The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-12-31
CONTINUED from Last Week.)
Copyright 1923. by George " porsn Co.
(CHAPTER Xlll) Continued.

X uumoved He studied tho
~ gangster coldly.
"And how does Il happen that
you and Birdie, out OF all the rest,
are picked for this2"
Rcd WALTON INDUCED IN an ugly
grin.
"'Cause we know the Mole
down TO the ground" he said but
principally because tho Mole knows
usl There won't be any foolinE
when We spring a showdown. he's
wise to that, aud he'll come across.
And, besides, 'taint only Birdie
and me; I'm taking Rome OF ray
own gang along as Well"
Billy Kane scowled II probably
mattered very little indeed that
Red Vallons efforts we're to bo
sidetrackod for tho next few
hours, and ahould he, Billy Kane,
during that time, be successful, IL
mattored not at all; but his play
for the moment was 10 preserve
his role In Red Valiou'a eyes, to
keep away from anything intimate
concerning the purport Of this ci.
pher message that still lay be-
meath his clepched hand, and that
might so easily betray his ignor.
Rnce, and above all now to get rid
OF Red WALTON before any such
awkward and dangerous impasBa
could arise. He shrugged his
shoulders. but HIS voice was Btill
Bullen as he spoke.
Well go 10 ~" he growled 100
and pick up your chicken feedl
But you get this into your nut, Red,
and let II soak there After this"
he leaned far over the table, his
face thrust almost into Red Val
lon's-'you stay with the game
every minute. or quit! It's tho
limit, or quit There's Just one
thing that counts--those rubies, or
the man who plnched them. II we
get the man, he'll cough-red--the
stones OF blood DO you think I'm
Going to let anything queer me on
my share OF half a million? You
don't seem to get what mean when
| say the limit. Look out don't
give you an object lessonl"
ANtu ailpu lAthtu ms lipes hul
drew back a little. There was some
thing in Red vallon's eyes that was
not often there--fear,
TITS all right Bundy," he said
with nervous eagerness. "Im with
you. Sure, | ami This thing must
have broke loose quick, and there
wasn't no idea OF Grabbing anything
you'd started got ten OF the best
Of 'em comblng out the fences for
you right now"
CAN right" responded Billy Kane
Stuffiy MAKE n report TO me on
that before morning"
"Wherepl you be?" Rcd Vallon
was apparently relieved. for his
voice had recovered It's buoyancy
AT my place--some time" said
Billy Kane curtly. "You can wait
for ME there" He smiled suddenly
with grim facetiousness. my
shoulders q lot better-enough so
that maybe [ can sit in for hand
myself tonight"
81 hope you do" said Red Val
lon fervently. you always had the
knockout punch, Bundy, aud it'll
seem like old times" He half rose
from his chair: then, looking fur
lively about him, bent forward over
the table. There's something else.
Bundy, before / go-----that snitch
last night at Jerry's, the man in
The mask. He's played hell with tho
crowd. There's 10 telling whfitHi
tumble down behind Karlin, And
IT don't look like he's Just stumbled
on that deal by accident. II don't
look good, Bundy. We got teget
i'm, and get him quick, before hs
pulls anything more. The words
out to bump him off"
Billy Kane nodded,
"Well. don't lose your nerve over
Il. Red" he said coolly, "If Il was
by accident, he won't do us any
more damage. and we've only got
10 settle with him for what he's
done, providing we can ever find
him; II It wasn't accident he'll show
his hand aRsin--won't hep
Eyes" said Red Vallon.
Billy Kane's smile was unpleasant.
"Well, youll know what to do
with him then, won't you?" he In
aulred softly,
The eaugster's red-rimmed eyes
narrowed to slits.
ayes, I'll know" said Red Val
Ion coarsely. He made an ugly mo-
ton toward his throat. well. 80
long, Bundy!'
Billy Kane nodded again by way
OF answer He watched Red Vallon
thread his way back among the
tables. and pass out through the
front door With the gangster out
OF tho way he picked up the sheet
Of paper upon which the code mes
sage was written, studied It for a
moment. then thrust it into his
rocket--and his glance Travelled to
the table opposite to him and
against the wall. where that slim
little figure IN black was seated.
She appeared 20 be quite indiffer-
ent 90 Ais presence. and quite in.
tent upon the consumption OF glass
0f milk and the sandwich on th9
plate before her.
Billy Kane smiled with grim com.
.rehenslon. The fruEality of the
meal was not without it's object.
Il was fairly obvious that she could
Of what was before her in
short order, and leave the place at
an instauts notice without inviting
undesirable attention IN an uufin-