The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1937-09-24

again to night. I'll see you tomorrow


again to night. I'll see you tomorrow -
Long afterward Gregory managed to
get to sleep. He was still tired when
moved around the little shop, he
stopped to handle the watch. It fas-
cinated him.
Early in the afternoon Mcguire came
in, bubbling with news.
| II told you So" he announced. 1T
was one of the Ciciliano girls and she S
been going around with an oily-headed
zap that's no doubt the boy you ran
out last night. Now--1'n go right down
charge him with breaking and enter
ing and attempted larceny and we'll
put him where he'll have time to think
things over before he does a job for
Machnado again. You come down with
me and swear out a warrant and we'll
get going
II don't want to-" said Gregory. The
four words had all the chilling effect
of pail of cold water on the patrol
mans enthusiasm.
IT don't want to-" the little. store
keeper repeated.
What do you mean you don't want
wonder Machnado and his gang get
away with murder with people like you
to deal with"
1--WE got an idea," said Gregory. "Just
you write down the name and address
for me-" F.
1--WE half a mind to go down and pull
| him in just so as to see of you've nerve
enough TO- tell the sergeant you won't
prosecute"
1T would only make more work for
you. What difference does it make
whether you arrest him now or wait
until tonight when he's more likely to
be home. If my scheme doesn't work
you're welcome to do what you want
with him.
Reluctantly Mcguire scraWled out a
card, and after he had stalked out in
high disgust Gregory went to work.
First, he rescued the battered cab.
bage that had done him such good
service. He stripped off the torn and
fresh and green. Then he hunted
around until he found a cardboard
box that was snug fit. But before
he packed the cabbage in, he gouged
out little hole, and after some fuss
ing with tissue paper, Wadded the
watch into it and stuffed the ticking
cabbage into the box.
Instead of string, Gregory used fine
wire to tie the parcel, crossing and
all he tied wide green ribbon from
his stock, slightly soiled, and to it he
attached a neat card bearing the ad-
dress Mcguire had given him.
Gregory surveyed his completed work
with pride before he called in neigh
boris boy to deliver it.
"Thatll stir things up Bit he told
himself as boy and cabbage left the
shop.
Exactly % minutes later the riot
squad came tearing down the street,
sirens shrieking. Heads popped out Of
windows all along the line and white
aproned storekeepers and clerks BIOS
somed in doorways as If at a prear-
ranged signal.
Gregory grew impatient, a state of
mind unusual for him as the minutes
passed. He fused about his store,
frequent intervals.
He watched the squad cars come
back without benefit of sirens, and by
the time the pedestrian Mcguire ar
rived the little storekeeper was worked
up to such g state he could have Rugged
the big policeman.
What happened?" he demanded be-
lore MaguHe COu1Q get through Cne
door. What did they do?"
'"They did plenty!" doomed Mcguire,
and If you get yourself all shot through
with holes and blown into little pieces
so they have to pick you up in a
basket 1t will be your own fault and
nobody else's. Remember what I'm
telling you, although it's precious little
good it'll be doing you"
would you mind being so kind as
to tell me what happened?"
would mind? II it wasn't for me
thinking what was likely to happen to
you I would have laughed until I
cried. You can't kid Machnado and
his gang and get away with it and you
ought to be old enough by now to know
LISTEN" said Gregory decisively,
appreciate how much you worry
about me and all that but for my sake
please tell me just what happened when
they got my package"
well, began Maguire "as near as
can figure it out the young fellow
that broke in on you was sort Of upset
ABOUT 1t. talked with a man that
nves down there and he said he saw
nm come running out Of his house
WITH box held in front of him like
it was snakes.
He travelled in high until he came
20 the open lot in back of the old
wire shop and there he heaved the
nox over the fence as far as he could
throw 1t.
Somebody must have called Mach
nado. for pretty quick the big boy