The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1922-12-28


running. That was business. You
sure did fine job then. d-n you; now
1 don't think II is your time to howl
Listen here. Will YOU? From all
learn, this bird amounts to, something:
/ he amt tusta dago to be bumped off.
end nobody care what's become of
him. This guy has got friends. II
won't help us any to he hunted after
for murder on top of this other Job.
III we cop the kaie, that's all we're
| Bfter. Is that right, Delr"
The girl seemed to come forward
and face them defiantly.
"Sure it's right. I never was for ths
strong-arm stuff, Hogan. This IL nv
%raft. anyhow, and not one of YOU
stills gets penny of it unless split
with you. This fellow isn't going To
be slugged-thats fiat. 1t Is only be-
cause he's fell In love with the Cool
'dge girl that he is here, and once
we've skipped out, I don't wish the
guy any bad luck"
"You ought to have caught him
yourself. Del" some one said "The
bird never would have known the diff.
scrence"
She laughed, quickly restored to
good humor.
you're about right there, Dave"
she answered. "That was another
mistake: the only chance | ever had
Of marrying in high social circles But
III, I'll he n lady tomorrow, so let's
let the poor devil so. Wrap him I'D,
! and lay him away out in the garage.
ne wills are two-foot solid stone;
hei stay huried tltcre nj, rigr<,"
HI gan gr"wled IN ,lerlsicn, yet It
was evident that she and Hobart
would have th"ir way. Some one
brought a rope, which was deftly
! wound about lin, West continuing to
| feign unconSciousn@ss. He secretly
hoped this condition might result in
| come carclCSSn"SS IN their part. in
either speech or action. Anyway II
would undoubtedly save him from
further brutal treatment lie had no
| reason to suspect that his ruSe was
questioned. The fellows spoke freely
| Willie making him secure, but he
| gained very little Information from
| their convCrsatinn--not n hint as to
| where Natalie was cortfincd or how
| ION" IT was proposed 10 hold them
] prisoners. Then Red" and Dave
luggcd his limp body through several
rooms, out upon II back porch. finally
| dragging him down the steps and
along cement driveway, letting him
lie there moment in the dark, while
one Of them unlocked the door. The
| next instant he was cnrclcSSly thrown
| inside, and the door forced back into
place. He could hear Hogan swear
outside and then the sound of both
mems feet on the dive as they de-
parted.
! With a struggle West managed to
sit up, but could scarcely attempt
more, as his arms were bound closely
| TO his sides. The darkness about him
was intense, and, with the disappear
| ance of the two men up the steps, all
outside sounds. had ceased. He knew
he had been flung inro the garage and
was resting there on the hard cement
floor. He could neither feel nor see
any machine, nor was there probably
the slightest prospect of his getting
out unaided.
What was that? He listened, for
an instant doubtful If he had really
! heard anything. Then he actually
heard n sound. He doubted no longer,
| YET madc no effort TO move, even
holding his breath IN suspense. There
was movement Of some kind back
! therc-a cautious movement seem
in%ly the slow advance of something
across the floor, a dog perhaps. Vests
heart thrObbed with apprehension +;
suppose 1t was dog, he had no
means of protection from the brute.
Cold sweat tingled on his flesh there
was nothing he could do, no place
where he could go. The thing was
moving nearer; yet surely 1t could not
be a dog: no dog would ever creep
like that. lie could bear the strain
no longer; it was beyond endurance.
whats moving back thereT he
asked in n hOarse whisper.
There was Il moment Of utter ST.
ience; then, mans voice said in low.
cautious tone.
THE fellow amt dead, Mac; any
how he seems able to talk yet"
| All rlGht, well hnd ont what he's
got to sny-gO on along"
West sat up. his heart bounding
with sudden remembrance
"My Cd! McAdams, is that your
You have the name-.who's speak
Ing?
Matt West. Good Cd hut this Is
like miracle. I'd played my last card
Come here, one OF you, ana cut tnese
strings. / cannot even move, or stand
up. Is II really You, Mac? Yes, yes
am all right: they bruised me up a
hit Of course, but that is nothing Now
| have chance to pay them out. But
who are with you? and kew did you
come to be here?"
McAdams ran his knife blade
through the lashings. feeling for them
In the dark. Neither could see the
other, but West realized that another
man had crept up on the opposite side
nf him, and crouched there silently in
.I 1,G