New Britain herald., 1926-03-23

had more than held his own. Be- sides, there was that heavy andiron knob. If he, should need it.
 He clutched it tightly in his right hand. Then silently he mounted the da'k stairs. Dark except for a mar row strip illuminated by beam Of light from the room where Divis lay and Olga sat watching.
 He hcsitatcd just before coming 10 t If Jensen happened 10 he looking, he surely would see his shadow as he passed. So he stood q moment and listened.
 Jenson's voice still sounded far away. probably coming, Jimmy con- cluded, from a room, rather than from the upper hall. He seized the hanister, pulled himself swiftly past the light mad resumed his silent, creeping journey up the stairs.
 Jensen had not seen him. he thought. because the mans voice was still a steady rumble. Listen ing, Jimmy thought it must be com ing from room directly over the one he had just left downstairs.
 At the head of the stairs he was more distinct but still 1t was stopped once more. Jensen's voice impossible to distinguish his words
 Jimmy thought; If only he'd mention the other mans name. Just once Godl I've got to hear what he's saying"
 He moved slowly, silently, up the hall. He vas right, he found. Jen- zen was inside the room, just as he had pictured him. And now Jimmy crouched outside, hardly daring to breathe, could hear what he was saying:
 Huh? Yeah. Well, I'm gettin ready to pull my freight"
 There was a long silence, during which Jimmy imagined the unknown on the other end of the wire was talking to Jensen.
 Jensen's drunken rumble resumed: Yeah she's here. Well, I might take her along with me, an if she ain't agreeable l can dump her off some place. The Kids gonna bring the car tonight. Huh? No, I don't think she would. I don't think she likes me too much"
 He laughed loudly at something that must have amused him. Huh? . No, not me. I'm not bumpin' off any woman. It ain't in my line. . What do I care if she does ! tell? I'll be over the border. Who, you? No, not a chance. She don't know a thing. Not thing"
 Again he stopped talking. and Jimmy found himself trying to piece together the fragments of conversa- tion, 10 imagine what the other man must be saying to Jensen.
 He heard Jensen say: "Who2 Randi" and his nerves tingled at the mention of his name. That Jen- sen and his unknown should be dis cussing him. b
 No" Jensen went on. ''let the Kid do if. I'm leavin' tonight. Sure, he can. He should a got 1 him that night when he took shot at him. Just a bum break, that's all. . Yeah, got the dough. The Kid give it to me. Yeah. one grand. And say, don't forget. As soon as you hear from me down in Mexico, don't forget to send the rest of it. Five grand. And say. don't try to slip me no double cross, cause if you do. your goose is cooked. See?"
 "Aw don't bother about Rand. The kidll get him if you give him time. Sure"
 So" Jimmy was thinking as the others voice trailed off again, "it was Kid Divis that took the shot at me that night. Now I wonder why? I wonder who it is that's so anxious 10 get me?"
 No" JensenN was saying, "Tu take her with me. Sure, she won't get away. ] know where to stop got friends take me in sure. Yeah. Charlie's goin' with me most of tn way.
 You goin' away? What for? Oh, you're thinkin' of ii. = Nav, tell you she don't know a thing. You're all right. Safe as a bug in a rug. Ha-ha." Jensen laughed up- roariously.