The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-11-30

| 1eWelST 10 you lnlnk III ndu any
thing could turn into money I'd be
hangin' round here? Say, she's crazy"
Was the man acting afnazement, or
hadn't he taken the emerald?
Crazy or not, you'll come along
with us. Get going" Gerard gave
the revolver a suggestive hitch. "Fol-
low him. Galloway. Keep your hands
up, both of you. Prue. come on"
She nodded. Len Galloway looked
as If he were burning up, his face had
purplish tinge. He spoke between
clenched teeth.
I'll get going all right. But watch
out, Gerard. I'm not through with you.
Miss Schuyler's all for you, isn't she?
Have you told her that you've been
paying Milly Gooch's bills? Have you
Hi-there-you!"
He lunged for the man In front
Caught him about the waist. Fun
bling for holds. the two strained and
painted. The fugitive was smaller, but
fear of return to prison gave him
superhuman strength. He twisted and
twined about Calloway's legs until both
went down with crash. With the
agility of cat and the cry of an en-
ragged animal. the victor was on his
feet, whirled, and grabbed the gun
from Gerard's hand. Crouching, he
backed toward the fireplace. His eyes
were flames. He aimed the revolver
steadily.
BEAT it, you two guys-and beat 1t
quick! I'll keep the pearls-and the
girl"
Prudence retreated to the wood pile.
She had thought her mind geared to
| surprises, but this quick turn stopped
| her heart. She couldn't back away
further; the wood pile was like wall
behind her. Hadn't David said that
| nine times out of ten when one was
backed against an insurmountable
wall, a gate would open behind If you
put up the fight of your life? Perhaps
there was gate in this wall-perhaps
A gate! Cautiously, breathlessly, she
CROPPED behind her.
The convict's clawlike fingers tight
ened on the revolver. He scowled hid
eously at Gerard. Hey, you! Cut out
that Gig. stuff! Beat 1t, or I'll fire
| and"
With all her force Prudence brought
the dull side Of the ak down on his
arm. His sentence shattered into pro.
| family. His gun clattered to the floor.
Gerard seized it, thrust 1t against his
back as he whirled on Prue
| Hey! Cut that out! p
"Beat it, or I'll fire!" Gerard's words
If not his voice, were perfect imita-
ton as he prodded the cursing, sham
bling man toward the door.
Galloway Numbered You're not let
ting him get away, Rod? Don't you
know he's the escaped prisoner they're
huntingT
HE won't make his getaway with
you at his heels. It's your job to de.
| liver him to the sheriff after you've
frisked Miss Schuyler's pearls off him.
Get busy, Len"
How could Rodney be so cool, so
smiling, Prudence wondered frantically.
HE don't need get busy. Here they
are" The captive pulled the lovely.
lustrous string from under his ragged,
dirty shirt. Prudence snatched 1t from
the floor and clutched it tight against
her breast.
"Come across with those jewels ~
Gerard poked reminder.
''Lissen, don't get fresh with the
gat. I've coughed up the pearls, amt
| Ian l don't know nothin' about no
| jewels"
| "Let him go! Let him go! don't
care about the jewels. Please let him
CO." The break in Prue's voice mad.
dened her.
The muscles of Gerard's jaw tight
ened.
"On your wayI" He held out the
revolver. "Take 1t, Len. Don't let this
bird stop till you have him safe behind
bars"
Galloway gripped the gun. He said
through clenched teeth:
You're taking chances. How do
you know won't shoot your"
Rodney Gerard regarded him through
narrowed lids and smiled.
Because you're such just man,
Len. Drop that ak, Prue. you won't
need it again"
"Get goingw Calloway's fury was
partially expended in the jab he gave
the man at the other end of the re-
| volver.
The door swung on its hinges
Through the opening came the crack
ling of twigs under stumbling. heavy
feet, rough voices. The sounds dwin-
died into forest silence.
rs 1t s-safe to go now" With nm
steady fingers Prue tried to clasp the
pearls about her throat.
''In just a minute. Let me do that.
Bend your head. Gorgeous"
The husk In Gerard's voice, his fin
gers against the back of her neck set
Prue shivering again.
whats the matter?" He looked
down at her skirt. your clothes are