The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-07-07
IGambler;s Throw
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{ Simplicity itself" grinned Jerry unhesitatingly We flew over you when you picked up that mon- ey off Montauk Point and follow ed you as far south as Atlantic City We established, on that flight the fact that your base was some where south of the Jersey shore When you picked up the satchel on Lake Michigan, we were fly ing over you at better than 20,- 900 feet, keeping in the sun so you wouldn't spot up. We followed you clear down to a point near Tallahassee, where we had to land But since you were steering a per l fectly straight compass course all day long, it seemed only reason able to suppose that if we follow ed the same course the next morn i ing, we'd find your hideaway soon- CT or later. And we did" 1 Ashwood smoked silently. Then he smiled wryly.
 1 DHow elementary. It is, think the first serious slip have made since I entered this highly divert i ing profession. I should most cer- tainly have followed an irregular course and taken more care to watch for pursuing planes. It was your altitude and position that misled me"
 His thoughtful eyes were fixed l in a moody stare. Then, pulling himself out of his momentary ab- straction, he glanced at the three with sudden decision.
 T have a proposition to make in all seriousness, and I am honest when I tell you that I hope it will be accepted This island, as a prison. is as escape-proof as the strongest cell in the Tower of Lon- don. You haven't dogs chance to escape and l hope that you wont attempt it. It would be absolute suicide. My guards have orders te rshoot to kill every time they pull trigger.
 'aSisevens, 1 have the greatest re- lspect in the world for you. Oi all the policemen and detectives of one sort or another who have Itried to trace this or that little matter to me, you have come the nearest to success. But you are toe late, now. I have decided that this is. to be my last trick and before you have an opportunity to use the evidence you now have against me I will be in spot where extradl- tion will be impossible"
 He turned to Jerry.
 Calhoun, there was something about that turbulent evening we three had in London that has re- mained in my memory throughout these many years AS things turn ed out, it was the last really hap py time I ever had Disasters ot which there is no need to speak began day or two later; things over which I had no control hae lchanged the entire course of my life. That is why, perhaps, I have a decidedly friendly feeling toware both of you.
 T am sorry that you two fel' lows have, oy chance been throwr into lsnis affair. I'm sorry that w are, this time, on opposite sides O. the fence. You cannot possibl! win. My exits are too carefully worked out"
 He lighted another cigarette amid thoughtful silence. When ht spoke again there was no mistak. ing the sincerity in the voice.
 Now here's my proposition. Giv, me your parole until, for one caust or another, permit you, vclun tarily. to leave this island. I Shal do so, believe me, within thre' weeks at the most, perhaps sooner If you make me this promise no to interfere, you will be treated a. guests and made as comfortabl as we know how"
 Turning to Stevens, he declared candidly:
 Old man, I would not sugges this if I thought you had sport ing chance of accomplishing wha : you are paid to do"
 , He glanced briefly at the othe two and his voice suddenly grey hard and cold.
 The alternative, gentlemen, i
 this: I shall give you what free } dom I can. But my men wil : watch you If, at any time, you be l come dangerous to the success o } cur undertaking, we will not hay the slightest hesitancy about kill
 ing you in cold blood, even thougl 3 I should regret it later. There i - too much at stake to permit inter 2 ference.
 . T may add this" He leanet = across the table, his mouth tigh l and grim. In the past few year l have come to regard human Tiff,
 as a matter of the slightest possi