New Britain herald., 1924-12-22
NOW 60 ON WITH THE STORY

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 Yet he said calmly enough; "Hel- To. Joe"
 "Howdy," nodded the other. Kind of far south for you. Lee, ain't it?"
 "A little far south, answered Ice, while the other drew back a chair with his left hand and sat down slowly, gingerly, never taking his eyes from Lee. He was one of those long legged, long armed men whose weight is condensed almost entirely around hercuean shoulders. Yes went on Lee as calmly ss before, I'm a little farther south than usual. I'm on trail. Maybe you could give me few pointers, Joe"
 Joe grjnned. and there was no mirth in his smile.
 sure" he said dryly. "Ain't 1t nacheral for me 10 do anything for you that I could 9"
 Here Mary came to get the order of the newcomer. He snapped a re- quest for ham and eggs at her with out moving his eyes from Lee.
 I'm looking for woman." said Lee, continuing as soon as the girl had left the room.
 We all are" said Joe, grinning again.
 Her name" said Lee, lis Kate Cumberland. That is, it used 10 be. 1 She's the widow Of Dan Barry, and Dan Barry was a man I wrongcd. and hn was man who gave me my life when he had it like that - 10 take If he wanted it." Welt" said Joe with sinister meaning, gents like that come few and far between, eh?"
 "Thoy do," answered Lee. There arc some folks that hold a small srudEe to the end of time. I've met men Ike that" The meaning could not hc misInderstooa. And suddenly Joe turned white. His head lowered and thrust out 4 bit more than usual; he pushed back his chair somewhat from the table so as 10 give his knees clear ancc for Nuick action. And his right hand dropped patently close to his hip.
 You've met one Of them men in me, Hainos," he said, breathing hard, and get growing whitcr and winter as the passion mounted. I've been thinking and thinking ahout- you and me. And I'm tolerahle glad that we've met up. Tolerable glad"
 And, indeed. the battle lust shook him like Q leaf.
 Harry Gioster eyed them shrewd- ly. II" had been among fighting men all his life. They were d sort of language whichc he could read with q perfect fuency.
 But as he looked from one to the other Of these two he could not tell which was the more formidable. hrre was more nervous energy in Joe, but in the man who had just , hoen called Hatnes there was I calm res'r'o Of strength which might be employed in the crisis. He was older 10 h' sure, hut he was not yet old enough 10 be slow. There was one determining factor which GIostcr could see, but which Joe could not, The right hand of I3ainns had been kept scrupulousIv out of sight beneath the tabIe from the moment Joe, entered. It had ap- pFarrd to Harry al first this might be from fear lest inc othc7 should no'e his infrmity and take advan- .ago Of it to fly at his throat.
 But no" that the actual danger of battle had become almost uravoid- able, there might be another reason which induced Haines 70 conceal his wound -- and that was an indomi- table pride which Kept him from taking advantage Of a weakness 10 put off q danger. And, in fact. he was now meeting the last nufburs. CT Joe with a calm smile of scorp.
 Yet, certainly. he was helpless ne four fingers Of his right hand were bound together with one ban dage, He could not possibly use gun under such a handicap unless he were ambdeXtrous - and on his loft side he wore no gun.
 To reach across to his right bir you'd he impossible - opposit, him there was 8 man quivering with hate and with murder in his facc At the first suspicious move h, would strike and his stroke would be as devastating as a lightnint flash
 Wait 2 minute" cried c;lostcr Wait a minute, will you2 My frien, here has a bad hand-he can't-'
 You carry people along to bct off for you?" snecred Joe.
 I've never met this man before" " said Haines slowly. And I need no advice or help. When I fight a rat I fight alone"
 If came home 10 Harry Gloster with sickening surety. It was simply the suicide of A man tirrd