The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1942-04-16
CHAPTER XII

door. "Cover everything" said
Thumm in matter f-fact voice.
'sHe's liable to be rambunctious.' -
He pressed the bell-button. In
stantly they heard the scuffle of
feet and a mans voice cried
hoarsely: ''Who is it?"
Thumm beloved: "Police! O.
pen up!'
You'll never get me alive!''
Another scuffling of feet, then a
shot and the sound of something
heavy falling.
Duffy and another man stepped
back with Thumm and the three
crashed into the door. Under the
fourth assault it gave with a
grinding scream and they tumbl-
ed into a long dark hall. At the
end was a room, fully Illuminated
On the threshold lay the pajama-
clad figure of Michael Collins; by
his right hand a dull-black re-
volver.
Thumm landed on his knees
beside Collins. Hes still alive!
Get him into that room''
Collins lips were drawn back
in a wolfish snarl. Along the
right side of his head nothing but
matted hair and dripping blood
was visible. Thumm's fingers
touched the wound and were in
stantly crimson. Didn't even
penetrate his thick SKULL" he
growled. "Just plowed alongside
his head. tainted from the shock
I guess. Lousy aim. Get a doc
tor, somebody Well, Bruno, il
looks like the end" He picked
up the revolver. cts a SO all
right" Then his face fell. "Only
one shot fired, though"
A detective came in followed
by a man in pajamas and robe,
carrying a black bag. Five min
utes later the physician rose.
Hell need further attention
soon, but this will do Temperate
1y. He'll have an ugly headache
and good deal of pain. He's
coming to now"
A hoarse groan and Collins eyes
rolled open, filled incredibly
with tears as intelligence slowly
crept into them. One bloodless
hand strayed to his head, felt the
bandage, dropped helplessly to
the divan.
Collins" began the inspector,
sitting down beside the wounded
man, why did you try to COM
NIT suicide?"
Collins painted: ''You've got
me, haven't you? I'm ruined any
way
"Then you admit it,"
Collins began to say some
thing, stopped, nodded, looked
startled, and raised his eyes sud-
denly: admit what?"
Thumm laughed shortly. ''Don't
play the innocent victim stuff.
You killed John DEWITT"
Collins strove to sit up, but
sank back again under the pres
sure of Thumm's hand on his
chest. care you crazy?" he cried.
Thumm looked. puzzled. Bru-
no said soothingly: ''Now look
here. Evasion won't do you a
bit of good"
'But I didn't kill Dewitt, I tell
your
"Then why did you seem to
expect the arrival of police and
try to commit suicide?" demand
ed Thumm.
because :" Collins caught
his underlip. "That's my bust
ness. The last time I saw Dewitt
he was very much alive"
"Then you admit seeing Dewitt
tonight?"
"Sure I saw him."
How'd you happen to be on
the Newburgh local?"
''I followed him all evening.
I've been trying to see him for a
long time"
'What happened after you two
went out on the PLATFORM"
ct asked him to make good
Longstreet's bum tip. II need
ed that dough. Dewitt wouldn't
listen. I almost got down on my
knees, but it was no go. We were
pulling out of a station, so I o.
pened the door and jumped down.
I saw him push the door to and
20 in the rear car"
ssDid you have your revolver
with your"
"No."
"Well, guess that's about all
now. How do you feel?"
"a little better. Head aches
like fury"
st sure am glad" said Thumm.
s'That means we won't have to
call an ambulance. Get up and
get dressed now. You're coming
back to headquarters with U.S."