Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1922-10-10
EPISODE TREE
On Star Peak

Mike Clinch. regarded the jewell
taken from Jose Quintsna as legtii
mate loot acquired in war.
He was prepared to XIII anybod,
who attempted 10 take the gems
from him.
ear the very possibility his ruling
passion blazed--his mania TO make
fBve Strayer a grand lady
Bst now. what he had feared for
years had happened. Quintana had
found him-Quintana after all these
years. had discovered the identity
and dwelling place OF the obscure
American soldier who had robbed
him in the Mushroom OF Paris
cafe.s And QuintaDa was now in
America, here in this very wilder
ness, tracking the man who had de-
spoiled him.
Cllnch, in his shirt-sleeves, carry
ing a rife, came out on the log YER
anda and sat down to think it over.
lie began to realize that he was
likely to have trouble with a man as
cddsblooded and as logged as him
self;
:Sor did he doubt but those with
QaiRtena were desperate men.
On whom could he count? On no.
bods unless he paid their hire. None
among the lawless men who haunted
HIS backwaods "hotel' at Star Pond
ws,Ad lift a finger to help him. AL
most any among them would have
robbed him-murdered him. prob
abN-4if it were known that Jewels
were hidden in the house.
He, could not trust Jake Kloon;
Levsrett was as treacherous as only
Born coward can be; Sid Honey
Harvey Chase, Boomers. Byron
Hastnss-he knew them all too well
to trust them--a sullen, unscrupu-
lossspack, partly cowardly, always
fiefesAas are any creatures that live
furtlvely, feed only by their wits.
and, stink through life just outside
the frontiers Of law.
And yet. one of this gang had
stood by him-al Smith--the man
nv himself had been about TO slay.
E'unch got up from the bench
where he had been sitting and
wsJSed down TO the pond where Hal
Saith sat cleaning trout.
~15al." he said. II been figuring
some. Quintana don't dare call in
the constables I can't afford TO.
Qtintana and I've got TO settle this
on our own"
Smith slit open a ten-inch trout,
stripped It, flung the entrails outf
hto abe pond. soused the FISH in
water. and threw 1t into a milk pan.
'SWhose Jewels were they in the
bselnning?" he inquired carelessly.
s1iow do / know"
fIf YOU ever found out"
~ don't want to. I got them in |
HE war, anyway. And it don't make
no difference how got EN-; Ewes |
gorngto be a lady If go to the
chair for it. So that's that"
Smith slit another trout, Quilted
It. flung away the viscera but laid
back the roe.
shane to take them in October"
ne Remarked. hut people must eat"
''same's me-" nodded Clinch; Il
don't want TO kill no one, but Eve
she's gotta be lady and ride in her
VIA automobile with the proudest
f"Does Eve know about tn
jeFeis2r
Ciinch's pale eyes. which had beer
rok5ng over the wooded shores OF
Star Pond. reverted TO Smith.
sTd cut my throat before I'd tell
her" he eaid softly.
,'she wouldn't stand for til"
LHeh when you said TO me. Ewes
a 5aav, by God, you swsllered the
hlsIf-pie That's the answer. A lady
don't stand for what you and I don't
booher about"
nsuppose she learns that you rob
bed the man who robbed somebody
eiss Of these jewels"
Glinch's pale eyes were fixed on
hiHi: "oniy you and me know" he
said in his pleasant voice.
.,puintana knows. His gang
knows"
k,linch's smile was terrifying. Il
guess she amt never likely to know
nothing. Hal"
TWhat do you purpose 10 DO,
Mke?"
liEtin hunt"
',For Quintana2"
II might mistake him for a deer
Thin accidents Is likely. too"
Tiff Quintana catches you Il viii
go Hard with you. Nike"
asure. / know"
...J5e'I torture you TO make you
talk"
,.You think ia talk. Hal7"
Smith looked up into the light
colpred eyes. The pupils were pin
points. The he went on cleaning
hsA,
Mali"
.,what?"
uIf they get me-but no matter;
THY amt a-going 10 get me-"
fWcre you going to tell me where
thpse jewels arc hidden. Nike ?"
Inquired tho young man still busy
VIII his fish. He did not look
arssnd when no spoke. Clinch's |
m &dcroue gszo was fastened on the
back OF his head.
spont go ITO gsttin' TOO damn
money. Hal be said in his always
agt8eable voice.
An.th soused all tho fish In water
ag&n: You'd better tell somebody
Il s0ou go cunning for Quintana-"
spid ! ask your advice?"
dGou did not" said the young
nd smiling.
~