The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-05-09
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER xxx

NOW GO ON WITH The STORY
CHAPTER xxx
The taxicab In which Stephen rode
with the men who were charged with
seeing him safely to the Judson Ho-
tel made slow progress toward First
avenue.
Oerndorf regretted that he had
chosen the route in order to avoid
the delay on Fifth venue. He knew
that First ayenue presented a better
opportunity to anyone desiring to
speed away from the scene Of an ac-
cident or a shooting.
But it was too late to turn back.
Should they try it their purpose
would be easily guessed. It was bet
ter to give no indication that they
knew they were being followed.
They had the advantage there.
Their defense would be a surprise.
This thought held him from suggest
ing a change of route.
AS for Stephen. he welcomed a
chance to come to grips with Huck
or his men. But he'd have given any
thing for a gun. He knew the men
behind him weren't equipped with
popguns.
Frean was only doing his duty. It
was all in the days work to him.
Still. when they reached First ave
nue. and turned north OH that amaz-
ing street Of push carts and linn
cuisines. all three were tense and alert.
A quick glance sufficed to reveal
that their followers were hanging on.
The driver held to the center Of the
street until they came to the turn in
the IT,. Nothing was likely to hap
pen in the shadow Of that structure.
he reasoned. with the streets crowded
at the curb by the push carts and the
pillars Of the elevated Offering further
obstruction.
But when he came to the open he
edged gradually over to the right,
though not Suspiciously slowing up
behind the trucks. He lodged round
them when necessary.
The green light was with him when
he drove out from under the elevated,
He vas not compelled to stop in the
center of the street with room for
the other a to draw up beside him
on the right.
He knew why Frean did not want
that. The detective, himself seated
on the right, would have = far bet
ter opportunity to use his gun on
anyone at the left.
Three blocks farther on the lights
changed. Again fortune favored
those in the leading taxicab. A huge
truck stood between 1t and the side
walk.
This did not suit the men in the
second cab. They'd discovered Frean's
presence in Oerndorf's taxi before
Stephen entered it. But they had nc
means of knowing that Frean was
there for any unusual reason.
To them 1t was natural enough
that Stephen. knowing he had beer
framed, should desire protection. But
that he could guess at the orders
Huck had given in regard to him
seemed improbable.
They gave no thought to thu
adage. "cherchez Ia femme" There
are people who will say seek thu
woman" whenever there Is trouble
and others who will say 1t before
These men would have done well e
remember that q woman was inter
ested in Stephen. For one Of them
at least. there was nc excuse In fail
ing to do so inasmuch a. It vas HI
who had warned Mildred against try
ing to make Harold talk. Likewise i
was he who had reported to Hucl
that she was visiting Stephen In hi
cell.
Had it not been for Mildred's low
for him Stephen would ct that mo
ment have been completely ct thu
mercy of Huck'S villains.
We've gotta 60 through with It,
they'd decided upon seeing Freau
We've got the break"
And I'd like Z chance to pay Of
that flattie for running me In" on
observed viciously.
Better keep your mind on you
business" hts companion warnel
him. "You amt here to even up m,
old scores. II We fall down on this 10
it amt gonna be healthy for Us Il
Connor's neighborhood."
= =
AS the signal light changed t
green and their q started forware
both Stephen and Erean felt thu
something was due to happen soon.
At the next change Of signal ia
first taxicab run through. the drive
thinking the other car might sto
and be left q block behind. But th
second car came tearing along clos
upon him, though only narr0wl
avoiding q collision with a truck tha
had nosed out for a quick start acr0e
the avenue.