The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1929-06-21
CHAPTER X-Continued

venomous. Il do not object to your
killing him. 1t is the manner of dis
posing of the body that stamps you
as an inbecile. Why didn't you bury
it where nobody could find It? What
madness made you put it in the
stream? 1t is beyond recovery by us,
but the others will find it, and they
will hold 1t like club-nOt over you
or Jim. but over me. You will find it
hurts you, too! Well, it's done now,
and we know that it will be discov.
cred. Also we know that the men we
are dealing with will make capital out
of it," Appleton's icy rage grew with
the thought of the disaster. Il shall
be the sufferer-I, who thought that
after tonight should have no worries
in the world!" He pointed at Luigi.
''And this mass of clay from, Paler-
mos underworld, who has had sane
tuary here, and food and drink, when
he should be in an Italian Jail, has
twice imperiled usv'
"That isn't fair, Fred" the woman
protested. Alone of them she seemed
to be in no fear of him. Kerr, or
Chaplin, or whatever his real name
was, got that job because he knew
: there was some mystery here, and he
hoped to blackmail us. Some one
must have given us away. Either
Luigi had to get him, or we might all
have been discovered"
stupid" he commented Grossly.
'Why do you all persist in misunder-
standing me? You seem to think |
am worrying about the death of an es-
capped convict, when | am only remem-
berng that Luigi. instead of conceal.
ing the body here, must throw it in
the lake, under the impression that
there was an end of it." He waved
his hand to the Sicilian. go! Re-
member, we need all your strength
today. Sleep. If you want to. Jim
will call yon when we are ready"
Luigi great carcass bowed, and
animated itself with relief. His was
childs mentality. He bowed to
them all. Jim liked his cooking.
Il gotta you your breakfas', Jeem,"
he said, smiling. II make-a the toma-
to, garlic, and potato you like"
He took his way to the storeroom
gayly. After the meal he would
sleep. After that, there would be
work for him that no other man here
could perform. Jim Delaney was
stronger than most men, but he was
mot like Luigi, who had carried a
grand piano ON his back.
-You see. jim" said Appleton. when
the Sicilian had gone. .'tlnit We are
now in the position OF dealing with
PEOPLE who hold something definite
against us"
re- az as deep US We are, 4
said Jim.
.Nothing Of the kind We may
suspect them of dozen murders, but
whereas we have only suspicion they
have a corpus Enthusiastically the
body of the crime. They can't help
finding 1t. 1t has cost me great
deal Of money and time to make 1t
certain that they must find it. That's
one of the exasperating thngs!"
"FOrget it, Fred" the woman said.
patting his head. "Two weeks from
now we'll be in Europe. living like
lords"
''Sure. chief" Jim declared "They
won't want to give you away, any.
how"
There's risk in the whole affair."
Appleton retOrted. eff the deal goes
through safely, they will use their
knowledge to cut my price. Ii re-
fuse, they will pay. perhaps. but
they'll get me for Luigi's foolishness.
IL they are discovered. they will have
to accuse me to save themselves.
Luck doesn't keep on. 1t was sheer
luck that the police dropped the Red
Chaplin case when they found the
mangled body Of an old cell mate who
had threatened to kill him. This thing
worries me. Or course. sou might
get the body at the culvert. but you
would most likely be seen. Safer,
perhaps, to let things go. See that
Luigi is ready when we need him."
Jim walked TO the storeroln, calling
the Sicilian by name. This cellar bad
been so constr rcted as to be sound
proof.
1t was Juniors quick ear that heard
him first, as he passed the door of
Leslie BarrOn'S cell.
they'll find that man and know
we're here" he whispered.
swell get him as he's finding him."
Handy said.
There were four now who crept
toward the storeroom. They entered it
just as Jim was kneeling by Luigi's
side, untying his bonds. 1t was Les
lie who made the first spring at him.
Jim had rot chance. Outnumbered,
taken by surprise. unable to rise to
his feet, his struggle was futile. Side
by side, he and Luigi nibbled viciously
against gags.
Nov for Tom Burton!" said Han.
by, when they left the storeroom.
When the door opened. Burton
stood up and clenched his fists. He
knew that som. day Luigi's inherent
love of torture would lapse into some
such pyhihitiOn Of vioIonpa &c Uniild