The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-06-15

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its. He might have to leave in hur-
~. If so, he wanted to know where
he was going. The plan of the Sec
ond story was another point he feat
ured as he passed swiftly from room
to room. From the laundry in the
basement he had brought up coil
Of clothes-line. With this he tied Joe
hand and foot. After gagging him,
he left the man locked in small
rear room and took the key with him.
Clay knew that he was in precari-
GUS situation. If Durand returned
with Kitty and captured him here he
was lost. The man WOULD nnke no
more mistakes. Certainly he would
leave no evidence against him except
that of his own tools. The intruder
would probably not be kil!ed openly.
He would either simply disappear or
he would be murdered with witnesses
framed to show self-defense. The
cattleman was as much outside the
law as the criminals were. He had
no legal business in this house. But
one thing was fixed in his mind. He
would be no inactive victim. If they
got him at all it would be only after
a fighting finish.
TO Clay, standing at the head of
the stairs came sound that stiffened
him to tense wariness. A key was
being turned in the lock Of the street
door below. He moved back into the
deeper shadows as the door swung
open.
Two men entered. One of them
cursed softly as he stumbled against
chair in the dark hall.
where's that rat Joe?" he demand
ed in subdued voice.
Then came a click Of the lock. The
sound Of the street rain ceased. Clay
knew that the door had been closed
and that he was shut in with two
desperate criminals.
What have they done with Kitty?
Why was she not with them? He
asked himself that question even as
he slipped back into a room that
! opened to the left.
He CROPPED his way through the dark
ness. for lie dared not flash his light
to guide him. His fingers found the
edge Of desk. Round that he cir
cled toward closet he remembered
having noted. His arm brushed the
closet door. Next moment lie was in
side and had closed 1t softly behind
him.
And none too soon. For into the
room came the gunner almost on his
heels.
"Jerry'll raise Ill.," heavy voice
was saying as they entered the room.
"And that amt all. Wen land in stir
II we don't look out. We just ducked
a bad fall. The bulls pretty near had
us that time we poked our nose out
from the park at Seventy-second
street."
Some one pressed button and the
room leaped to light. Through the
open crack Of the closed door Clay
recognized Gorilla Dave. The second
Of the gunner was out Of range Of his
vision.
From the sound of creaking furni-
ture Clay judged that the unseen man
had sat down heavily. 1T was that
blowout queered us. And say-how
came the bulls so hot on our trail?
Who raped to 'eml?"
"NIust "a been that boob wit the
goil. He got busy quick. Well, Jerry,
won't have to salve the cops this
time. We made our getaway all right"
said Dave.
"Say, where's Joey?"
"Pulled sneak likely. What's it
matter? Listen! What's that?"
Some ono was coming up@ the stairs.
The men in the room moved cautious
~ to the door. The hall light was
switched on.
"Lo, Jerry" Gorilla Dave called soft
~.
He closed the room door and the
sound Of the voices was shut off in
stantly.
The unlimited guest dared not step
out Of the closet to listen, for ut any
instant the men might re-enter. He
crouched in his hiding place, the thir-
ty-eight in his hand
- Nv A'A'ASNSS NiNSSCu \AuICA iuliuUlSs
More than once Clay almost made up
his .tlnind to steal out toylearn what
the men were doing. Bpt hiss judy
ment told him he must avoid d brush
with SO many If possible.zs=t. 49,
The door opened again.
"Now beat it, and do as + (say If you
know what's good fors you. ia bullying
voice was ordering.
The owner Of the voice came in and
slammed the door behind rhm. He sat
down at the desk, his hack to the
closet. Through the chf,llk Clay saw
that the man was Jerry Dyrand.
From his vest pocket he took a fat
black cigar, struck Il mat ch and lit
1t. He slumped down in the swivel
chair. 1t took no seer to divine that
his mind was busy working out prob
lem. ,,.,...
Clay stepped softly from his place
Of refuge, but not so moi; sa lessly that
the ganglnan did not Diet ecas his pres
ence.. Jerry swung round ID the chair