The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-19
CHAPTER XII

CHAPTEK MI
Gee Ma had been sent TO the
nearest town, which was the one
where Marshal Fang has establish-
ed his headquarters. He was TO re-
,connoiter and, II possible, to secure
aid. He had gone In the automobile
which he planned to hide on the
outskirts.
The chances for Rex Mundy and
Jean Strebor to break through to
Michael 6trebor's lines without adj
ditional information were slim at
the best. Besides, there were ru-
mors that Streb0r had smashed
Fang's siege and was on the move.
Where he was moving was one OF
the things that Gee Ma hoped TO
learn.
Jean and Rex were hiding. In the
meantime, In the remains Of an old
Chinese dwelling. The ancient
house was situated by itself on the
side Of hill, for some reason. 1t
did not appear TO have been dis
turbed for years. Mundy wondered
If curious Oriental superstitions
could account for this abandon
ment.
Mundy was trying to make half
decent shelter In case they should
be forced to spend the night in this
place. He glared at Jean Strebor,
who stood authoritatively nearby.
She was scrutinizing his efforts with
an expression that may have har-
monized with her somehow aristo-
cratic loneliness but which, at the
same time, was extremely irritating
to him at the moment.
Mundy still had a throbbing
headache as the result Of being
knocked unconscious by the butt
Of gun. The dust of the road had
irritated his eyes and nostrils. His
throat was dry and his temper rap
idly shortening.
do nothingl Shut up and sit
down"
Perhaps you won't talk SO ar
rogantly when Gee Ma comes back
with help" she hared. Perhaps
then you won't forget that you gave
me your parole E"
"Yeah, and perhaps Gee Ma won't
come back. That fellow hasn't any
gpunk. The way. he went to pieces
when the car almost smashed into
that boulder proves that"
HE has enough" she said, her
face whitening.
IF any of Fang's cut-throats get
hold of him, they shouldn't find 1t
too hard to get whatever informa-
ton they're looking for"
mot really?" she Knocked.
Nerves
lie could see the bulge Of her
fingers In a pocket of her long
camel hair coat, tensely clutching
the revolver she had taken from
him back at the mining camp and
which was now the only means OF
defense they had. he realized her
nerves were on edge, but SO were
his.
"Yeah, really" Mundy growled.
And cut out that tone of voice
with me. You've nothing against
me. I've done everything I can
for you"
Big, strong man." she murmured,
sarcastically. She eyed his crisp,
dark hair, his bone-deep tan. the
way his hard, vigorous legs were
braced apart. "All you do Is talk"
Il can do more than talk" Mundy
said.
Don't come any closer. I have
your parole"
'.rhis isn't my parolep
He clutched her 1.-THE body to his
and kissed her lips. He thought she
was going TO struggle. Instead, she
lay coldly In his arms while he
pressed his mouth against hers as
hard as he could. He sensed the
savage hope that he was hurting
her. Then he let her go.
Nov blame me for that! Blame
me for everythingl Go on"
Jean Strebor did not move. The
color had entirely gone from her
face. Her mouth famed In con-
trast. Her hand moved deliberately,
and he saw the muZzle OF the re-
volver confronting him.
put Up Your Hands,"
Put up your handsi" she ordered,
In a chill, even voice. She was
backing away so that no sudden
move of his could disarm her.
go ahead and shoot" Mundy
half laughed. II hope Fang gets
you afterward. He will, to, after
he's finished with that scrape with
that father Of yours. Been Listening
TO the firing in the distance? It's
dying down"
Put up your hands"
Get this" Mundy said, slowly
still not moving. when I gave you
my parole / told you 1t wasn't going
to last forever Well, I take 1t back
now, while you're pointing a gun at
me. Do what you want TO do"
He took step toward her; then
another.
I've put UP my hands the last
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