Evening star., 1940-05-14
lRAIlS ENDF;eI ! !
y WLLlAA NsLkooRANE >2s|
) 4 8l113

Gandara letters, II that's what you
mean" he answered.
"Open that safe"
Jud Chokes Lawyer.
The attorney opened 1t. The fat
man went through the papers In.
side, scattering them on the fool
after he had examined each. HI
rified the desk. :
If it's here and you're lying to us
I'll skin you alive" the big mar
promised viciously.
II haven't got the letter."
We know better. Red silcott lef1
It here"
He took 1t away again. Thi,
afternoon"
A hairy hand reached out ant
caught Stratton by the throat. Sin.
ewy fingers closed on the flesh. "St
you're gonna get funny with me
eh?"
The face Of the lawyer grew black
and his eyes CLASSY.
Hey. Jud, cut that out!" the fat
man warned. You'll strangle the
guy before We get what we want"
Prentiss flung his victim into q
chair. The lawyer coughed and
sputtered. Slowly he recovered
enough to gasp out = word or two.
Don't! P-please don't do that
Come clean then" The man tow
ering over him cursed the choking
man angrily. Damn quick, too. o.
you'll taste the quirt."
Again the plump man intervened
I'VE don't want to raise q row here
Jud," he warned his companion. 81
don't reckon this bird has got the
letter."
He knows where it is. Open yore
trap. fellow. Where's that letter.
"S-Silcott took It,"
Prentiss Finally Convinced.
what did he say he was eoinp
to do with it?"
He wouldn't tell me. Said If
didn't know couldn't tell"
1OuIe ylng 10 us.
TITS the truth. He said il yov
asked for 1t to refer you to him
I would give you the letter If
had It,"
Hes speaking truth, Jud. No use
5ouncing him around any more
Let's get out of here"
Prentiss snarled as he turned or
Stratton. CLAMP yore mouth, fel-
low. If you know what's good fol
you"
The Hat T men clumped out Of
the ONCE.
Without waiting to gather up the
scattered documents on the flool
the attorney locked up and wen,
home. He was weak and sick and
his throat ached from the pressure
OF Jud's iron fingers. His wife put
him to bed and sent for a doctor.
We've got to get a warning tc
Silcott," he told his wife.
She was a competent, motherly
woman. Don't worry. dear. III
take care of that. I'm going to see
Russell Mosely.
He was alarmed at the anger ir
her eyes. you mustn't say any.
thing that will annoy him. Jane,
he told her You don't know wha,
he would do"
Mrs. Stratton Gives Warning.
She nodded. "He will be reason.
able, David. III promise that, auc
SO shall l." Mrs. Stratton did no
explain what she meant by rea.
sonable.
Jane penned a note to Jim Sill.
colt and sent it to the Windon
house by q Chinese servant whom
she could trust.
A Mexican maid handed it Il
silcott while he was at supper. HI
asked permission Of Mrs. Windon
to read the message. He read:
1.-TWO masked men came into
Mr.. Stratton's Office Just as he
was leaving They brandished
revolvers and forced him to open
the safe. When they did not
find what they wanted they al
most strangled him. He is now
sick In bed. One of the men
called the other Jud.
MY husband has asked me to
warn you to look out for your
self. He thinks you had better
get out Of town at once"
The signature on the note wa.
Jane Stratton.''
Il hope it isn't bad news" Henri
eta said.
'Mosely has made his second try
for the letter. he replied. 1.-TWO ol
his rufhans assaulted our lawyer
Stratton. He Is at home sick. The
note Is from his wife"
us Mr.. Stratton badly hurt?" the
hostess asked.
II don't think So"
did they get the letter." Anne
wanted to know.
mo. stratton did not have It,"
Anne Asks Of Letter.
Anne did not ask any more ques-
tions. She knew the answer to that
one. AS soon as she was alone with
him for q moment she put q more
direct one to him. what have YOU
done with the Gandara letter."
He grinned at her. "Stratton
|