The Washington times., 1931-04-20

CHAPTER IL
Carl stared at Hank with un-
feigned surprise when the latter
announced he was going to
marry Anne, then laughed un-
easily.
mo offense, Hank" he de-
clared, and, quickening his pace,
entered the steak house ahead
of the other man.
Hello, Scorpio, congratula-
tions!" he greeted the gang
leader. Then, turning to the
Gouger, How about an inter
view with the big intellectual
heavy of Centro?" MiszoSki
grinned and indicated a private
booth. Hank approached Scor-
pio.
"Ah! My old pal Hank"
greeted Scorpio, as Newton
stepped in from an adjoining
booth. Hank nodded coldly.
"Hello, Slaughterhouse," he
answered.
Scorpio frowned. The name
"Slaughterhouse" did not please
him any more. He opened his
mouth for a hot retort, when
Newton, with a sign, silenced
him.
mfr. Scorpio," Newton re-
marked suavely, with very
slight accent on the Mr."
might care to say a few words
about the Centro election"
Hank looked the lawyers ever,
then turned to Scorpio.
Whats on your mind, Slaugh-
terhouse,?" he a SIX e d. con-
temptuously.
Again rage flared within
Scorpio. He'd never liked Hank
since that night of the Franks
killing. The reporter, he felt,
had tried to railroad him to
Jail then.
He had long sensed an ermity
between them-and was jeal-
Gus of the newspaperman's at
tentions to Anne. Once more a
frown suffused his face, and an
angry retort rose to his lip, to
be bitten back at a warning
glance from the cold eyes Of
Newton.
A Little Present
"Er-well-. Come inside"
he suggested, indicating one of
the booths in the restaurant.
Wonderingly, Hank followed
him, as Newton watched, the
shadow of smile on his thin
face. Newton, it was easy to
see, had directed the move,
whatever it was.
Inside the booth, SCorpio
drew from his pocket a thin
flat package.
"I like all you newspaper
boys" remarked the gang ruler,
sand you and Carl have been
mighty fine to me, from the
time I didn't amount to moth
ing up to now, when I'm get
ting up in the world. So I
want to show you my apprecia-
ton, and here is a little pres
ent for you to remember me
by"
He paused, for effect, then
handed the package over and
watched as the newspaper man
united it.
Inside the case was an elabo-
rately carved gold cigarette
case. In its center, studded
with diamonds, was a mono
grammed III" and below it was
engraved:
ITO my old pal Hank-fron1
his good friend Scorpio."
Hank looked admiringly at
the handsome thing. turned it
over in his hands, then curl
ously snapped it open. 1t was
filled; but not with white cigar
cites. The pellets packed into
it were green.
He picked one out and un-
rolled it, then gasped in amaze
ment.
For in the case. rolled up to
resemble cigarettes in shape
were 10 crisp new $1,000 bills.
Hank fingered the bills for a
moment with a puzzled frown,
then comprehension dawned.
Carefully placing the folded bill
back into the cigarette case, he
handed it to the dumfounded
Scorpio.
Sorry" he stated coldly, "but
that's not in my line, Slaughter
house" Without waiting to hear
the others protestations, he
stepped into the restaurant,
look Of resolve on his face.
Straight to the cigar counter he
strode, and confronted Anne.
where's your hat? You're
going to get out of here"
Anne regarded him in amaze
ment.