The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1932-10-21

iOWCu uo' AuyHOWs nc was Dculuu
US for good part of the way. And
his surprise just now at seeing us
here was a fake. He knew, three
days ago, that we were headed this
way"
Silence for minute, and then
Starbuck spoke again.
"Tell me, Walter, have you got any
thing on Canby?">
mo; but now he is here, and we're
here, we'll try to keep cases on him,
If only for the sake Of enlightening
some Of our good friends in the home
town. AS I told you, he is trying to
put over deal something like the one
he engineered here last summer, with
so my father thinks-just about as
much profit to the investors in it."
"In that case-just a word to the
wise, Walter. Slip a gun in your
jeans If you're going to keep tab on
that rooster. There were some queer
doings here in connection with the
bauxite mine deal that never did
get out into daylight"
That night, as they were returning
to the hotel after an evening spent
with Starbuck in the all-but-deserted
mansion in the mesa suburb, Lands
Said. "YOur cousin gives Candy a
worse name than the one we've been
giving him back home" Then, ut
hurts me sayagely when think Of the
hold he's got upon Betty"
"Oh, I don't know" Markham was
beginning; but before he could en-
large upon whatever doubt he had in
mind, there were other things to think
of. They had turned corner, when
three dark figures darted across the
street in their rear. Before they
could face about, Lands was stagger-
ing from blow on the head, and
Markham was doing his best as skill
full amateur boxer to keep from shar-
ing his companions fate.
Fortunately the best was fairly good.
A jab to the solar plexus sent one of
the assailants grooming, in the gutter,
and a hook to the jaw discouraged
another. But the third man hit Mark
hams guarding arm paralyzing blow
with some heavy weapon and was
swinging for second when help came
in the shape of night patrolman
turning the corner. ''Hey-officer"
Markham shouted. AS the policeman
came on the run, the two who were
still afoot darted away, and the third
man scrambled to his feet and bolted
before the officer could come up.
"Now then-what's all this" de-
manded the majesty of the law. "Was
them fellies tryin' to hold We up?
Which way did they goT'
Down that alley" and as the patrol
man gave chase, Markham turned to
Lands, who was holding his head in
his hands.
"Bad hurt, Owen"
''Sandbagged-knock the senses
out of me for minute. What did
they do to you?"
Nothing much. Can you navigate"
II can walk all right Sudden,
wasn't it? What are they? Stick-up
menu"
"I'm wondering. There was no
'hands-upr about it. They acted more
like hired killers. The first one hit
had his knife out. There it is now,
in the gutter" and he stopped and
picked up vicious weapon with an
eight-inch blade and a bone handle.
well keep this for souvenir"
In their rooms at the hotel they took
account of their casualties. They were
not serious. Then they examined the
knife Wally had picked up.
1t was plainly of foreign manufac-
ture, and on the smooth bone handle
was carved a Spanish word which
neither of them could translate.
"Mexicans," said Markham; II
thought they were. HIM; SO they kill
first and rob afterward, do they? And
we had two perfectly good guns which
we we're careful to leave locked up
safely here in the room! Never again,
Owen, my boy. We go heeled after
this. Let's turn in and forget it."