The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-02-16

lows is getting the best of his
opponent when he hears sOme-
one running toward them in the
darkness.
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER XVIII
! The pat:cr of running feet drew
nearer, but the darkness, intensified
by the drizzling rain, was like an
impenetrable screen, and Rand, with
eyes straining, waited for the in
| visible runner to draw nearer to the
light.
| The man who had collapsed against
the wall was gathering himself to-
gether. Jimmy Rand, looking off in
to the darkness, had his back to
him and did not see the stealthy APP
proach, the. huge outstretched paws.
A sudden sound behind him caused
him to turn just in time to escape
| the others grasp. Once more he
backed away from his opponent.
A form took shape out Of the dark
ness at his back. "Plug him, Kid"
There was the light Of recognition
in the big mans eyes. "Plug him,
Kid. plug him!"
Jimmy wheeled and caught a fleet
ing glimpse of dark face and
twisted nose and light glnting from
a revolver. Without an instant's
pause he left his feet and launched
his flying body straight at the legs
Of the newcomer.
The mans feet shot from under
him and he fell to the sidewalk, his
fright hand still brandishing the. re-
volvers He scrambled wildly to his
feet, but the catapult that had struck
him had risen in Il flash and was
| flying down the street. He raised
his hand and fired.
Rand was twisting and lodging
in his flight. The shots went wild.
jimmy pulled up, painting, ut the
gate in front Of his rooming house
and rac swiftly up the walk to the
porch. There he waited and listened,
but there was no pursuits; evidently
his ASSISTANTS had decided to leave
before some policeman. attracted by
the sound of shots, should appear to
spoil their plans.
He opened the front door, went in
and slammed it shut, and then stood
leaning against it, breathing deeply.
King. the landlady. 7"Oh, it's you,
Mr.. Rand why, Mr.. Rand, you're
hurt" Her hands, buried in the
capacious pocket in the front Of her
bingham apron, were hastily with
drawn. They fluttered helplcssly
about her head. you're bleeding"
someone tried to help me up,
guess, but got away all right. My
ears cut little; that's tho only
damage, I.think.'
He moved to the telephone. 'I'm
going to call the police" Mrs. King.
in a high state of excitement, left
and returned little later with a
basin Of warm water and towel.
He hung up the receiver, and Mrs.
King, in spite of his protests, pro-
ceedcd to bathc his injured ear and
to wash away the blood that had
cakcd on his cheek and neck.
There was telephone call fol-
you yesterday, Mr.. Rand"
"Who was it," he asked.
II don't know. thought it was
queer at the time. A man called
and asked for you. said you had
left town."
| WAS that all"
/ ooh, no. He said, oh, is that
2 and then told him that you
would be back in day or SO. He
said, 'Oh, he will, will hep and hung
up"
'And that was all he said?'
Eyes, thPt was all. It was jusl
the way that he said oh, he will
! will hep that struck me as being
queer"
Jimmy had risen. "What do 20,
mean, Mrs. King, when you say il
! sounded quecr?"
s.Why, IL don't just know hoy
to explain it. The man sounded dis
appointed, in way, when | told hin
you were coming back. No, not ex
actly that, either. Not disappointed
but sort Of surprised. IL didn'
like his tone."
"You mean he sounded as if h,
expected / had left town and was
rather taken aback to learn / was
returning. Is that it,"
Eyes, you've put it just right.
suppose. I'm foolish to imagine
things like that. It might have beer
good friend Of yours--although
should think he'd have given hi'
name."
Jimmy was on his way up tn.
stairs. II don't think you're imagin
ing anything, Mrs. King. dom
know who it was that called, but
you may be sure it wasn't friend
He turned away. "I'm going tx
take bath. Is there plenty Of hot
water?'
eyes, Mr.. Rand. And you'll fine
Eminent in the medicine chest"
eBy the way" he added, II cx
pcct Lieutenant O'Day, police Off
Ger. When he comes show him x
my room, please. And--oh,, yes, Mrs
King, the next time you get a queel
telephone call for me will you Motif,
the chief operator and ask her *
try to trace it,"
He was gone up the steps, leav
ing his landlady-hands locked to
gether in her large apron pocket
mouth agape agonized with curl
osity.
"Aud now tell me all about thi,
little party you had, me lad" Lieu
tenant O'Day, comfortably seated II
an armchair, removed q fat blacl
cigar from his cap and asked for !
ITS against Che regulations
smoking on duty before midnight
but I was never won't to look regu.
.lation in the eye when my SYSTEMS
crying odt for the weed. Rand
fdon't take things too-what Is it
Jimmy, proppinf himself up OF
4 the bed With = couple OF pillows
. bathrobt covering Ms .pajamas and
his feet thruSt in = pair 81 felt bed.
room, slippers, laughed i and lit .
cigareG for AiAasA3E- ...1vsa II Yi.s
!. ITS not the breaking Of regula,