The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1929-06-28

turned to his cousin.
"Hil," he cried, "you don't think
killed that MANI"
"Not for minute; but you might
have lot of trouble explaining
things, all the same. I'm relieved at
| his death, I'll admit. didn't tell
Dina, or even Bill, but Mrs. Smoker
warned me that he had stolen some
money from his old father. and had
probably bought a gun. He was seen
at the Grand Central, where he In
quired how to get to Pine Plains.
Mrs. Smoker said he had made
threats to kill me. That ties up with
Appleton's story. No matter what
other reasons he had, believe he did
keep Smoker from trying to kill
me-"
do you mean to let them go.
them"
at will depend on what we get
from this thug that Les and Junior
are bringing"
.
Jim Delaney had too much sense
to try to escape from three armed
men. The fortunes of war had
changed, and he was already consid-
ering the favorable position OF one
who turns states evidence. He sat
where Handy directed him. He could
see that the owner of the Gray house
was not to be tri1ed with.
TITS enough for you to know"
Handy began, that Appleton and
Belle are shut away In those cells.
We know all about them. I'm go
ing to ask you some questions. Lie,
If you want to-"
"Tm not going to lie. boss" re-
sponded Jim eagerly. "That wouldn't
do me no good now. would it?"
"None at all, hut | don't want to
influence you. Bill, take down his
evidence. please. Just explain who
you are, and why you and that"
Luigi" Jim volunteered. "He's a
wop from Sicily. Him and me are
employed by Appleton. We've been
storing the stuff and guarding it."
Jim smiled ruefully. II don't know
who give us away, but you certainly
came when it did the most harml'
Naturally" Handy commented,
wholly ignorant of what the other
meant. I'm giving you the oppor-
tunity Of telling me all about it In
your own way. ~ =
1T all began. r jim: declared .when.
Appleton bought Seymour's booze.
This Seymour was rich man. His
wife was from swell family in the
South. and he expected to live here
all his life. He had the house on a
lease, with the option of purchase.
and he meant to buy, see? So he
sends home to England for a stock
of booze-whisky in barrels, and port
in wood. and Liquors, and cham.
pagnes, and everything a man wants.
Them guys in England, when they're
we'll fixed, buy wholesale. and they
all have cellars and 0utlers to look
after them. This Seymour, he put in
enough SO he'd never have to buy
anything else If he lived to be a hun.
dred. When his kids was drowned
and his wife died. he went back home.
and. although he was past fifty, he
got into his old regiment. Then his
three brothers was killed in the war.
and he's a lord or something. Money
wasn't anything to him. He wanted
to get out of this place, and be liked
Appleton. so he took Appleton's check
for the cellar. What does Appleton
do but get Luigi to build a wall
across one end of it? auigi's a ma.
son by trade. Appleton wasn't like
me. thought prohibition was joke
when it come in. was tending bar
down on Third avenue. Appleton
had friends in Washington, and they
knew booze was out for keeps"
Jim was here permitted to light
cigar. while Bill put down the main
incidents in this recital.
"Yes," Jim went on refectively.
that give Appleton the idea. He
knew booze was going to be scarce.
so he stated to make a place to
cache 1t in till the price was right
and he could dispose of it all at one
crack. He made new plans of the
house, and left out the cellar where
the stuff was stored. guess that
fooled you MIR. Handy"
ut did," Handy admitted.
Hell fool anybody" said Jim, who
was enjoying the interest aroused "
his story. "I'll say he's the slickest
bird I've come across. He plans for
the year after next-that's the sort
of guy he is. He had the lake part
ly filed in. Then he had some dago
laborers fix the stream, build a tunnel
in here, and make the place livable.
They didn't know what they was do
ing, and didn't care, so long as they
was paid good. Then he put Luigi
In as caretaker. You see the cops
were after Luigi, and he didn't stand
q chance with that build Of his. Any
dick could "a nabbed him any time.
Luigi likes to drink AMI sleep. and