The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-04-20

there wasn't anything said about the slather's of gems that was the re- ward of heroism from a grateful na- bob, and we didn't get any help that way. All we knew was that Deemer came East with the jewels, presum- ably to cash in on them, and 1t looked as though Deemer were pretty clever; that he wore the money-belt for a stall, and that he had the spark lers safe somewhere else all the time. And guess we all got to figuring it that way, because the fact that notn- ing was said about any theft was strictly along the lines the police were working anyway, and it was toss up that they hadn't found the stuff among his effects. Get me?'
 Get him! This wasn't real, was it, this room here; those two figures sitting there under that shaded lamp? Something cold, an icy grip, seemed to seize her at her heart, as in a surge there swept upon her the full ap- preciation of her peril through these condolences to which she was listen ing. A word, an act, some slightest thing, might so easily betray her; and then Her fingers under the shawl and inside the wide pocket of her greasy skirt clutched at her revolver. Thank God for that! It would at least be merciful! She nodded her head mechanically.
 ''But the police didn't find the jew elS-because they weren't there to be found. Somebody got in ahead of us. Pinched 'em, understand, maybe only a few hours before you got in your last play, and, from the way you say Deemer acted, before he was wise to the fact that he'd been rob- bed"
 1nf he 11a sharply down to the floor. She must play her role of 'tBertha'' now as she never had before. Here was aques- ton that she could not only ask with safety, but one that was obvi- ously expected.
 "who was it?" she demanded breathlessly.
 She's coming to life!" murmured Danglar, through a haze of cigarette smoke. "I thought you'd wake up after a while, Bertha. This Is the big night, old girl, as you'll find out before we're through
 "who was it ?" she repeated with well-simulated impatience.
 'T guess she'll listen to me now" said Danglar with a little chuckIe. Matty. I'll tell you, Bertha; and it will perhaps make you feel better to know it took the slickest dip New York ever knew to beat you to the tape. It was Angel Jack, alias the Gimp"
 "How do you know?" Rhoda Gray dernc nded.
 Because" said Dang1ar, and light ed another cigarette, ''he died yester- day afternoon up in Sing Sing.''
 She could afford to show her frank bew1iderment. Her brows knitted into furrows, as She stared at Dang lar.
 ''You-you mean he confessed?" she said. laughed grimly, and shook his head ton of playing one fence against another You know that Witzer, who's handled all our jewelry for us, has been on the lookout for any stones that might have come from that collection Well, this afternoon he passed the word to me that he'd been offered the finest unset emerald he'd ever seen. and that 1t had come to him through old Jake Luertz's runner, a very innocent-faved young man who is known to the trade as the Crab"
 Darglar paused and laughed again. Unconsciously Rhoda Gray drew her shawl a little closer about her shoulders. It seemed to bring chill into the room. that laugh. Once before on another night Danglar had laughed, and, with his parted lips, she had likened him to a beast show ing it's fangs. He looked it now more tha9 ever. For all his ease of voice and manner, he was in deadly earnest and if there was merriment in his laugh, it but seemed to enhance the menace and the promise of unholy purpose that lurked in the cold gilt ter of his small, black eyes.
 Ut didn't take long to get hold of the Crab"-Danglar was rubbing his hands together softly-'and the emer- aid with him. We got him where we could put the screws on without arousing the neighborhood.''
 Another murder, I suppose!" Rhoda Gray flung out the words grossly.
 "Oh. no" said Danglar pleasantly. "He squealed before it came to that He's none the worse for wear, and he'll be turned loose in another hour Or so, ss soon as we're through at old Jake Luertz's. He's no more good to us. He came across all right-after he was properly fright ened. He's been with old Jake as a sort of familiar for the last six years, and
 He'd have sold his soul out, he was so scaredi" The withered hand on the table twitched; the deform- ed cre;-t ture's face was twisted into a grfmace; and the man was chuckhns with unhallowed mirth. as though un- able to contain himself at, presum- ably, the recollection of a scene which he had witnessed himself. He was down on his knees and clawing out with his hands for mercy, and he squealed like a rat. Its the sixth panel in the bederoom upstairs he says; its all there. But for Gods sake don't teIrA Jake I told. It's the sixth panel. Press the knot in the sixth panel that He stopped abruptly.
 Danglar had pulled out his watch and with exaggerated patience was circling the crystal with his thumb.
 Are you all through. Matty2'' he inquired nlonotonously 'I think you