St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1922-05-20

| "A - ieaA ulsTeSS. Inere was only
one way to find out unless he went to
the police. That way was to 90
through with the adventure. He de-
clded to play lonea hand except for
such help as Johnnie could give him,
Clay took downtown car and rode
70 the cross-street mentioned in the let
Ter for preliminary tour of inyesti-
gatlon. The street designated was
one OF plain brownstone fronts with
lron-grilled doors. The blank faces
of the houses invited no confidence
# struck him that there was some
tmng sinister about the neighborhood.
Out perhaps the thought was born Of
the rear. Number l21 had windows
barred with ornamental grilles. This
might be to keep burglars out. It
would serve equally well to keep pris-
| Oners in.
Inc cattleman did not lingar in that
street lined with houses Of sinister
races. He did not care to call atten-
t1on to his presence by staying too
long. Besides, he had some arrange.
ments to make for the night at his
rooms.
Ihese were simple and few. He
oiled and loaded his revolver careful
~, leaving the hammer on the one
chamber left empty to prevent acct
dents, after the custom of all careful
gunner. He changed into the wrinkled
suit ne had worn when he reached
the city, and substituted for his shoes
pair Of felt-soled gymnasium ones,
The bowlegged little puncher
watched his friend, just as faithful
dog does his master He asked no
questions. In good time he knew he
would be told all it was necessary for
him to know.
AS they rode from the Bronx Clay
outlined the situation and told his
plans so far as he had any.
80 I'm goin' to take whirl at it.
johnnie. Mebbe they're lyin' low up
IN that house to get me- Mabbe the
notes the real thing. You can scared.
ME which 1t u.s. The only way to find
out Is to 60 through with tile thing,
Iore Job is to stick around in frol.t
OF the hacienda and wait for me. Il
! don't show up inside Of thirty min
utes, get the police busy right away
hreakin' into the place. Do YOU get
me, Jollnnie?'
"Lenme go with you into tic house
Clay" the littIe~mun pleaded.
"Nothin' dom, old~timer. This Is
my Job, and don't reckon I'll let amy
body else tackle it. Much obliged,
just the same. You're one sure
enough white man, Johnnie"
The little fellow knew that the mat
ter was settled Clay had decided and
what he said was final. But John
ME worried about it all the way. At
the last moment, when they separated
at the street corner, he added one last
word.
Don't you be too venturesome, son.
II them guys got you it sure would
break me all up"
Clay smiled cheerfully They're
not goin' to get me, Johnnie Don't
forget to remember not to forget yore
part. Keep under cover for thirty min
utes; then If I haven't shown up,
hOller yore head off for the COPS"
They were passing an alley as Clay
finished speaking. He slipped into it's
friendly darkness and was presently
lost to sight. It ran into an inner
court which was the center Of tortu-
Gus passages. The cattleman stopped
to get his bearings, selected the Hkeli-
est exit, and brought up In the shell
ter of a small porch. This, he felt
sure must be the rear of the house
he wanted.
A strip of lattice work ran up the
side of the entrance. Very carefully,
testing every slat with his weight be-
fore trusting himself to 1t, he climbed
up and edged forward noiselessly upon
the roof On hands and knees he |
crawlcd to the window and tried to j
peer in.
The blind was down, but he could !
see that the room was dark. What
danger lurked behind the drawn blind |
he could not guess, but after a mo-
ment, to make sure that the revolver
beneath his belt was ready for In
slant use, he put his hand gently on
the sash.
His motions were soundless as the
fall Of snowtlakes. The window moved
slowly, almost imperceptibly, under the
pressure of his hands. Warily he lift
I'd one leg into the room. His head
followed, then the rest Of his body.
He waited, every nerve tensed.
There came to him sound that
rent cold fnger-tips playing a tattoo
1p and down his spine. It was the In
AXE of some ones cautious breathing.
His hand crept to the butt of the
'evolver. He crouched, poised for
either attack or retreat
A bath of light flooded the room and
Wallowed the darkness. Instantly
Clay's revolver leaped to the air.