The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-12-24
tcontinued from Last week.
Copyrieht 1922, BY Geo n Doran o..
CHAPTER ~ (Contlnued.)

n
- night. Mer1ler did not move
save that at tho end hIs hand
sought and found and closed tight
uron Billy Kane's arm.
It was Merxler in n now light
who spoke
You've saved my llfe-and you
haven't preached" he said slowly
Pm "a fool, I've played the fool
they never would have tried TO get
away with 70 II / hadn't played the
fool all my life. ! guess perhaps
I've had my lesson tonight. But
fool. ur not'-hia voice rasped sud.
denly. bitter hard "karin Will
pay for this. or "
You will--yetl" Billy Kane cut
in grimly you know too much.
and you haven't minute 10 lose.
They lost thdr heads for a mo.
ment in tho confusion and the dark
ness when We Eut away, but their
one hope now viii be 10 get you
before you tell your story. They
may figure that you will hesitate
about telling IT, as you would have
TO admit your presence at Jerry's
gambling holland they may figure
that you wouldn't net anyway be-
fore morning. Do you understand
That's their chance. Your chance
is the police itiuut seconds do.
lay--you may even get Karlln be-
fore he regains consciousness, or
before they try to move him, II
you're quick enough. ! know your
story viii sound strange with an
unknown man in a mask running
through It. bus you have only TO
toll the truth. You have all the
evidence you need The police will
know the Chipper, who forged the
papers, and the police viii know
how to make those fake witnesses
TO the will squeal--i a different
proposition now with them than
simply appearing before Karin and
notary Lahiic and swearing to the
signatures. Understand?
yes" said Msrxler tersely.
"You're right--and I'll sac I.
through but you-you saved my
life, and"
Il get out here" said Billy Kane,
and leaning forward suddenly,
tapped sharply on the glass front.
They had turned into the street
that was not only In the rear of
The Purple Scarf, but was equally
in the rear OF that secret entrance
into the Rats lair. He held out
his hand to Merxler. Goodnight,
MerNler--I----"
But Merxler cried, az the taxi
stopped. II cant let you go Ike
this! | owe you too much. Who are
you2 What is your name? Where
can | find you to"
I'm trying TO find myself"
said Billy Kane. with grim whim.
sicality Let 1t 90 at that" He
caught Merxler's hand in a hard
grip. Goodnight, Merxler-and
good luckl" he said, and stepping
quickly from the taxi, closed the
door. He handed the chauffeur an
other bill, Drive this gentleman
to police headquarters--fast!" he
ordered, and. turning. moved
swiftly away down the street, hug
cling the shadows again. avoiding
the rays Of the street lamps.
lie slipped into the lane, gained
the shed. and from the shed made
his way through the underground
passage TO the secret door, listened
here intently for a moment, then
stepped through into the Rats
room, and CROPPED forward toward
the electric light that hung over
the table.
II was strange! There was some
thing almost mockingly ironic in It
ALI 1t was like the night before
again, In peril himself as grave
as MerXler's, he had saved Merx-
ler--nnd his own peril remained,
was increased even, for the inner
circle OF this crime world that
ranked him as a trusted confed-
crate would be aroused now to an
unbridled pitch of fury aud excite
ment, seeking the unknown man in
the mask who had foiled them to.
night. Suspicious as they would
be OF every one, he now had that
suspicion TO combat. and he could
i'll afford that a breath OF IL should
touch him. His all was at stake
Red Nallon, with the underworld
at his heels, was enlisted now in
D hunt for those rubies, which. II
successful. must inevitably dis
cover too the identity OF the man,
Or men, who had murdered David
and who had driven
lin, Billy Kane. into this damn
ible exile! II was paramount vital,
hat he should preserve his au-
horlty 10 keep the underworld AT
hat work, the power to command.
he
Billy Kane switched on the cleo
rio light and stood staring at the
able, grim faced, his jaws locked
igbt together. HIS hand like "a !iash
eeking his revolver In hts pocket.
Ms eyes lifted and swept around
he room. The swift. quick glance
'ent unrewarded The room was
pparently as he had left II. He
rossed quickly to the street door
was still locked.
Again his eyes searched the
oom, He remembered that she
ad spoken OF other secrets that
he room possessed. What were
hey? Still another entranceY