The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1933-02-16
JIM the
BY
Peter B. KyNE
copyright by Peter B. Kyne.
wNU Service.
CHAPTER v-continued

..oro In that tone of voice, Ro-
harta knew from experience that
obadience was incumbent upon her.
Her ewes filed with tears; in a trem-
Mons voice she begged to be eX-
cused and withdrew.
crooked Bills wild eyebrows
uont ND as the girl left the room.
msbe's as big crook as l am,' he
declared proudly. "She isn't at ali
distressed. She's just pulling the
oId stuff-not on me this time, but
nm YOU. my boy. She expects yo1l
to follow her out and comfort her.
no not disappoint her. Forward -
"Are you quite certain she
wouldn't prefer to be left alone
Mr. Latham? She's all upset"
"Listen to me, son. know my
onions. The girls play-actlng,
Yam0se!"
Glenn Hackett 'vamosed." With
In FIVE minutes he returned with
Roberta on his arm.
"Hum I" Crooked Bill reHecCed.
sand she spent at least minute
making up her face! Four min
utes to put over her loving plot
AGAINST me. The little crook" He
beamed upon her. "I'm so sorry
I spoke GROSSLY to my little girl"
he announced with hypocritical
junction..
Bobby kissed him fondly and
gave him little hug.
Crooked Bill was not one to gum
mn his own finely laid plans, and
presently, with a full realization
of the truth of the old adage that
three is a crowd. he withdrew to
his room, leaving Glenn Hackett to
make what progress he could with
the rebellions Roberta.
But Crooked Bill did not retire.
He smoked until ten o'clock, at
which hour he knew Glenn Hack.
EFT, creature of habit, would de-
part for the city. So Crooked Bill
went down the back stairs, crossed
the lawn and waited for Hackett
at the entrance to Hillcrest. did
1t work." he demanded.
Overtime" Hackett responded.
''Was she nice to you after ]
left?"
"Well-er-ah-PlatOnic."
"Aggh!'' Crooked Bill growled
deep in his throat, like an aged
tiger. "Go home, you jellyfish.
You'd be a bachelor in the South
Sea islands-and on an island
where they practice polyandry
Thoroughly disguised he returned
to the house. He had q PRESENT..
ment that Fate was. in a manner
of speaking, stacking the cards
against him.
Next morning Crooked Bill caught
an early train to the city, explain.
ing that the sooner he swept up
the fragments of his scattered for.
tunes the better for all concerned
Roberta motored in a little later
and went at once to Glenn Hack
ett's office, where he prepared and
she signed formal assignment OF
all of her right. title and interest
in and to her Uncle Toms estate
to Hackett, for and in consi1era.
tion of certain moneys to be adj.
vanced to her by Hackett.
Now. then. Roberta" Hackett
said when the document was signed
you understand that this is q
business deal from first to last.
Not a speck of sentiment in it SO
far as am concerned. While you
nave given me security for the
FUNDS ! am to advance. it may be
that | will be called upon to ad
vance sum in excess of the total
value of your Uncle Toms estate.
Consequently. it is of the utmost
Importance that the estate should
De administered wisely and con.
served. have looked up your law
yer at Los Algodones, Don Pru.
dencio AlViso. and he appears ia
nave an excellent record FOR probity
Dur is a poor business man. If +"
He assures me Don Jaime Mi,
guei iiiguenes is most reliable and
~ doing all that anybody can do
70 conserve the estate" Roberta
nastened to assure Hackett.
Il Know. But the thought occurs
" me: Why Is Don Jaime Miguel
mlsuenes taking all this trouble:
"aat do you mean to him? He is
catfieman. so why should he
Dother with your sheen? NV dear
noooy, | am highly suspicious of
.na' leilow. AS told you before
- Is impossible for me to 90 to
eAas to look after Your affairs
boobg. Your unfortunate uncle
are not leave New York at this
.u, either. His creditors might
th '''A ne was endeavoring to flee
@ country. Consequently. | think
" Is of the utmost importance tina,
you 10 tn Los Algodones immedf.
a eS and investigate everything
thoroughly
nut. Glenn. | don't know q thing
.a ou. business, and I'm afraid it's