The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1923-02-15
The Big Town Round Up
BY WILLIAM MACLEOD RAnE
By WILLIAM MACLEOD RAINE



/ u river. The storm had driven most
people indoors, but as the westerner
drew near the drug store Clay saw
with relief taxicab draw up outside.
Its driver. crouched In his. seat behind
the waterproof apron as far back as
possible from the rain, promptly &C
cepted Lindsay as fare.
Back In a minute" Clay told him,
and passed into the drug store.
The abduction was still being dis
cussed. He pushed home questions as
to Identification. One Of the men In
the drug store had caught a fash Of
the cur number. He was sure the first
four figures were 1907. The fifth he
did not remember. The car was dark
blue and 1t looked like taxi. This In
formation Clay got the owner Of the
store to forward to the police.
He did not walt to give II personal
ly. but Joined Johnnie In the cab. The
address he gave to the driver with the
waterproof hat pulled down over his
head was that OF certain place of
amusement known as Heath's Palace
Of Wonders. A woman he wanted to
consult was wont to sit behind a win
dow there Mt the receipt of customs.
Miss Annie MillIkan's pert smile
beamed through the window at Clay
when he stepped up.
Hello, Mr.. Flat-Worker," she sang
out. How manyT
Clay explained that his business was
serious. 1--WE got to see you alone
now" he added.
IF you gotta you GOTTA" The girl
called an usher. who found second
usher to take her place.
Annie walked down the street a few
steps beside Clay.
"What's the big idea In calm me
from me Job In the rush hoursT she
asked.
Clay told his story.
"Some of Jerry's strong-arm work."
she commented.
Must be. Can you help mel"
Annie looked straight at him, a hu-
morous little qulrk to her mouth.
Say, what're you askIn' me to do
| TOW uoWn my stehuyF
Annie was pretty. and inevitably she
had lovers. One of these was "Slim"
Jim Collins. confidential follower of
Jerry Durand. He was crook, and
she knew IT, But some quality in him
his good looks, perhaps. or his game
ness-fnscinated her In spite of her
SELF She avoided him, even while she
found herself pleased to 60 to Coney
with an escort so well dressed and so
glibly confident. Another of her ad.
mirers was policeman, Tim Muldoon
by name, the same one that had res
cued Clay from the savagery Of Du-
rand outside the Sea Siren. Tim she
liked. But for all his Irish ardor he
was wary. He had never asked her
to marry him. She thought she knew
the reason. He did not want for wife
a woman who had been "Slim" Jim's
girl.
Clay had come to Annie Milllkan
now because of what she had told him
about "Slim" Jim. This man was one
Of Durand's stand-bys. II there was
any underground work to be done Il
was odds-on chance that he would be
in charge of 1t.
I'm askin' you to stand by a poor
girl that's In trouble" he said In an
swer to her question. "You wouldn't
let Durand spoil her life II you could
stop It,"
"Well, what's my cue7 Where do
come in on this rescue-the- beautiful
heroine act?"
"When did you see Slim Jim last p
II might "a seen him this afternoon
an ! might not" she said cautiously.
looking at him from under broad
hat-brim. "Say, what's the layout ?
Are you framin' Jim for up the riverT'
I'm tryin' to save Kitty" -.
Because she's your goil. Where do
come In at? What's there In It for