Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1923-01-20

sue WAS not tne innocent victim ne
had supposed Her words and move
ments expressed disappointment, rath-
er than regret. She was angry at his
choice. ready to withdraw from him
all sympathy, all assistance Her plea
had failed and the woman had be-
come a tlgress. Then she must have
been endeavOring TO deceive him; as
deeply interested as these others-in
getting him safely off the trail of this
crime. 1t was a hard lesson, one that
instantly turned all his theories up
side down, but the truth came to him
with binding, sickening force-she
was as guilty as Hobart: they were
both working to the same end, en-
deavoring TO get him safely out of the
way. They would accomplish this
with lies if possible, If not then with
force. 1t was for no other purpose he
had been granted this interview alone
in the hope that he might thus be
deceived by her. Now he saw through
the trick.
These thoughts swept Vests brain
in a sudden flash of revelation, but he
had no chance to act, to denounce
her, to make a single movement he
fore the door opened swiftly, and Ho-
bart slipped eagerly into the room.
The first glance the fellow had of the
prisoner, standing erect and unbound,
must have deceived him into believing
the girl had succeeded in her quest.
$50 you've set him free" he ex-
claimed 1.-THE fellow has come to his
senses, has he?"
"No, he has not" she snapped with
temper darkening her eyes. Il was
not afraid of him, so let him loose,
but he's made me no promise. Now IT
is up to you; I'm done"
She slipped out through the open
ing, and Hobart leaned against the
door. pushing it shut behind her, his
scowllng eyes watching West in
tently.
so. that IS how 1t stands, is It, my
mang' he growled threateningly. ''You
even refuse to accept the word of the
lady, do you?"
Those are very nearly the facts"
West replied steadily. "Then I told
her I thought she must be mistaken;
now I believe she was sent here for
no other purpose but to deceive me.
If / ever had any doubt of a crime,
it has vanished since this interview"
"What crime"
Murder; the killing Of Percival
Coolidge. Is that plain enough Ho-
bart? l want you to understand.
am fighting this case from now on In
the open; it is going to be man to
man"
"lyhat the HI do you mean, you
cur?"
"I'll tell you" went on West coldly.
determined now to so anger the fellow
as to bring the whole matter to a
climax. reckless of the consequences.
Il charge you with murder l haven't
the proof, but I'll get 1t: I do not
know the object, but I'll find out"
"You fool You'll never get away
from here"
81 am a soldier, and am taking
soldiers chance. Now listen. I feel
no particular interest in the death Of
Percival Coolidge. In my judgment
the world is just as well off with him
dead as alive But what this means
to Natalie Coolidge is another matter
entirely"
"She told you"
Eyes. she told me-a lie Thal is
what hurts; what makes me ready to
take any chance TO put You where You
belong. You have lied to her, deceived
her, made her your accompllce IL
crsme. I'm fighting for a woman, be-
cause she has got no one else to fight
for her"
"Oh, I see; in love, hey-wlth her,
or her money!
with neither, so far MS I know"
frankly "She is woman helpless in
your hands; that is sufficient"
But, hi she hasn't any use for
you-dldnt she tell you SOP
quite plainly-yes But that is no
excuse for any man 20 play the
coward. ! am not afraid Of you. Ho-
NGELs OF your gins hA @RA tA4E bs--
fore by treachery; I was not looking
for trouble. But now ] am. am go
Ing through that door and If You try
to stop me you are going to get hurt"
The fellow grinned one hand thrust
into the outer pocket Of his coat, his
eyes narrowed into ugly Sits.
You think SO You haven't
weapon on you. West, and If you take
r step. I'll put you or Of commission.
I know how TO handle your kind, You
big buffer. What I want 10 know IS
what YOU have got IN your head. for
believe re, don't take any stock in
this woman stuff. Are vou after
slice az Old Coolldge's Doodle? There's
enough Of # for an hands 70 have a
din. How does that hit your
sounds interesting at least" ad-
mitted West so earnestly rs 10 at
tract the Others attention. "But lets
talk If over among selvea-who IS
IsetnIng -herez"
Hobart glanced behind ar 7ebe nearly
closed door II WIS for only p second