Evening star., 1932-03-13

toward the red roofs of the distant town.
~ A RE you prepared to kill man?"
The question wiped the scowl off Bill
Flint's face. His blue eyes narrowed as he set
down his coffee cup with a clatter. And he
shot look of suspicion at the two natives,
dapper in white drill and panamas who had
stopped him.
They had met Bill on the beach. The taller
of the two was slender chap with long scar
that carved crescent moon across the coppery
dusk of his countenance. He leered at Bill over
the shoulder OF his companion. mountain
Gus man. this one Bills fist closed stealthily
as he reflected on the pleasure of buryng it in
the strangers paunch
The thin fellow stared at Bill contemptuously
Then he said to the obese man, You'll only
waste your time on this one He's just another
of those drunken Americans.
The fat man giggled as he answered: Why
the hombre seems sober enough"
The other snorted. Give him peso and
you'd soon see"
The Estle eyes did not leave Bills face as
His Fatness said, "I believe you are wrong,
Juan. Anyway, the fellows no coward He
fight. We saw that" And to Bill he
addressed himself sharply: Listen. fellowl I
want a little talk with you. There's a cafe
yonder. I'll buy you coffee"
At the cafe, His Corpuency ordered. Cafe
solo for three, chico!"
The drink was thick strong and hot. Bill
slipped it gratefully For the moment he forgot
his hunger. And meanwhile across the iron
table the two natives appraised him openly:
his lean strength, his gouged cheek, his sorry
clothes.
Suddenly the fat man shot question at Bill,
Gould you money?
"Could-I-use-money?" Bill repeated slowly,
his blue eyes wide with wonder Don't kid mel"
Whereupon the speaker showed a handful
of silver the table. Take iti 1t is yours.
There is much, much more where that came
from"
Bill was picking up the coin when Scar Face
burst forth with a snarl You have a strong
stomach, chief. Me, I do not like to sit a.
the same table with carrion. This fellow is
nothing but buzZardS meat
The huge one smiled and held up hand like
a pudding. BE patient. Juan. We will play
a little trick on the buzzards We will cheat
them a meal. And will perform a little
magic. Yes 1 will show you how to make
fine gentleman out of jailbird." And the fat
gentleman placed a bank note on the table. He
shook pudgy finger at Bill Now, fellow, let
me see you pick up this money With air,
you comprehend. Don't pounce it. Negli-
gently, now, as if you were doing me favor
Tenga cuidado-take care-or / shall be forced
to take 1t from you"
needless of all else. He hardly heard what
passed between the two natives But gradually
he began TO sense their taunts. Whats all
this about?" Bill growled. "An this money
you aren't crowding on me for nothing. What
do you mean kill a man? What do you
want?"
At Bills outburst the speaker leaned closer.
and whispered, You are the same as dead
man now. You are nothing. But you are
coming to life. You will be muy recovery
rich. For you are going to assassinate our
President
So that the play! And he was to act the
murderer, for hire! Because he down and
out-a bum-they thought he'd do anything
for money. Bill suddenly saw red He whipped
back his hand and flung the fstful of coins into
that evil face, which paled into a of dirty
dough before Bills eyes.
The big shrank back in his seat and
beloved "Pedro"
Bill hung right hook on the fat mans ear
Something like landslide followed The blow
lifted the man mountain from his chair and
dropped him the floor in heap of white
drill as big as a weeks wash.
Bill caught up his own chair and spun around
to attend to Scar Face. But that worthy had
ducked out of sight under a table. Mystified
Bill stood with the chair raised above his head
staring. The next moment cold, smooth voice
said behind him. One move, senor-"
Bill knew what that meant. In the doorway
the unseen Pedro was ready, and waiting TO
drill him.
You may drop the chair. But keep your
hands up!"
Bill obeyed. At the same time he the dark
head of Scar Face, sleek a wet muskrat, appear
above tables edge And from the floor the
hudde of white became articulate
You were slow, Pedro said the fat man in
thick voice Il will overlook it, this once. And
now that you are awake, take this treasure
away to our strong box and keep him there
alone Guard him well. And will see whether
he changes his mind. Maybe can change it
for him Who knows?"