Evening star., 1923-08-23

THE7:*OWL TAXI
BY Herbert Footner
eos-rssh. By H.
BY Herbert Footner
Copyright by George H. Der.a cona.uy

of the f,ivver outside. Greg said with
Il chuckle. Burglary made easy!"
Hickey shivered. Don't use such
rglysounding words" he begged:
They went on. Greg offered Hickey
cigar. I'VE have time on our hands
now" he, said. Light UP and let the
old girl trundle home at her ease
like a lady"
i The phantasmagoria of Houston
street was spread before hem again
! Here was Christmas shopping of the
humber sort. End TO end the push
carts extended along the curb. light
| playing an amazing variety Of wares,
from sets Of genuine imitation ermine
furs" down to apples pickled In
brine. The pavement was literally
packed, largely by reason Of the fat
shoppers, who took up the room of
three or four.
! Coming toward them they per-
! ceived a stir OF excitement in the
, throng. A big policeman was slowly
forcing his way through, presumably
they could not see. In the police
mans wake was struggling pro-
cession of those who were trying 20
, get a look. The quality OF excite
ment In their faces suggested that
| the affair was something out OF the
! common.
!, AS Greg and Hickey passed abreast
! OF the policeman the crowd opened
for a moment, and they had Il brief
| glimpse OF tho man he had In charge.
They saw the slight and sagging fig
ure of a young man with small fea-
| lures. His face was greenish: he
shambled along with eyes half closed
His hat was gone, and TO their sur
prise they saw that his clothes were
renched. They were near the river.
"A wouldbe suicide said Greg.
! Poor devil!"
An odd little grunt escaped from
Hickey. and he brought the cab TO
I a stop with a jerk.
whats up?" asked Greg.
That - that face stammered
Hickey.
What of it,"
i've been looking for il for three
days by your orders. That's the fell
! low with the little black mustache
! who hired me on the pier that night.
Greg was effectually galvanized into
action. Slipping out OF his seat he
right and walt for me in the side
street. I'll look after him. He doesn' I
know me-"
Greg ran down the roadway until
he got in advance OF the policeman n
| then, forcing his way through the
termined air. he fronted the officer
Beg pardon, officer. think
know this man. What's he done?'
Greg's good clothes and assured
air were not WllNOul ~ ! AZ
policeman was disposed TO be com
plaisant. Attempted suicide. Jump
ed of a Houston street ferry, he did
A deckhand pulled him out"
The crowd. delighted to receive eA-
act information as to the anair' walt ait
cd open-mouthed for more. The
prisoner glanced at Greg with indif-
ference. lack-luster eyes. lie said
| nothing. -
Hes soaking wet" said Greg
And at this time OF year
I'm keeping him walking. said
1.-THE biuecoat, "and the station Is but
a block away. Well give him blan-
kets there"
i Greg fell into step beside the po-
nceman. Poor devil. Are you OBJ
liged to lay charge against hfnT
They always do. Attempted sui
cide's a crime.
But nobody's ever sent to jail foI
IF 7 let him go he might try II
again
Let me take care OF him. III give
him a square meal and bed. lxt
got a cab around the corner. / l.
take him home in that.
4 Voices from the crowd said: AN
ie. hin, go. It's Christmas. He ain
harmed nobody but himself
The bluecoat was q bit nettied pS
the implication OF hard heartedness IS
'"Tain't nothiu' TO me. he saio
| "Come on to the station, and II the
loot'nant says all right, all right.
CONTINUED in Tonorrow's star