Evening star., 1923-11-22

at the time, was undoubtedly the
man who had brought the message"
few minutes ago, and who was
now, with almost equal certainty, en-
gagged in driving the car. Thieving. at
least, was in the .trio's line! They
must somehow or other have stolen
inc travelling pawn shop from Haw-
| kins!
He smiled grimly. If IT had been
Birdie now who had brought the mes
sage he would never have fallen into
the trap Crang had played In luck
ana won by very narrow margin. for
Crang was naturally in ignorance that
! ne John Bruce. had ever seen either
OF the men before. And then John
| Bruce thought of the bulky roll OF bills
l Whlch py an equally narrow margin
! was not in his pocket at that mo-
| ment. and his smile deepened
Crang spoke for the first time
| Take his gun away from him, IL
| he's got one" he snarled tersely.
| IL IN the breast pocket of nv
coat. said John Bruce imperturbably
Birdle, beside John Bruce, reached
| over and secured the weapon.
| John Bruce leaned back in his seat
| the car was speeding rapidly along
The minutes passed None of the
! lnree men spoke. Crang sat like
| some repulsive gargoyle. 1eering
! malicious1y
| John Bruce half closed his eyes
| against the uncanny fascination Of
| that round black muzzle which never
| wayered in its direction, and which
| wac causing him to strain too in
| tently upon il. What was the game? +?
How far did CrRng intend to go with
his Il. >ene jealousy? How far would
! Graz aare to go? The man wasn't
| d"ped tonight. Perhaps he was even
| the more dangerous on that account.
Instead of mouthing threats. there
| was something ominous now. 1t
seemed. in the mans silence. John
! cruces lipS drew together. He re-
membered Claires insistence that
Crang had meant what he said literal
| iiy-and Claire had repeated that warn
| ing over the telephone. Well If she
4 We're right, it meant-murder.
From under his half-closed lids.
!ohn Bruce looked around the car.
"he curtains. as they always were.
were closely drawn. The interior was
| lighted by that same soft central
| light, only the light was high up
now near the roof Of the car. Well.
| II II was to be murder. why not now
| The little velvet-topped table was not
in place, and there was nothing be-
! tween himself and that sneering, sal
| low face. Yes, why not now-and
| settle 1t,
He Strengthened almost impercepti-
| bly, in his seat. as impulse suddenly
! bade him fling himself forward upon
| Crang. Why not? The sound of
! revolver shot would be heard in the
street, and Crang might not even dare
| to fire at all. And then John Bruces
| glance rested on the man beside him
and impulse gave way to common
! sense. He had no intention of sub
| miting tamely and without a struggle
| to any fate. no matter what il might
he. that Crang proposed for him. but
| that struggle would better come when
| there was at least a chance. There
was no chance here. Birdie. on the
seat beside him. held a deadlier and
! even more effective weapon than was
! Crangs revolver, silent thing-a
| black jack.
! Wait, Don't play the fool, You'll
! get better chance than this the
voice of what he took to be common
| sense whispered to him
| The car began to go slower. 1t
| sweryed twice as though making
sharp turns; and then, running still
more slowly, began to bump over
| rough ground.
Crang spoke again.
You can make all the noise you
! want to. if you think it will do you
any good" he said viciously; but il
you make move you are not told
| the way, Understand?
John Bruce did not answer.
! The car stopped. Birdie opened the
| door on his side, and stepped to the
ground He was joined by the man
who had driven the car, and who. as
John Bruce now found he had cor
irectly assumed. had acted as the decoy
at the gambling house.
Get OUT" ordered Doctor Crang
curtly.
John Bruce followed Birdie from
the car 1t was dark out here. ex-
ceedingly dark. but he could make
out that the car had been driven into
a narrow lane. and that they were
close to the wall of building Of some
sort. The two men gripped him by
| his arms. He felt the muzzle Of
! Crangs revolver pressed into the
small of his back.
Mind your step" cautioned Birdie
gruffly.
1t was evidently the entrance to a
| cellar. John Bruce found himself de-
| scending a few short steps; and then,
on the level again. he was guided for
ward through what was now pitch
blackness. A moment more and they
| had halted, but not before John
| Bruce's foot had come into contact
with a wall or partition of some kind
! in front of him. One of the men
who gripped his arms knocked twice
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