Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1932-06-15
Chapter -
RACkETS

THERE was a malicious CLEAN in
Il the cripple's eye as ne watched
a pelican wade At the edge OF the
beach.
Perhaps we'd better take M n
question at a time. he suggested 70
Nancy. Il happened, quite by accid-
ent, to see a splendid picture oil YOU
in the Photograph SETON OF a sunday
newspaper just as | was making OUT
my guest list. Beneath 1t was a cap
ion to the effect that you were EN-
gagged To be married 10 n OF Amer
ica's wealthiest men. Since your H.
.ance established, So 10 speak, your
financial standing, it occurred 70 me
that you would he 4 welcome addition
to our somewhat exclusive little
circle.
Il am quite happy to say that Mr..
Macomber, your flanee, paiu your
board bill without protest.
Nancy sat still FIR some moments
staring thotfully across the glIttering
TEL me. Mr.. Asbwood." she asked
at length, why did YOU come down
here yourself when you knew we
would all be able 70 IDENTIFY you IN
court If you are eyer captured
THAT Miss Wentworth was part OF
my plan. My past efforts have been
extraordinarily remunerative, but, be-
ing a restless spirit. | have become
bored with them. This is my last
racket, as the worthy Mr.. Luccl would
term it."
when l first discovered the value
of airplanes as pari Of every intelli-
gent criminals equipment he went
on, blandly. II allowed my imagtna-
tion to run riot upon the uses 70
which so novel an instrument might
be put. This plan occurred To me, bit
by bit, and | spent the better part or
six months finding the proper location
for my guest house. At last | dis
covered this island, which is nothing
short of ideal for the purpose. | pur-
chased a portable house, with all
equipment, gasoline lighting plant, ell
ectris refrigerator and the like, and
brought Ii here on a seow, where my
men erected 1t. Very simple JOB IT
was, too.
When the house has surved its
purpose. | shall disappear. My sane
tuary awaits me. IN IT, have q
grand piano, a modern radio and
thousands of books, enough to last
me until / die. There, comfortable,
surrounded with the things | love, |
shall mediate upon these days OF
roguery, browse c~ontentedly thru my
library and, perhaps. write a book or
two
ne SilllitU dl Htif q WHY Aiituti0tt
generous smile which ~contrasted
strangely with his words and actions.
She found herself amazed beyond be-
lief at this strange philosophy OF TINS
remarkable man. She wondered what
he had suffered u give him TINS
warped outlook upon life, but her in
tuition warned her that il would not
be wise to probe too deeply.
"Ah. MFR. Lucei, he said, looking
over his shoulder, your presence this
morning speaks wonders for your
stamina. You'll PARDON me, I'm sure,
but that diagonal bandage gives your
face an uncommonly raffish look.
How are the other inmates?'
One-shot. his face c-risscrossed with
bandages and surgeons plaster, grin
ned painfully.
Crazy as ever. Limpy," he replied
thickly. 'Mallory's still in bed. Just
saw a steward taking him a highball.
Hamilton is back at his blamed sol
itaire. Mathis sitting in a corner say
ing nothing while Williams tells him
what's the difference between Ma
and September wheat
"How delightful commented the
cripple.
This was a strange bird. A little pot
ty. maybe, but a racketeer such as
gangland has never known before and
would never know again.
Listen. Limpy," he SAID abruptly,
ignoring Nancy's presence, 4 don't
begrudge you this game n damn
bit. You turned a nice deal and III
lay my dough on the line without
sq~uawking. What | want to know IS,
will you play with me or against me
when this is overy'
II take it that you have a PROPOSE
tion?" Ashwood's voice held only the
vaguest shade of interest.
you said it, Listen. / control every
making racket west of the AL
leghanies. My muscle men are in on
the graft in Chicago, Detroit, CIeVe-
land, Cincinnati, st. Louis ana Kan
sas City. In each of these cities my
men act as the secretaries Of my
outfits and | get the dues, see? No
dues: no protection. No protection
no business, see? | got organizers
! working right now in the East and In
another six months there won't be a
cleaner ana dyer, a garageman or a
milk dealer in the United States who
amt kicking in, see? And that aint
half.
"There are a few guys who are
bucking me- he continued earnestly,
hut my g~orillas will take + OF
"How many men you got in your
mob?' he inquired.
'Forty-four, replied the cripple
carelessly, scattered here II ther'
around the world"
! "That amt many" stated the other