New Britain herald., 1926-02-23

Well, it's the same man I had
 the fight with that night---one of
 the men who followed me home, l
 didn't get good look at the other
 fellow in the car--thc man at the Wlcol--but l wouldn't be surprised
 if it was the man who was with
 him that night"
 "Oh, Jim, I'm nervous --- I'm
 afraid"
 Afraid of what? Good Lord, girl,
 don't talk like that when the an-
 swcr 10 this whole mystery is almost
 in our hands" He clenched his fists.
 "Tf I get my hands on that man
 I'll get the truth out of him if have 10 choke it out"
 I'm afraid of what they'll do to you, Jim, if we do catch up with them. They'll shoot you; they'll do anything to get away" They had left the brightly light cd downtown district behind and were racing through dark streets in a shabby residential neighborhood.
 Not a cop in sight" muttered Jimmy. "and we haven't time 10 stop and look for one" The driver shouted at him through the open window at his back. Say. brother, what do you do when you catch these dudcs?"
 Hold them until we cen get cop" Jimmy shouted back.
 Count mo out. I'm not holding anybody that don't want 10 be held. They may be tough boys. I don't want to get plugged"
 There. you heard what he said" Olga cautioned Jimmy. They'll shoot if you try to stop them"
 Were gaining on them" he said, paying no attention to her warning. They're less than half a block ahead. Step on it, driver" he called through the window.
 She's all the way down now. bud ay. Amt we gaining fast enough to suit you? Whoa there!" He slammed on the brakes. Look at 'em now"
 The green sedan had come 10 sudden stop alongside the curb. Two men jumped out and ran straight for | the house in front of which they had stopped. Jimmy saw them cut across the lawn and disappear into the darkness of the front porch.
 The taxi iolted 10 q stop, and Jim my bopped out.
 Where are you going?" Olga cried, grabbing him by the arm.
 I'm going in after them Are you coming with ne?" he said to the driver.
 "Who-me? Not q chance, broth er. I'm staying right out here in my little gas buggy. Take tip from me and don't go in there. You might get crowned"
 "Listen to him, Jim" Olga was with him. Hes right. Don't go in there after them. Let's ind a policeman and then go in"
 And let them get away?" he ,ried, Do you think I've been all this time for a chance ike this only to throw it away? I'm going in the house. You two get a policeman" ,,
 "No. JiIn!" She clung 10 his arm . 
 Let me go" He tore himself pose and she fell in heap to the :, pavement He ran across the grass md up the steps. There he turned : lnd shouted back to them. "Go on 'nd get a policeman If you want to lclp."
 The front door was ajar. He flung | open and the house inside was il utter darkness. He struck a match and found himself in a long hallway. The match flickered and le strained his ears and eyes for sound or sight of the men who l lad gone in ahead of him.
 The match went out and the doom enveloped him again. He tarted feeling his way along the wall, had taken perhaps two or three low steps when he heard a, slight sound in the rear of the louse. It sounded like heavy feet craptng along the floor. His only bought was that the pair were mak- ng their escape through the back, nd he sprang forward in the dark ess toward the door that the match ad revealed at the end of the hall
 The noises were louder now. H card q knob turn in q door and aw just ahead of him, in the itchen. a dim, shadowy form Out of the darkness an- ther and larger figure loomed- lose beside him. He ducked in- .inctively, but too late. A crashing low caught him squarely in the emrle and he sank Imply to the oor. He heard the door slam and ]