective, III say. But what's
the object7 What Is 1t you are trying
to connect me up with. What possible
cause can you have for butting In on
this affair.""
81 told you before; merely curiosity"
"And who was the guy with your
IAN old servant of the Coolidge fam
fly"
1T was mere curiosity In his case
also, l presumei"
$50 far as | know, yes"
Hobart smiled, showing his teeth
cruelty.
West" he said slowly, "you are a
ID good liar, but I 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 a 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 traI
him; indeed would possess no suspi
cions along that line. 1t was mis- owl
guilty conscience which drove him t.
l..a.. r..1;l,, I,J I,aD tprr
dered, and this man was either guilty
of the crime, or else knew the one whit
was. and had personal reasons for pro
tectlng the party.
These thoughts took possession o
his mind and were convincing. He NJ
longer questioned but that he was ol
the track of crime, yet his thought a
that moment concentrated more vivid
ly on his " personal peril, How
could he escape? What was he abou
to be confronted withf Nothing arounc
him afforded inspiration, He was boun'
helplessly; Sexton had disappeared
whether dead or a prisoner, he dit
not know; the walls of the room OK
hlbited no signs of weakness, Will
Hobart eyed his every movement cold
ly, evidently enjoying his predIcameni
Apparently the man comprehended In
nature of his thought.
"Perfectly useless, West" he sal
carelessly. This place was construct
ed for the purpose, and you are no
the only one who has tested 1t
strength. You will get out when | sa
so. and not before
do you intend to say sou
well. that depends" shrewdly. "Nc
II your release means my taking an
chances. But frankly, ! do not bellev
II will. SO far as | can see you pos
sess no particular interest In this ma
-. ter-only the attraction a young fello'
always feels in a pretty woman. Hay
| got that doped out rlght?'
ITO an extent, at least
Q Eyes, to a very large extent. G
y course, curiosity also played a par
e while everybody possesses a sneakIn
desire 10 do a detective act. Mis-
Coolidge filled you up with a lot