Evening star., 1941-01-26

Empty threats. Don't waste your
breath. I've got you and you know
it,"
What do you want?"
You know that, tool" John
ODian moved away from the win
dow. He had been watching for
some one. He spread his thin long
fingered hands before him, gazing
unconcernedly at the well-mani-
cured nails.
Il should like to tell you just
how I happened to outguess you,
Madigan. You should be inter-
ested in that
Check Book Gave Clue.
Kelly realized then that the man
was a supreme egotiSt. Everything
that he did was with the egotiSt's
realization that only he could do
it IN that certain way.
Kelly said Tell me what you
want. Ill give it to you, then re-
lease Sherr and the rest OF the peo-
pie here"
I'm afraid it won't be as easy
as that Let me get on with my
story. I'm anxious to tell it. Per-
haps you will be able to gather from
what I say, that Drawn does not
always win"
Kelly was silent. He stared bale
fully at John O'Dian. The other
man smiled thinly as he encoun-
tered Kelly's eyes.
You see. Madigan, realized that
when I had Sherr I also needed
you. You. too, must sign the neces-
sarv papers so that I may establish
credit again. Therefore, I had at
one time, only a part Of what I
needed. That was a blunder by
those to whom I entrusted the
initial venture.
Il wondered whether you were
there when Sherr was taken" Kelly
said grimly.
No. I wasn't there. That was
slight mistake" John ODian shook
his head The night you married
my niece and in the process at
tackled one of my men, Sherr left
her bag on the sidewalk. In it was
her checkbook. I deduced from GER
tain information that I had secured
about you that you were penniless.
With that knowledge l knew that
Sherr would need some money. Miss
Mannon is one of Sherrs best
friends and a little slip by Sherr
after I had talked to her revealed
that she had stopped here to secure
funds to finance her thoughtless
wedding"
You're smart aren't you?'
A Sort Spot.
II think so. Then, by reasoning
of which am proud, I realized you
knew none of Sherr's friends except
Miss Mannon. and consequently she
would be the single one of whom
you would think when you tried to
trace Sherr. I was right, of course.
Then realized that when you came
I would have to shatter your rea-
soning powers. Otherwise. you might
make things difficult. That end was
realized by the simple process of
tying Sherr securely in chair and
placing her in direct line with the
keyhole You co-operated most
pleaSingly. The rest was simple
This little gadget here" O'Dian
produced an ugly blackjack, is
most useful although really not
harmful"
Kelly said quietly why don't you
finish here and free these women?'
No. That wouldn't do We're all
invited to my home this evening
1t will be an ideal place for our little
talk. Well be far from any possible
interference. I've dismissed the
servants so that everything will be
cozy when we arrive"
you're mad" Kelly exploded.
A strange gleam famed in John
ODians eyes. He moved closer to
Kelly and raised his hand. His face
contorted horribly; his gray eyes
frightened in their sockets; his nos
trils flared.
Kelly realized then that the man
was really mad The press Of cir
cumstances had turned iron screws
upon him so that he was desperate
and in his despair his mind had
snapped.
Don't ever say that to me, Madl-
gan!" John ODian whispered
thinly You will not live to re-
peat it,"
A Thrill for Kelly.
Kelly knew that murder was on
this mans mind. But If that was
his intention then it would have to
be a mass killing-four people! He