The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-09-14
CALL F he
@WEST
By R g. MONTGOMERY
@ sos7 Ma seTAcI DC
CHAPTER ONE


attractive. They have the at.
mosphere of successful bust
ness. The corner offices over
looking T en- t h S treet are
equipped with mahogany fur.
niture, easy chairs and con.
venient ash trays.
A great glass-topped desk stands
almost in the center of the deeE
rug In spite of this atmosphere
on a Friday afternoon at ten min
utes past l, the air in Suite 216 wa'
surcharged with something almost
explosive.
Mr.. Ball from Blind River, eh?'
Asper Delo's face was purple with
anger. Mr.. Ball, you are a dirty
Irish snoopl" The owner and op-
orator of the Delo Timber Com.
pany sprang to his feet and moved
ponderously around his desk.
The target OF his wrath, lear
young man with freckled nose anc
wide, firm mouth, looked the bis
boss over with amused gray eyes, He
showed his Stetson back as though
TO allow lock of unruly, dark hail
a little more freedom.
1t was plain that he was a mar
more accustomed to the saddle thar
to the soft carpets of Suite ZIG.
Il never new a squarehead who
could keep his temper" Stan Bal
drawled, with mock gravity.
Asper Delo smacked the glass tor
of his desk with huge fist and ex-
ploded wrathfully. You came here
to insult mel" His words chokeo
him.
Il came here to tell you the
truth, and I am to get it out of my
system" Stan Ball grinned, show
ing a set of even, white teeth. With
an easy swing of the booted leg, he
seated himself upon the wide win
dow ledge overlooking Tenth street
ASper Delos bony jaws worked
until his blue eyes bulged, but nc
words came.
You have committed several MUIR
ders, and you are a prime thief
Stan Ball made the statement cas-
lily. AS he spoke, his eyes wan
dered down into the crowded street
He gazed thoughtfully at the tor
of the hurrying cars while the tim
Der king spluttered and strove tc
gain control of his voice.
A SHINY limousine pulled up at
L n the curb below. STAINS firm
mouth twisted into a sheer as he
watched a liveried driver step out
of the car and walk across the
street with two very attentive COM
psnions.
Old Asper Delo, two-fisted lum-
Der man, had gone swanky with a
town car and a uniformed driver.
The young mans thoughts were
interrupted rudely. You'll eat
those words!" Asper Delo's nose was
thrust almost into Stan Balls face
The lanky cowboy slid from the
window ledge and his high-heeleo
boots clicked on the polished floor
beside the rug. With a short laugh
he reused himself and faced ASpeI
Delo. The amused light left his
ewes and they glinted as he showed
the timber king away with a lean
arm.
Maybe you never shot man In
the back yourself, but your straw
boss up at Three Rivers has hired
it done. Not once, but three timeS!'
Stan Balls jaw thrust out aggres-
sively. You own that outfit and
you're responsible.
He leaned toward Asper Delo and
his eyes were hard.
I'm going up there to get re-
port of your workings, an honest
report-get that?" Stan pushed his
hat back little farther. Il came UP
here to tell you so, so that you
could call your man, Swergln, and
have him hire a breed to shoot me
In the back"
ASper Delo was past words, but
he was not past action. In the days
when he had run his own crews ne
had ruled with his fists. Now his
viking blood boiled within him
With rasping roar, he swung a
fist at Stan Balls chin.
That irritating young man side
stepped with lightning smoothneSS,
Without seeming effort, he slid in
nearer and in a second ASper Delo
was neatly tied with his own big
arms holding themselves. Stan
Ball showed him back against the
desk and his wicked grin returned
You will fight, won't you? But
you haven't the sand to do your
own killing" There was taunt-
ing edge to the words.
Breathing heavily, Asper Delo
collected himself. He was not licked
by any means, but he realized that
ne was no match for the lean
youngster who faced him. He shook
his fist impotently and retreated
around his desk.
You'll never set foot on the
Three Rivers cuttings, you lying
whelp! We have chat tract in
spected and the timber checked by
a government man and we don't
allow fools meddling with our bust
ness" Asper gripped the top of his
desk and his words jerked from be-
tween his teeth.
Yes? Inspected and reported?
Well, Mr., Delo, we are getting our
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