The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-07-13

sides, I want that gun and so do you. Finders keepers"
 Lets try to find him together, " suggested Ashwood grimly. We both owe that much to the oth- CTS. So far as the guns concerned, it would do you no good if you did find it. If I even suspect you have it, I'll have you searched, hide and hair, every twenty min utes, day and night until you leave this island with my permission. But if we don't find the killer, there's likely to be more hell let loose on this island than I had anticipated, even in my rosiest dreams"
 You should have thought of that" the other reproved him gen. tly. before you brought them all down in this heat, five men and one girl. You remind me of the kid who didn't know it was load ed"
 Do you think I care one single damn about those two who have had their throats cut?" demanded the cripple scornfully. Not snap of my fingers. But I will not have my plans ruined. Do you understand"
 Stevens raised his glass and slipped slowly, contemplatively. Ash wood refilled his own tumbler and watched she old man with moody eyes. At last, tired of the silence, he shrugged and pushed himself out of his chair
 Steve, it's mighty refreshing once in while, to see man who sticks to his ideals" He took a | turn or two across the room, his extension sole giving forth a hol- l low sound as he walked. But I'm certainly afraid that I'm going to have to kill you before this affair | is over"
 Now, don't go getting yourself all upset about that" advised the little man placidly. Fact is, I been shot at so many times I've sort of come to the conclusion that when I die it'll be with my best nightie on and hot water bottle at my feet"
 He leaned over and selected a cigar from the box on the table He broke it and put half of it in his mouth. His jaws moved vio- lently for a moment. Then a bulge appeared under his left cheek.
 You know, L1mpy,' he said with isome difficulty as he settled back in the deep chair, If it wasn't for couple of little wrinkles that run the wrong way in your brain you'd be a right nice Teller te know. What happened, did some body drop you on your head wher you were a baby?"
 1 We're all crooks in a greater or xlesser degree, Steve" replied Ashwood. "The only reason yol think I am just little crazy i! that I use my head and select crimes that appeal to me instead of those that would bore me. Why are a few spectacular, intelligent crimes more dreadful than man!
 small, dreary ones?"
 He rose and hobbled restlessll
 back and forth across the room.
 "Is it because I break laws tha
 you ask me if I'm a little crazy
 or is it because I don't break thos'
 particular laws that are disre
 garded by every body? In a gen
 erally lawless society, I breal
 laws. Right-o! But I do so in
 telligently, observing the same pri
 vilege of picking the laws I wisl to disregard as do those who breal
 the laws of the Constitution O : traffic laws, or what not" Stevens sighed pensively. "If I was a judge, Limpy, be
 you could talk me into giving vol , room and bath at the funn house instead of a chair in tn death house. It's right comfortin' l to know that you aren't the kin'
 of a feller who'd shoot me in tn back when I'm not looking. An ] for that very reason I'm going t , send you a swell bunch of flow CTS to your funeral. If I'm no
 retired and in California by tha ] time, Il come and walk in you | procession"
 Their eyes met squarely and the
 both grinned. On opposite side : of society-s fence, these two, ye
 each knew and respected the oth . CTS measure as a man. "One more drink, Steve" sug s gested the cripple. Then to bet :. have much to do tomorrow" Fair enough" smiled the eide 2 man. "No water in mine" I Soon after breakfast, Ashwood great amphibian nosed out of ii t waterside hangar, shook the entir . island with the full-throated ros