The Washington times., 1938-02-16

Candless' room and headed fol
the stair. Cardowan behind him.
Half way up, a figure appeared
at the head of the stairs, woman
and started to descend. AS soor
as she vas out of sight, Cardowar
grabbed Two-Way's elbow with 6
grip # non.
THAT'S Shayne's daughter!'
pCardowau said huSkily. THE mine
manager. She knowns my face
He'll, we can't do it,"
For a 'ong moment, they starec
at each other, Two-Way swearing
bitterly under his breath. Their
he said hoarsely. She's got to be
kept out of the way until I get
McCandlAss out of town."
What if she's told McCandles'
already?''
Would he be asleep here il
she had9 Now go on. I'll go ur
to his room and spill 1t. You see
she's out of the way"
Cardowan descended the stairs
softly, while Two-Way hurried or
up. Kate was talking to the clerk
and her voice was pleading
But don't you see I have to see
him! It's terribly Important"
Miss. tell you again he was
shot today. He's lost blood, anc
he's weak. Amt his life more i'm
portant than your news?"
CHAPTER XVII
There was a pause, then Kate
said, Look here. If you were tc
lose a big fortune, vast fortune
! and getting it back depended or
the way you used every minute
every hour, wouldn't you wan
somebody to tell you?"
The clerk said nothing for 9
moment. then sighed, "All right
I'll go up and see if he's in any
condition to listen to you. YOU
wait here"
Cardowan descended the stairs
quietly, his hat pulled down low
on his forehead.
Kate was standing, her back
against the counter. When Cardo
wan came down, she glanced idly
at him, then away. And then hel
glance returned to him.
He swung toward her, palmine
his gun out at the same time, and
stopped. The gun was pointing al
her, cooked.
I've never shot woman yet,
he said thickly, flatly, quietly
but there's always a first time.
Kate, her m o u t h half open
looked into his face and shivered
His long jawline gave him wolf
ish appearance. and the thin
tight. and unsmiling lips warned
her of an iron determination.
She said, What is it you want2'
Come over here" Cardowan
said, backing away. She followed
him across the lobby, until they
were standing by a good sized rug
"Lie down on the edge of that
rug!" Cardowan ordered curtly
ROLLS KATE IN RUG
For a moment Kate hesitated
and then she obeyed.
Put your arms down at your
Sides"
She did. He knelt down by hel
and put the muzzle of his Colt at
her brow, and with the other hand
slipped out bandana.
open your mouth or I'll lei
this off," he said very quietly, with
no emphasis, so that its very lack
of any passion made her know it
for the truth.
He stuffed the handkerchief
into her mouth.
Don't be afraid" he said. II
won't hurt you if you don't make
a fuss"
He lifted the corner of the rug
over her and then proceeded to
roll her up in it. The first fold
pinioned her arms. Cardowsn
rolled her down the whole length
of it, picked the bulky burden Up.
holstered his gun, and walked to
the door with it over his shoulder,
outside, on the porch, he looked
around, saw no one, and descended
the steps.
He knitted in the space between
the hotel and the adjoining build.
ing and leaned the rug up against
the wall.
Can you hear me?" he asked.
"If you can, move"
There was a movement inside
the rug.
Then stand still. I'll be back
in five minutes"
He drew a deep breath, brushed
the dust off his shirt, and strolled
back up the steps into the lobby.
The clerk was standing there at
the foot of the stairs, and Car.
dowan nodded idly.
Where is she?" the clerk asked.
"Who?"
"A girl. Did she go out?"
II met gal crossing the street
just as came in" Cardowan said.
The clerk swore under his
breath, then looked keenly at Car
dowan.
Say" he said suddenly, "ain't
you the partner to that ranny that
bought six seats on the night
Stage?"
Cardowan nodded.
well, you damn near lost your
freight, mister" the clerk said.
and smiled.
Cardowan stood utterly still, his
breath held. He waited a second
before he Gould tr1lst his voica