Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1925-07-03

The thought Of Joyce was unbearable
Joyce, whom he had caught second
time, only to find himself enmeshed In
a web Of unforeseen things, fllmsy, and
yet like iron bars between them.
II he attacked Estelle she would
shrink from nothing. She carried a
pistol, too. He dared not stain his
hands with another murder. He was
afraid of her trust in him, which had
disarmed him; and, to be fair with
him, he shrank from such finale to
his association with her.
The face of Lee, upturned and white
and ghastly in the current, stared at
him from the walls. as Pelly's used
to do. Ho shook his fist at 1t. 1t
drove him out, to pace the promon-
tory; then he would return and hurl
himself into his chair savagely, and
drink again. And again he would
fling himself from the hut; and all the
while the conflict ragged in his soul.
He could hear his men muttering
about the fire. They were drunk, no
doubt. but they had never acted that
way in drunkenness before. Something
was brewing. He must act that night.
He must act soon. He must gag that
wild cat, Estelle.
And the face Of Joyce rose up be-
fore his eyes again. He went back,
drained his glass, put out his light.
He waited a minute till the liquor be-
gan to race through his veins plan
ming what he should do
-"Jimw
He started. His hands 1eaped to his
pistol as two shadows gllded in through
the doorway. Shorty and Pierre ad-
vanced openly toward him.
"Stop therel" he growled. "Well"
What d'you want?"
They shifted uneasily in front of
him. "Well, there's ben some grum-
blin' about that gold, Jim," Shorty
vouchsafed. "The boys kinder seem
to think you amt plannin' to play fair
with 'em. They've put Kramer on
guard to watch the motor-boat in case
you might be aimin' to git away with
her"
AdI . JAubS ANdLAho
He sprang to his feet. From the
door of the hut he could discern
shadowy figure near the parapet For
an instant he was about to rush at 1t
in his rage. But then his cunning
came to his aid. He turned back into
the hut.
whats their game-and yoursW
Shorty hesitated. "Well va see,
Jim, me and Pierre's allus stood by
va, and we kinder thought we'd let va
know the boys has been talkin' things
over among themselves"
Railway smiled sourly. He knew
the pair Of them would not have hesi-
tated to side with the mutineers if
they had thought there was any chance
of outwitting him. Pierre and Shorty
knew Railways vigilance, his infinite
resource.
Spill itp
well Jim, I guess they're gettin'
ready to rush you, now you've put out
your light. They're aiming to tie you
up and git away with the gold In the
motor boat"
Just to tie me? They wouldn't
hurt me2" Railway snickered, and the
pair shuff1ed their feet uncomfortably.
He laughed. And his plans to meet
this situation leaped into his mind.
He must let the men attack, and then,
when he had finished with them, he'd
make short work of Pierre and Shorty,
and Estelle too. His confidence was
coming back.
'SThey sent me and Pierre to see If
you'd gone to sleep here"
"Well, aint." Railway returned,
laughing again. He knew his non
chalance at once discounted and
bound them to him through fear ave
gone to the hut across the neck to say
good night to the girl. and maybe, If
she presses me, won't be hurrying
away. Get thatp he asked, as they |
guffawed self consciously.
You'll 90 back and tell 'em I'm
gone, Pierre. You got your gum
Shortly All right. You and nell
have a quiet little session in the
swamp, waitin' for 'em to come. along
the trail one by one-eh. Shorty?"
He clapped each one on the shoulder
There's gold enough in that sack to
make us three millionaires, and there'll
be a d-n sight less sharing" he said.
"And listen, boys. I've cached 1t, so,
If I'm croaked, nobodyll get It, Seer
The men were fools anyway, but
trebly SO when their cupidity was
aroused. Railway imagined the greed
Gaping into their eyes, and laughed,
He was reckless now. The hooch devil
rode him at last And in his minds
eye he saw the picture.
And, what a holocaust for Joyce
No one could prove anything, either.
,ven If they caught him. And the
bodies of Lee and Pelly would never
)e found. There was Estelle, Of course,
,ut whatever happened, she would
lever give him away.
Curiously, Estelle, who had lOomed
% prominently as his chief. difficulty