The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-08
THE OPEN WIRE
By LEWIS NEBEL

By LEWIS NEBEL
 The library of Judge Bloodgood suggested its wealth in silent, almost sombre, tones. There was nothing tstentationus about it. The built in cases on either side of the grates were stocked with uniformly ar ranged volumes; on one side books of statistics. and law, on the other literary achievements of the ages, selected with the infinite discretion of logician and thinker The panel ed walls harmonized tastefully with the walnut furniture and the leather upholstery, even blending with soft, unfigured rugs.
 All this austere richness was sym belle of the judges nature. Sitting at the massive Jacobean table, which was heaped with law books, he seemed part of the chamber. Large and leathery of visage, broad shouldered, stern of mien, square, jawed.
 Presently, after looking over a dozen volumes, he laid a broad finger on the one before him and proceeded to make brief notes on a memoran- dunn tablet.
 So engrossed in his task was he that he did not notice a man who stood in the doorway.
 The stranger was a lean, rangy fellow, whose nondescript clothes fitted crazily over his bony frame. There was an odd pallor in his hawk-like face that fitted in with his sunken, bleary eyes and loose Tipped, crooked mouth. For a mo- ment he stood there, then came for ward, leveling a revolver, to which was attached a silencer. at the judge.
 "Evenin', jedge," he announced casually.
 Judge Bloodgood lifted his eyes his chair slowly, stroked his chin reminiscently.
 Seems to me that I've seen you before" he remarked finally.
 Sure yuh has?" A mirthless chuckle cackled in the fellow s throat "T'ink hard, jedge."
 The judges eyes narrowed, and he studied the misshapen physiogn omy more intently. Finally his mouth screwed down at the corners.
 i've seen you, but where and when I cannot say"
 "'Member the Baumberg robbery on Park Row 'leven years ago?"
 "Baumb -Baumberg-yes, now place you! You're Kline. I sent you up for ten years. You were with the gang that footed Baumberg's s clothing store and killed the watch man. Right?"
 Kline tilted his emaciated face pugnaciously.
 "Yeh; Kline-dat's me. Jest 'cuz I was around de stick up yuh gives me ten years-me, wi me foist of fense."
 Judge Bloodgood's jaw shot for ward. His rejoinder came through clenched teeth and vibrated through the chamber.
 Yes, I gave you ten years-the limit. I wish I could have given you twenty. You were one of the crowd. lookout. You pleaded not guilty You were yellow, and you're yellow now Shoot. damn you, but you'll pay for it! You'll get the chair"
 Shut yer trap! I'll get de chair, hey? Nc, not me. bud. Dey let me out year ago an I kep' clear O Moo Yawk till t'night."
 He sat down opposite the judge. He was a nervous wreck of man. His breathing was uneven, a flush of crimson was on his pallid face, his eyes were feverish. Resting his
  revolver across a book in a direct line with judges heart. He took a cigar from the humidor and threw one to the judge.
 Tn a sport, jedge. I'm gonna smoke yer last smoke wi yuh. Light her up!"
 The judge took the cigar, bit off the end of it, and, evidently in search of a match. shifted several volumes. Kline, keenly alert, thought he saw the judge reach toward the tele- phone. which was almost buried in mass of books.
 "Keep yer, mitts away from de phone! Keep 'em where l kin see 'eml"
 The judge. locating the matches, calmly lit one and applied it to his clear. .
 wv Mani,as usually last about ha T hour" he remarked. "Ac- co4,. v. then. am to live but thirty minutes. am to die in thirty ninutssI" The last sentence was spoken loudly. each word enun- ciated clearly and emphasized
 "Yeh, about dat. Gittin' scarit? Huh. guess ye're chicken-hearted. yuh pup. I'm gonna sec dc likes O yuh on yer kneez. bsggin' fo' life. I'm gonna spit in yer face. coise yuh t hell: An' den I'm gonna blow yer brains out"
 If these diaboaieaI words reeking with venomous jest. affected the jud se. he did not show 1t. The same ste"n mien was evident, his hand hell the cigar firmly. his snio king Wa deliberate.
 lie was famed as severe arm of ths law. exacting all the power his station permitted. He was a fighter, iAysically as well as mentally; and hard fighters die hard. One might even call him a wort, y apostle of Geno.
 Kline babb1ed on. He chewSd his cigar until tho end V .s frayed, and pat the particles tha came off at the judge. Twenty minutes passed. The cigars were burning low. The judge s lips compressed a trifle and his teeth E5ittsd. Not many a man aan