Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-10-19


put the works" on a starving boy.
ID ESPONDING to summons he
~ thought was from Devlin, Marty
found himself in the back room of
q downtown cafe. But the man who
rose from the table proved to be Silk
Conlin, whose occupation was to out
wit &he Pinkertons.
'Sit down." said Silk. Jake will
be here after while. We're havin'
a little dinner. What can I. order for
you?'
Marty shook his head. "Ridin'
light tomorrow he explained
Thanks just the same
The other smiled. We'll, excuse
me II l go right ahead. Hippo phoned
he'd be late, and I'm kinda hungry"
1T was>a wonderful dinner. Silk
Conlin had seen to that. He knew
that the boy had not eaten in "a
hours, had not permitted himself a
square meal in months. Wherefore
he passed the steaming dishes under
Martyrs nose. commented on their ex-
cellence and smacked his lips over
each mouthful. The torture told.
Suddenly the boy half rose. clutch
ing at the tablecloth whats the
idea?" he croaked. where's Devlin ~
Conlin got up, locked the door and
returned to the table. Don't get ex-
cited he cautioned. Jake amt
comm. He's in a poker game up
town. This is just between you and
me. Now. listen, my boy; I've got a
bunch that you're too weak for a
The devil l am"
We'll" said Silk. IT may he wrong,
Of course--in which case you'll win
thousand bucks and some glory that
don't mean nothin. But If Devlin
has compelled you to ride so low
that you haven't got the strength to
win, whose fault is it? My boy. your
alibi is perfect: And now look here"
Conlin reached under the table, pro-
duced bundle done up in an old
newspaper, opened it and counted out
80 packages of bills. In each was a
thousand dollars.
Mice little stake for fellow that
wants to get married" commented
Silk, for a jock that's about through
ridin'"
The boy dropped back in his chair
eyes closed and his head moving back
and forth in a pleading negative.
Lay on" he muttered. Lay off
me. 1 never pulled a horse in my
life, and i amt gonna begin now"
who's askin' you to pull a horse
=
wrong. I'm merely bettin' that you
amt strong enough to put it over in
4 nose-and-nose finish. If / should
happen to be right, you can quit the
turf, eat all you want and have $4,000
bucks with which to set yourself up
in nice business. Here's a chance
to ride for your own dough. What
could be fairer?"
He rewrapped the money, tucked
locked the door.
Better sit there a few minutes and
think it over, kid. No use US being
seen coming out OF here together. If
you're beaten tomorrow, I'll find a
way to get in touch with you, and
this dough is yours"
He nodded genially and left the
room. Into the boys mind came the
memory of what Danny Hogan had
said TO him years before.
Some day you may find out what
beat me. but for your own sake l
hope you DON'T
Poor little Hogan, He was ruled off
now, and his wife had left him.
Marty kreuger felt himself slip
ping. BY supreme effort he lurched
out of the room and made his way
into the clear night air of the street.
He had but one idea-kitty would
Understand. She would pull him
trough.
KITTY roomed with an old widow
~ in cottage near Belmont Park.
1t was 10 o'clock when the girl heard
some one hammering desperately on
the front door. She hurried to open
it. Marty collapsed in the hallway.
Babe" he painted, they put the
works on me. Thirty thousand. and
a chance to eat! Aw, honey, help me,
or I'm done for
Tho little waitress dropped to her
knees and put both arms around her
sweetheart. What's the dope, Marty ?
What did they do to you, honey"
He told the story between gasps.
Babe, 1 can't make weight no more.
1 gotta eat. Silks right, Thirty
thousand cash and perfectly safe.
Nobodyll suspect. They'll
blame Hippo"
Hush" pleaded the girl. Your
stomach's talkin' now, and not your
head! You're going to stay here to-
night, dear. Whisky and raw egg is
what you need. You wait here and
I'll run down to the corner. l know
the bird who runs the drug store
She was gone only a few minutes,
but in her absence the little money
rider lost all control of himself She
found him in the kitchen with his
teeth sunk in a leg of lamb that he
Nod I'D b.,