Evening star., 1936-09-08
INSTALLMENT xxx.

~ EEDS McCUNE staggered to
the nearest wall and leaned
weakly against it, pulling
- mechanically at his shirt col
lar. He took gulps of air into his tor
tured lungs. conscious of feeling ex-
cessively sick at his stomach. AS his
vision cleared, he discovered that Rev.
Mr.. Beckham was in the room. He
was standing with his back to that
locked door.
Where the devil had he come from!
Something of the sort must have
occurred to Sloan Elledge.
How did you get in here?" he
rasped, mechanically.
You made it possible by being
thoughtful enough to remove the key, !"
the little minister explained, mildly.
''It almost took me too long, as it was.
Wait :"
Deeds saw his hand flick under the
lapel of the linen coat he wore. When
1t came out, a snub-nosed automatic
was pointed steadily at Sloan Elledge.
Now, then, DR.. Plohene .. know
you'll be reasonable. AS you just re-
minded McCune, this is a house of
mourning. If you will be good enough
to stand over there beside the window
and keep those active hands of yours
where I can see them . you, too,
John. That's better. Are you all right
now, McCune?"
II I guess So" Deeds stam-
mered. His eyes were riveted on the
gun.
I'm so sorry it happened as it did.
seem to have been just about one
jump behind all day" Beckham spol-
ogiZed. II see bottle over there on
the dresser a very fair brand, too.
I'm sure the boys won't mind if you
give yourself a bracer. Then, per-
haps. you can give me little help"
Who are you?" Sloan grated in a
low voice. His eyes were Sits under
his heavy broVs.
"Oh, I've several aliases like your
self" Beckham returned. I'm from
the Narcotics Bureau. I'll show you
my credentials later" He dropped
one hand into the side pocket of his
coat. When it emerged it held two
pairs of handouts. "All right. Nc
Cune If you feel up to it. The boys
will help you by holding their hands
out . and together. They know
how. And no funny moves!" he added
in crisp warning.
When the two doctors were man.
scled to Beckham's satisfaction, he
suggested that they might sit on the
bed if they cared to.
I'll get my first assistant to work
now" he smiled. Then we can take
it easy" He opened the door trifie
and called softly, Middleton, my
son. Just moment, will you?"
Young Beckham appeared, eyes and
teeth protruding with excitement.
please step down to the phone
very quietly" his father ordered, "and
call the Casino it's three-three.
Say to whoever answers that you
want to speak to Mr. Larrimore. who
is waiting there. Tell Mr.. Larry I'm
ready for him. All clear?"
Yes, sir!"
"Oh, yes Middleton. Wait for
the car at the road Tell Mr.. Larry
that we had sad accident here this
morning if he hasn't heard Mr..
CASTOR. of course. If the boys could
get up here to this room without max
very nice. You can fix that?"
Sure, Dad!"
The boy closed the door and sped
softly on his errand.
II think we won't go into any de-
tails here" Beckham said, shortly.
'These two fellows know what it's all
about and I'll wise you a little after
they're gone, McCune." Layland Cot
tage's little minister smiled, wryly.
Gosh. but it's going to seem good to
be myself again"
II want to thank you, Beckham,"
said Deeds, solemnly. THAT man
Plohene certainly has nasty pair of
hands"
For some reason, he did not want
70 meet Sloan's eyes even though
he knew he was safe now. Funny, but
1t was hard not to feel little sorry
for the fat one. He looked so sur
prised and reproachful. And the min
lister was Government man! From
the Narcotics Bureau. He could guess
some of the answers now about the
Elledges or whoever they were.
Il say, McCune," the Federal man
suggested, suddenly, why don't you
go over to your place and stretch out
. while? You look seedy. I'll enter
u