The Omaha guide., 1932-09-03

doubt that the man was dead, for
the knife was stuck in his left
chest over the heart. But who had
killed him? He went over the man
and felt his wrist. "Damn!" Pete
exclaimed. The body was still
warml The murderer might still
be somewhere there in the room,
Pete thought suddenly. Impul-
sively he stood up. AS he did so,
the room was flooded with light.
Four men stood in the room. All
had guns pointed straight at him
If the dead man had gotten up,
Pete wouldn't have been any more
surprised than he was then
"Well, here we are again." Carl
son greeted him. Whats The lit
tie detective up to now?"
Pete recovered himself and walk
ed over to the men, seemingly IN
conscious of the fact that tlleir
guns were still pointed toward his
abdomen
well, Carlson" he drawled. at
looks like 1 have finally got the
goods on you"
you got me?" Carlson laughed.
Hell, Teller, does it look like you
got me?" Here he indicated the
guns of the men beside him.
Sure" Pete replied easily. "You
and your bad pups, too"
Hell, Carlson" Jones spat vi
ciously. "let's bump this bastard
off an git it over with"
"Wait!" Carlson commanded, GO
ing over to where the dead mar lay.
Look. it's Red. Somebody got him
with a knife!" He exclaimed.
This guy done It'll" a little dark
man said sharply out of the corner
of his mouth.
There was some muttering and
nasty looks cast at Pete. He saw
that he was in a tight place. From
the way Carlson was grinning at
him, he know Carlson knew some
thing about why the man had been
killed and by whom.
Il found that man here" Pete
said with attempted indifference.
Someone had already knitted him"
"Yeah?" Carlson queried, coming
closer to Pete. Nov, I guess you
are willing to talk sense. We all
know you killed Red, but we can
all forget it, too; that is, if you
forget what you know about us.
And the money still goes with the
bargain" he added.
What I you talking about,
Carlson? You can't frame that
killing on mel" Pete snapped.
why not? There are four of
us to say we saw you do it,"
We'll, if you do" Pete said saw
agely, you'll do it from behind the
bars, Carlson. / got the low-down
on you now, and you're through.
Do you get that? You're through
At a signal from Carlson. one
man grabbed Pete's gun and the
other two grabbed his arms. In a
few minutes he was securely tied.
What the hell are you trying to
do, Carlson?" Pete asked angrily.
You can't do anything to me and
get away with it. Hell, I work for
too big a company"
0iAuV AZ, W. jules SllttI0O
wickedly. hitting him in the mouth
with his fist.
And you," Pete went on, spit
ting out blood, I'm going to whip
that monkey head of yours down to
a frassle when I get loose"
Jones hit him again.
Let's give him the works, Carl
son." one of the men said darby.
I'll take a chance on it."
NO" Carlson answered. that
won't do. Wait!" He exclaimed
suddenly: 81 got it! Well shoot
him with Reds gun and claim that
he and Red killed each otherl"
rs that the best you can do?"
Pete sneered.
Jones hit him again, grinning
darby. Why is it, DO, 1 git SIGH a
helluva kick outa smashing you?'
he asked.
You're too dumb for anything
elsel" Pete flung at him.
He was rewarded by another blow
from Jones.
Hell, amt this DO COCK" he
grinned delightedly.
"Pad'c U11p oip,t on him the