Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1934-06-29
CHAPTER VII


He had slept somehow through most
of the daylight hours, worn out ana
nerve exhausted. Now he felt strength
renewing in him. He lay quietly sur
veving his surroundings. He was IN
small, square chamber at the top
of the house which plainly had been
one of the servants rooms. There
was no window in it, only skylight
+o the roof. and there were narrow
hars over that. A cheap bureau, a
table. a chair or so and the bed were
IFS only furnishings. At the table
sat the gunman Tracy, who had re-
nlaced Gabriel while he slept. He
was reading a pink newspaper, but at
Niles first move his glance shl1ted
instantly to him.
awake. huh?" he gunted It's
about time" He tapped his pocket
"Don't start nothing, y.
There was no reply and the gang
ster went back to his reading. Niles
was still studying the layout OF the
room. Those bars overhead-were
thew as narrow as they looked and
as loosely set in their wooden frame?
Rr1t he would never have a chance to
try and reach them for even the most
desperate effort while man with
gun sat guarding him. He remained
ouiet on the bed, thinking. Present
Nv he heard a sound from near at mana
on the other side of the wall. Some
one had moved in the next room. 1t
was the girl. He caught her light
footsteps and then there was silence
Niles Jaw hardened. He could do
nothing He had failed IN
his adventure and dragged the girl
down with him into the depths OF
peril.
81 might be able to use that ace
in some way, if / had it," he told
himself. "But, good God, there's no
telling where it is now! Thrown
away in the street in my hat"
A light click sounded at the door
and it began to open. Gimpy sided
through, his ratlike face sour. It's
nv turn to play screw" he flung at
the other gangster. II amt gonna
enjoy it much either. Leave me yer
paper" He sat down in the nearest
chair, fitting it against the wall and
favored Niles with a bored glance.
Every muscle in Niles had gone taut.
The thing was incredible and yet
there it was before his eyes.
On Gimpy's head was the hat that
hid the ace of spades = the light
Bangkok straw.
what yer lookin' at?" inquired
Gimpy.
Nothing" said Niles, quickly.
Above all he must not arouse the
mans suspicious. "Ihadn't expect
ed to see you up here"
1--WE all gotta to take our turns, y
said Gimpy. But it amt gonna be
for so long now" He removed the
hat from his head and twirled it care
lessly on his finger. "Whaddya think
O. my new lid?" he remarked. 1t
didn't cost me cent"
Niles made an effort to keep his
voice casual. "How did you get it,
them"
Il seen that big stiff, Benton, throw
it down basement last night, when
was comm back here. There amt
nothin' | let get by me. So l picked
it up and it's an o. K. piece O. straw.
Kinda classy on me, amt ?" He
twirled the hat again and barred his
discolored teeth in a grin. Gimpy,
the born sneak-thief, would take any
thing that was lying around loose.
What more natural than that he
should retrieve a brand-new hat that
he had seen his fellow-gangster throw
away? Niles repressed shudder as
Gimpy ceased to swing the Bangkok
and began to rub his fingers over the
band. If those trained digits felt the
ace of spades beneath the cloth the
game would be up.
Better not let Benton see you with
it," he shot out. He'll take it away
from you."
The reaction was immediate. Gimpy
snarled and slapped the hat on his
head, yeah? Not that punk, l don't
think. You heard him try to rib me
last night. He left me cold up tC
yer flat. This is my own lid now and
1 amt gonna let him lamp it. I left
it upstairs when l come in last night
Findn's is keepin's with me-"
He fumbled in his pocket anc
brought out crumpled package into