Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-03-07

CHAPTER LII
AT sight of Jack Stuart and Teny
Francois Le Tarte went u dirty
yellow. while his eyes took on u
panicky look like the eye OF q
cornered animal. Face to face with
the man. Jack Stuart's pent-up feel
lngs overcame him for the moment.
"You dirty curl" he gritted. hold
ing himself with difficulty. what
have you 70 say for yourself ,"
But the professor had noticed the
federal men. evidently recognized
them ms officers, and knew himself
to be in no immediate danger Of a
personal attack. He assumed NJ once
an air Of injured dignity.
II don't know what you rfean,
Jack Stuart he asserted. with a
fine showing Of righteous anger.
speaking to me in that manner."
where's tn woman you brought
here?" asked Detective Burke, point
blank.
Il don't admit your right. sir. in
asking me such q question:" re-
piled the professor. hauehtily.
At this display OF bravado Jack
Stuart felt himself slipping. What
q pretentious fool the fellow was.
Could he be such n fool ms TO think
he had any chance OF bluffing his
way out Of this? Before Burke had
q chance 70 show the professor his
authority, Jack again spoke.
where's my wife. Le Tartesr He
shot the question direct. There was
no sense In beating about the bush,
he told himself.
But the professor was prepared,
evidently. 60 meet all queries with
| straight denial.
II don't know what you're talking
about, Stuart" he said, insolently.
AIf you've lost your wife it's not
my fault"
1T seems to me a waste Of time
talking to this fellow!" spoke up the
other federal man at this juncture.
Il suggest we see the woman and
get her statement"
He placed a hand on Professor
lie Tarie's shoulder
"Bear in mind. young fellow, that
we have a warrant for your arrest
on a federal charge"
A quick red leaped into the dane
ing masters cheeks. and then faded,
leaving them sallow again. He kept
close 10 the officers side as the five
y NE4 AWM4AA tuE EAEN4NWka 0Uu~
denly he halted.
"Id like to telephone my attorney,
If ! may" he said, appealing 70 the
government man. II can use this
phone here" indicating a nearby
booth. The officer nodded. and lie
Tsrte stepped inside the Enclosure.
Jack Stuart. suspicious Of the pro-
~fessor's every move. stepped over
close 70 the booth. He heard lie
Tarte call room $50. Then:
Beat ii. girl he heard him say.
in a low, distinct tone. Jack Stuart's
here. Also Tony Justin. They've
got two dicks I'm federal office. On
way up now. Duck quick down the
fire escape. Hurry"
Jack had started &c the first words
of lie Tarte TO call out to Burke.
Then IL occurred 20 him TO wait. The
wait was fortunate, as it ~transpired.
As lie Tarte hung UP the receiver
Jack moved quickly over to Burke's
side.
"He was talking 70 her in room
$780," he swiftly informed the federal
man. told her ! was here with Off
GERS and for her 70 get away down
tn fire escape. How'd il be il you
three went up with him 70 tn room,
while ! intercept her at the bottom
Of the fire escape? -
Burke nodded. go ahead" he
said.
Stuart strobe across TO the desk
and spoke 10 the clerk.
Where is tn fire escape connect
ing room $50 located-on what side
of the building?" he asked.
Son Fifth street, near tn alley
the clerk told him.
At that moment the professor
emerged from the booth. noted the
distance between himself and the
two officers, and made a sudden
dash for the stairway. Stuart saw
the mans plan and ran to intercept
him. He reached the foot Of the
stairs first, by a split second, saw
lie Tarte's right hand reach for his
nip pocket, and loaped toward him,
with a Undertaking right uppercut,
His fist caught the professor on the
chin. lie Tarte pitched forward on
his face.
There was no time 70 be lost. Jack
knew, II he was going to do any
good at that fire escape. To reach
the spot BY way OF the street he
would have to travel half q block on
the main street, and the same Dis.
lance on Fifth. He knew there must