The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-06-03

two guns and hat and coat, and
rolled to one side into the ashes.
The guard at the door had Jared
in the brief interval rather worse
than better. Pardaloe timed his action
to the thud he heard when the sing
ing stopped; Sinking up from behind
like a mountain lion, he clapped one
big hand over the second mans
mouth, and with his other hand
caught his victims wrist in a wise;
the next moment he had doubled him
up in bear hug and choked him into
complete silence.
When the men were secured, Par
daloe dragged his prisoner, bound,
around the corner of the building, ar
rayed himself. as far as he could get
into them, in the accoutrements of
his victim. Selwood, his face smeared
with ashes. ran up. Not losing mo-
ment. he whistled into the night for
Bull Page, who, across the street,
was awaiting his signal. "Now,
Bull" he murmured. as the old man
fastened to him, "for a look at. the
inside!"
Bull caught hold Of the iron latch
handle and pulled at the door. 1t re-
sisted. Either bolted or barred on the
inside, his efforts made no impression
on 1t.
"Stand aside, Bull" said Selwood.
He tried the latch, in turn, and, using
fnrnn xyyhnn
at the, door violently; still unsuccess-
full, he pounded on it with his fist.
A Waterman within unbarred and
opened the door few cautious
inches. Selwood. under the hat of the
fallen guard. thrust forward his head.
Its Bull Page. Let him in! He's
got message for Starbuck."
The Waterman took no chances.
Hold on" he exclaimed gruffly, and
at once slammed the door shut and
barred it. While Selwood waited his
return-with perhaps more impotence
than Bull, who must have felt that to
oblige friend he was taking good
chance Of getting shot-the Waterman
took counsel. He opened the door
again presently and with the same
caution. Come in. Bull"
Selwood in the interval had thrown
away the guards hat and put on the
extra cap pulled from one Of his num-
erous pockets; and when the watch
man opened the door wide enough for
Bull, to enter he attempted to walk
in behind him. The vigiIant guard
ian pushed him out again. "No, you
dori't-"
Bull raised his quavering voice.
Hits all right-he's my partner"
keep out!" exclaimed the watch
man, showing Selwood roughly back
as he tried to edge through the half
open door.
But he's got news Starbuck wants."
persisted Bull, to whom the thought
of entering the wolves den alone was
much more repugnant than that Of
making an appearance under the
wing of mani who could. at least
shoot If shot at.
"No, you DON'T" persisted the door
keeper with truculent aspect. "You
come in, Bull Page-nobody else"
With that, he jerked Bull in by the
coat collar, and banged the door in
Selwood's face.
The gambler took the rebuff impas-
sively. Bull had his instructions: he
was to tell Starbuck Selwood wanted
to see him at the barnard was
likely to get rough handling for his
pains. Outside the evil joint, Selwood
felt he held at least one portal and
could afford to wait.
But he was beginning to count
Bulls effort failure and was trying
to devise a new scheme when, after
what seemed long interval, the door
was opened again. Selwood, as he
saw Harry Barbanet coming out, fol-
lowed by Bull Page, skunk into the
shadow. Barbanet, sober, alert, sus-
picious, was the one man in the place
that Selwood had most hoped not to
encounter, for none, he felt, of the
wolves within would so quickly pene-
trate his rude disguise. AS the two
men emerged, he retreated.
Bull looked vacantly around in the
darkness as If to get his bearings.
Hes here" declared Page in his
trembling voice, trying as he spoke
to penetrate the shadows. st know
that much; or was a minute ago-hell
help, if l en- find him."
"You won't need any help" insist
ed the busy bartender, scornfully.
They're all locked up together right
inside here. back Of the barber shop.
Get old Fyler out the back door, tell
him you'll help 'em get away, him
first. He'll go out with you because
he knows you-all you've got to do is,
throw him into the river. Starbuck
wants to get rid of him-youn get
paid"
1.-THE old mans wiry," objected Bull.
spinning out the talk. 81 want my
partner outside the back door, so the
old man don't throw me in. OF course.
I'll try 1t alone If you say so, but If
my partner"
An outburst from Barbanet cut
short the talk: Bull had said all he
wanted to say, anyway. But, still
.Ia..s l.