Evening star., 1928-06-17

No. 2 was working slowly. Less cargo
was loaded than should have been. The
gang boss was undoubtedly aware Of the
situation below, for occasionally Kerry
could see him peering down the hatch,
and when Glory and his men were slow
In unloading the draft, he himself ma
nipulated the slack cable until the big
hook was loosened.
| X n
NOON--and an hour of absolute
quiet. Once, shortly after work
had started again, Kerry moved to the
very edge of the deck, where 1t termi-
mated at the hatch opening. He wanted
! To see what the others would do
whether they would construe this move
as an attempt to escape, Glory left his
work and moved forward. and at that
instant there was a shrieking OF the
winch, singing of steel cable and the
massive iron hook came crashing into
the hold, missing Kerry's head by inches.
The watchman leaped back. He knew
definitely now that the men above were
In on the plot. The hook had been sent
to crush him--and then there would
have been the usual alibi--faulty winch,
accident.
| Afternoon wore slowly away. Tension
was growing there we're frequent whis-
| pered conferences among the Gophers,
all of which Dave Kerry watched calmly
but with inward trepidation. After one
| particularly lengthy conference Glory
Lawson staggered to where Kerry was
| sitting, The watchman rose warily and
Glory sneered
What you gettin' up for. Watch?"
| Just stretching. Seventh inning"
"Ah-a-a-ahl Trying to be cute. amt
| you?"
Guess I was born cute, Glory"
| "Uh-huh. And you're most likely to
| die the same way"
| This much Dave Kerry knew; even
| to the lengths of committing cold mur-
| der. they had no slightest intention of
letting him escape. He fancied he knew
what they would do. Corner him, pro-
woke him to physical combat, and then
pump bullet into his body. 1t had
been done before 1t could be done
| again. He noticed the others watching
| him even more closely, after Lawson
moved away.
The cargo on that particular deck had
not been expertly loaded. A couple of
| dozen cases had been dumped near
where Kerry was standing. waiting to
be trimmed IN with the other cargo.
Eddie Grogan. at a signal from Glory,
moved toward the watchman.
Well" he inquired, don't you like
it?"
Kerry arched his eyebrows. II amt
got thing TO do with cargo-trimming.
Grogan did not notice that. as Kerry
spoke, he moved around so that the
lonRshoreman stood between him and a
blind passage behind the big cases
you been lookin' kind of funny"
II never did think / was good lookin'."
Grogan released stream OF yituper-
alton Kerry grinned GOSH" he COM
mented. Il wouldn't say that sort of
thing about anybody"
And then something happened to Mr.
Eddie Grogan.
Dave Kerry struck. The blow came
with Sucn swiftness that the two men
watching from across the hatch did not
even see 1t. They heard the impact of
fist against flesh. startled grunt. and
saw Mr.. Grogan fall fiat behind the bull
wark OF cargo As Grogan fell Kerry
leaped to safety behind the packing
cases Two shots buried themselves In
the cargo. Kerry heard a shout and
cursings, and meanwhile he was not
Idle.
He had negotiated a tactical coup by
| taking the offensive. He bent over the
| form OF the unconscious Eddie Grogan
and relieved that gentleman OF vicious
little 25-20 automatic. Almost at the
same instant Mr.. Hennessy hurled him
self rccklessly around the corner OF the