San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-08-12

IL -NTs CtlhlEA pEcltEEcu ScllicucuL VI
their affair in that private place, Paul
was willing; and when Mr.. Selkirk
politely waited and motioned Paul to
precede him into the empty room, Paul
did so and in the next second sank I'M
conscious to the floor.
He realized, when he was coming to
himself that Mr.. Selkirk must have
struck him from behind-probably
with a black jack; he had crumpled
down within the office, and Mr.. Sci.
kirk had entered and shut the door.
Mr.. Selkirk was standing over him
now, but was completely absorbed in
the contents of that large, well-filled
white envelope, addressed in feminine
hand.
Paul looked around and made sure
that Shell and he were alone and, care
full to give no warning, he jerked up
and grabbed Mr.. Selkork's legs, throw
ing Mr.. Selksrk very violently to the
floor. As he struck Paul let go OF
the legs and sprang UP, grabbing Sell
kinks shoulders and pounding him
again to the floor. When Shel fought
back and licked. Paul put all his
force insJ n swing Of his right fis: and
bit Mr.. SelkiIk on the point Of his
law. That proved enough for Shel,
who took his turn at lying quietly on
the floor. Paul carefully felt over Shell
and procured the brown packet and
the telegram and. ALSO, loaded auto
matte pistol. Then he gathered the
scattered contents of the white enve-
lope. They proved to be all Liberty
Bonds Of the fourth issue and each of
one.thousand dollar denomination.
Paul counted twenty-five while MIR.
selkirk watched him from the floor.
Twenty-Five was all?" Paul asked
him.
THAT'S right" Mr.. sclkirS con
w. q
firmed. -
Paul returned them to the white en-
yelope. He locked at the brown en-
yelope, addressed in ;ypcwritlng,
which Mr.. Selkirk had not even taken
the trouble to open Paul did not take
the trouble either, but put it. in his
pocket unopened. He was feeling
strangely sick.
"What does buy sheep and spot
cotton meant he questioned Mr.. Sci
kirk on the floor.
"Oh. it's just market ;ip,' replied
Mr.. Selkirk mildly.
"a tip. you mean. to get out quick;
or something like that Paul sus-
gested.
Mr.. Selkirk very calmly gazed Up
from the floor.
Paul advised "You better stay right
where YOU are for a while
Paul backed away from him, opened
the door. backed through it quickly
and left the building. He entered q
dry-goods store a few doors down.
went through and departed by another
exit. He ought to return to that door
way n block the other side OF the
Touraine where he had an appoint
ment with Priscilla. but he toQnd
himself obliged first to clear hpi o
recollection of a bond robbery IN
Chicago about which he had read III
the mornings paper.
On a corner was stand with out
of-town newspapers, and he bought a
Chicago paper and located the ac-
count which printed the list OF tue
serial numbers of the stolen bonus,
all Liberty isues Of the fourth loan
He cut out the list and, entering 0
telephone booth which had an Opaque
door and an electric light, he inspect
ed the numbers on the bonds in his
envelope; every one Of them mad beef
stolen.
We'll. little one he gibed himself
as he returned the package to his
pocket. 'she told you in plain Enslisl
that she was hiring you to hop he
here to pull something raw; and yoV
had to make her your little fair!
princess and press yourself into hei
| service"
He was walking at random when
defensive instinct warned him tina
someone was threatening him.
This was a businesslike, lert, un
ostcntatious individual. 'Thats
police headquarters operative" Eau
said to himself. "The police got tn
tip little late. They got to the hote
after Shell and / both called, and the!
got my description from the clerk. U
course I'm Shelby Selkirk to them
He could give himself up, surrey
dering the bonds, and tell how 1t al
happened: but he had offered 10 Pris
ella to get her package for her, b
had taken that upon himself agains
her protest. He stepped to the middl
of the street where an empty tax
happened to be waiting for the east
west traffic to be f:esd; and. MS th
signal was given, he jumped into tn