The Washington times., 1934-11-17
= By DashieII Hammett


back. He had news.
There's q couple Of mugs hans.
ing around the corner that don't
much like"
Bulls orr" Flora asked.
"Or," he said.
Flora began to curse Red and
Nancy again. But she had pretty
we'll played that line out already.
She turned to me.
What the hell did you bring
them here for?" she demanded.
Leaving q mile-wide trail behind
you! Why didn't you let the loony
bozo lie where he got his doss?"
IT brought him here for my
hundred and fifty grand. Slip it
to me and I'll be on my way.
You don't owe me anything else.
don't owe you anything. Give
me my rhino instead Of lip and
I'll pull my freight"
Like hell you will" said Pogy.
The woman looked at me under
lowered browS and drank her
coffee.
CHAPTER N
Fifteen minutes later the shabby
little old man came running into
the kitchen, saying he had heard
feet on the hoof. His faded brown
eyes were dull a. an ox'S with
fright, and his Wthered lips
writned under his extreme excite
ment.
Flora profanely called him Q
thiS-and-that kind OF old ons-
thing-and-another and chased him
upstairs again. She got UP from
the table and pulled the green
kimono tight around her big body.
You're here" she told me, "and
you'll put in with US. There's no
other way. Got q rod?"
I admitted had q gun but
shook my head at the rest Of 1t.
This 10 not my wake-yet," I
said. It'll take one hundred ana
fifty thousand berries, spot cash,
paid in the hand, to buy Percy
in on it,"
1 wanted to know If the loot
was on the premises.
Nancy Regan's fearful voice
came from the stairs:
mo, no. darling! Please, please,
60 back to bed! You'll kill your
self. Reddy, dear!"
Red O'Leary strode into the
kitchen. He was naked except for
a pair Of gray pants and his
bandage. His eyes were feveriSh
and happy. His dry lips were
stretched in grin. He had q gun
in his left hand. His right arm
hung useless. Behind him trotted
Nancy. She stopped pleading and
shrank behind him when she saw
Big Flora.
Ring, the gong, and let's CO."
the half-naked red-head laughed.
Vance Is in our street."
Flora went over to him, put her
fingers on his wrist, held them
there a couple Of seconds, and
nodded:
you crazy Son-of-a-gun," S h Q
said in a tone that was more like
maternal pride than anything
else. you're good for fight right
now. And a damned good thing,
too. because you're going to get
it,"
Red laughed triumphant
laugh that boaSted Of his tough.
nesS-then his eyes turned to me.
Laughter went out Of them and O
puzzled look drew them marrow.
Hello" he said. II dreamed
about you, but I can't remember
what it was. It waS-Wait, I'll get
it in a minute. It was-By God! I
dreamed it was you that plugged
me"
Flora smiled at me, the ftrUt
time had seen her smile, and she
spoke quickly:
Take him, Pogy!"
I twisted obliquely out Of my
chair.
Pogy's fist took me in the tenn
pie. Staggering across the room,
struggling to keep my feet. /
thought Of the bruise on the dead
Motsa Kids temple.
POgy'S Knife
Pogy was on me when the wan
bumped me upright.
put a fiSt-spat!-in his flat
nose. Blood squirted but his hairy
powS gripped me. I tucked my
chin in, ground the top Of my
head into his face. The scent Big
Flora used came strong to me. Her
silk clothes brushed against me.
With both hands full Of my hair
she pulled my head back, stretch
ing my neck for Pogy. He took
hold Of it with his paws. I quit. He
didn't throttle me any more than
was necessary, but it was bad
enough.
Flora frisked me for gun and
blackjack.
".3S special" she named the cali
Der of the gun. II dug . SO Spo-
cial bullet out Of you, Red" The
words came family to me through
the roaring in my ears.
The little old mans voice WaO
chattering in the kitchen. I
couldn't make out anything he
said. Pogy'S hands went away
from me. put my own hands to
my throat. It was lell not to have
any pressure at all there. The