Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

1 =====1=========== (Continued from page 6, column 4.) . and "sit up angrily. "Push up that sleeve, you, or I'll have Waldron do it for you. We've [got you foul, you fool!" I stripped back my sleeve, exposing imy right forearm, yet never removing my eyes from their facas. Harris and Costigan bent forward, intent on the operation, but Waldron never* shifted his position. Harris slapped a hand on the desk, and gave uttert ance to an oath. "By G?d. Dan, we're right. This bird's not Daly!" "Not in a thousand years he ain't. He's sure a dead-ringer, though." Harris straightened up, the same hateful grin still exposing his teeth. . * U ~ ? XU: - "neve got your uumuei uus umc, son," he announced. "Harry Daly Las ^ a tattooed anchor on his right arm. I didn't know it, but Dan did. I'll tell you what made us wise. In the shindig over at Perond's tonight, a cardcase was jarred loose from your \ pocket. There was only one kind of card inside, and that wasn't Daly by a d?n sight. I told Dan about it, and he was for getting a squint at that right arm. Said for me to call I , you up at the number you gave me, believing that if I threw in 'con* enough you'd come over here. I asked for 4G 145,' the operator there named yer, andrit was the same name what was on them cards. So now we know yer're a dirty liar and spy, Mister v Philip Severn." "You called me Daly yourself, Har ns," i sum quieuyf realizing uie game was up, but not yet sure of their intentions. "I merely let it go." i "Sure: but what was the game? You } ain't no fly-cop?" p "Nothing of the kind." I L "Then you was after the dough. That's what I thought; you and the girl are in cahoots. Well, what did I- you do with it?" , I shook my head, but this only angered Costigan. "Ah, stow that," he broke in roughI j ly, "we know you never got It, but she did. There ain't no other way it I could have been done. The dame left with Alva. George here saw her go . out with him. Then the next morning the guy was found dead, his pock\ ets rifled, and the bag of cash gone. !!! How was he croaked?do you know? Punctured from behind with some sorter sharp instrument, no bigger than a hat-pin. It looked like a woman's job, but she got away clean. And what then? The next night she turns up with you over at Perond's blowing 'in the coin, and the two of yer havin' a h?1 of a time. That proves yer were together, dont it?" "We're not going to blow this to the police," broke in Harris, as Dan paused for breath. "That ain't the idea at all. But we want a share of i that dough. You come across, and there won't be no more trouble." ' "Rut snnnose I don't? SuDnose I tell! yon I haven't the slightest idea where j that money is, or who got it? What then?" Harris' grin was more malicious and hateful than never, but he waited and (deliberately lit his stump of a cigar. "What then?" he echoed finally. "Well, In the first place, we've got you, ha vent we? You'll squeal, believe me, before you ever get out of our hands. See here, Severn, I ain't got any direct proof that'll put you in the chair at Sing-Sing; that's true enough, but, unless the two of you cough up . liberal, IH turn something over to the ' police of this town what will give you a term in the jug, as accessory, and P fix that fly dame of yours for all time." "You are bluffing; you have no such proof." "Oh, haven't I? Look here, you fool; do you know where I got' that?" He whipped something from put the concealment of an inner coat pocket, and flung it fully revealed onto the \ desk?an ornamental dagger, glittering in the light, which I as instantly recognized. "Ever see that baby weapon before?" "Yes," and I felt a sudden relief at the discovery. "You slashed open my valise, and found it" "Exactly; that's what I did," evidently proud of himself. "It was an easy enough trick. Just as soon as I got eyes on this pretty plaything I knew I'd got the sticker that put Alva oat of Dullness?an' 1 anew i where it come from." "Where?" "Oh, b?1! do yon think I ain't got any e>vs? That skirt wore it in her hat when she and Alva went oat together." "Oh, did she? This same pin, was it? Say, Harris, I wish I could be as bright as you think you are. And did you happen to observe also that the jr lady's hat was held in place by exactly the same pin tonight when she was in Perond's? WfU, it was; now how could it be in your pocket and in her hat at the same time?" L He stared at me, his mouth wide I open, and I was equally amused at the I expression upon the faces of the other ' two. I realized fully the peril I was in, and that these men would hesitate at nothing to obtain their end. Yet, in spite of aU this, I was inexpressibly happy. I spiked their big gun with a single blow; moreover, I had learned I the truth about her, and my faith in her innocence came back in a flood. Harris had done too much boasting; he had ruined his own case. He had placed the very weapon in my grasp ' which I most desired to have?absolute assurance that the girl herself was innocent. The fellow felt, and I1. ' realized, the change. "That's easy," he sneered. "She bought herself another. That proves nothing, except that she is smart ^ enough to play safe. Neither one of ! you ^can get away on that sort of i dope." I "Perhaps not; but it clears her of . the murder charge." "Oh, does it? That remains to be seen. We know who she is, and that j is mere than you do. Oh, h?1, I go* ! onto that over the wire; the only I thing that interested you into coming i here was to learn who the dame realj ly was. That's part of her play, as I . figure it, Severn. She won't give her' j self away, but is just using you. When she's good and ready she means to j fade, an' she'll take the dough along j with her. You will have sold out for ( a few cheat) kisses, an' that's all." He laughed coarsely. "She is stringing you for a fool. Come now, wake up, before it is too late, an' let's all get a hand in the pot; what'de yer say?" j "You still think I am that kind? j One of your class?" I questioned, thor- j oughly angered by his sneering speech, j "One of my class? I should say 1 not; you are the rawest kind of a j mutt, but so far you've been in luck? that's a^l. Now your luck has changed, and yer up against it." "What do you want me to do?" "Blow her; tell us all you know. ; We'H play the game for you, and di- I vide square." "You will let me out of here?" "Sure, once you give us the right j steer." "And if I refuse?" He laughed contemptuously. "You're not going to; you've got too ; d?n much sense. But just to satisfy | Bp B 11 "And If I Refuse?" your curiosity Til tell you. We've got the girl spotted; we can lay our hands on her in an hour; and, believe me, we've got the goods on the young lady. Here's the sticker that did the business, and I found it right where you had hidden it away. I can find three men?they are keeping out of sight, but I can stir them up?who'll swear that she went away alone with Alva from that factory over there; that he had the bag with him, and that the two got into the auto together. That makes one h?1 of a straight case, flon't it?" i "The way you put it?yes. But | what good will it do you fellows to have her pinched? Where do you gain anything?" , "Time; it blocks the get-away with the swag. That's all we want. See here, Severn, we know where the stuff * - ? ? 3 . ! IS piaiiieu , at least we ve gut <ui lucdf but we've got to work slow and can-' tious in order to lift it If it wasn't j for that we wouldn't care if she skipped. If you'll help us to ge? quick action, we'll let the girl go, and give you a - share. Take my word for it, i that's a d?n sight more than youli ever get by staying with her." "But if she finds out that I have turned her down?" "She won't never find it out; we'll keep mum. Besides, you're doin' her a good turn, keepin' her out of the electric chair. Well, there's the proposition?you can leave it, or take it." Serious as the situation was, I could not fail to see its absurdity. This was no threat to frighten me; the fellows meant what they said, although I doubted if they really possessed the knowledge claimed so glibly. But they evidently meant to go on; they were not bluffing, for they really had an ugly ease, and could undoubtedly make trouble. The evidence against the girl was strong, almost convincing: ?vvn shook my own confidence in her Innocence. The absurdity of the situa tion lay in my absolute Ignorance. I knew even less than they pretended to know. What should I do? Pretend, manufacture some story? I had no faith it would work. These fellows were criminals, suspicious and unscrupulous; they would only believe what I could prove. If they caught me in a deliberate lie, as they probably would, that would instantly end everything. I might, then, just as well fight it out with them now as later. I set my teeth, ready for what I felt sure was coming. "You fellows have sized me up wrong," I said quietly, but firmly. "I am not the kind to squeal because of | a threat. You'll find I'll protect the | lady, but Til do it in my own way? not yours. The honest truth is, I haven't anything to tell. You won't believe that, but it is so. I know less than you claim to know. I have no j knowledge of where the money is, or who got it. I do not know who killed Aiva; even now I haven't any suspicions worth mentioning. But I will say .this plainly?I do not believe this girl did it, or that she had any hand in 'the robbery. T am going to stay with her till h?1 freezes over, if that is what you want to know. That's my answer, Harris, and it is all I've got to give you." "You d?d cur! we'll show you somethinig!" "Perhaps you will; you are three to j one, and on your own dung-hill. Rut j the man who touches me is going to i get hurt; I'll promise you that. No, j you don't, Costigan; that trick won't ! work!" I tried to keep my eyes on the three of them, but his movement caused me to step back closer against the wall. I feared the Jew least; he had neither v,/-.*. ci'n/>o nilr (HlfMIIPP Ill/I iil'M tvt OtUW VUt and I folt he had no stomach for any farther fighting. Yet I judged wrong. With one quick dash forward he gripped my wrist as I reached back for a revolver, and flung his burly frame against me with such force as to have thrown me headlong but for the support of the wall. Before I could wrench myself free, the others closed in desperately, content to use their hands, unwilling, perhaps, to create any alarm with fire-arms. I was a better fighting man than any one of the three, but combined they had the " J T frATTi tV|D UW Y till l niciiv-iicu tt vui w.w Russian, and thus got one hand in action, yet that was all. I know I planted one jolting blow straight against Costigan's round face which made him wince, and got a foot fair into Harris' stomach, sending him reeling backward. Indeed I staggered the two of them, twisting out of the grip of those iron fingers, and smashing a step forward in spite of every effort. I was maddened, frenzied, reckless of all injury, eager only to injure those devils in any conceivable way; hate - - - *?- ? ?Jit. ? ??^ seemea to enuow me wiui natural strength, and a desire to kill swept me with passion. All before me was Mood-red, amid which swam their faces, and I went straight for them like a wild beast. Then, suddenly, from behind, a blow descended on my head, crushing me to the floor. I went stumbling down as though struck with a pole-ax, and lay motionless. For the instant I must have retained a measure of consciousness. I knew where I was; I even attempted vainly to regain use of my limbs, and I heard Harris swear in disgust. "What the h?1 did you hit him like that for, you idiot?". he yelped "We don't want to kill the guy; he's worth more to us alive. Here, you, Wal dron, lift up his head!" Then all knowledge left me, and I went out into the dark. CHAPTER XI A Venture of Peril. I must have remained unconscious for an hour or more. I never really knew how long, for my watcn disappeared, yet it was still night when I again painfully opened my eyes and endeavored to perceive my surroundings. Memory of the blow which ended the struggle caused me to lift a hand to my head; the scalp was bruised and broken, the hair matted with clotted blood, yet I could not believe the injury was a serious one. I could use my limbs. Satisfied on this point, and assured that I was alone, I braced myself on one arm, and, in a sitting posture, endeavored -to survey my surroundings. I was resting on the floor of a bare room of ordinary size, containing no vestige of furniture. The place was cold, with that indescribable chill peculiar to unused apartments, and through the one window, which was unshaded by a curtain, poured the direct light of an almost full moon. In this silvery light every bit of that interior stood revealed in its hideous bareness, the roughly finished walls, the patches of pooifvi nt? thA flfr+v floor, the yiaoici ov-aivu vi*| v-v , single door and window, the rags amid which I rested. It was a hopeless scene. I staggered to my feet reeling a moment like a drunken man, and then finally found my way along the side wall to the window. My strength increased as I advanced, and ^ourage was born with it?I was not dead; I might baffle those villains yet They must have felt that I was safe enough in this place; that, even if I regained consciousness, no escape was possible, for they had left no guard. A glance without revealed the reason for such confidence. I was four stories up, a sheer brick wall below, and, at the bottom, a concrete walk. There was nothing between to cling to unless il might be the narrow coping of stone Just beneath the window sill. Ista"e<3 *t this, almost hopefully, for an u* stant; then turned my eyes away witn a shudder; it was scarcely as broad as the sole of my shoe and to think of creeping along there was merely the dream of a madman. The bright moonlight flooded everything about, yet I saw nothing familiar; I was evidently at the back end of a house, with others closely set on either side, and an alley beyond a small, enclosed yard. This latter was littered with dead weeds and rubbish of every description, and a small shed of some kind extended across the rear. Three stories below, but to the right, a narrow porch protected the back door. There was no movement visible anywhere, no gleam of light from the windows below me. I listened in vain for any sound; the night was as still as dea'/p, not even the echo of a distant street-car reaching my ear. I was somewhere within the limits of the city; of that I felt assured, but beyond this could determine nothing. I stole as silently as possible across to the door. It was securely locked, of course, and could be forced open, if at all, only by creating considerable alarm. I stood, staring helplessly about, .feeling the impossibility of escape. I could only wait for my Jail-, ers To appear, impotent to aid myself in any way?or her. After all, that last thought was the most impelling. That they suspected Marie Gessler of being implicated in both murder and robbery was clearly evident; indeed, they not only suspected, but were convinced that she had done the deed. I was secretly obliged to admit that they had some reason to so believe; that they even possessed proof which would probably convict her in court of the crime. This gave them a terrible advantage over the girl, once they had her bodily in their posses sion. Guilty or not guilty, she could not establish her innocence; under torture and threat, such as they would doubtless use in their money lust, there was no knowing what might happen. Alone, helpless in the grasp of these unscrupulous crooks, her fate might be death, disgrace. Certainly it would be foul insult, and, if she failed to yield, the desire for revenge might even drive those cowards to a secret denouncement of her to the police. This, however,' would be their last resort ; they would exhaust all other efforts first. And no one else knew of her danger; no one else was in position to aid her; she must face this gang absolutely alone unless I couia eireci an escape, it was uui merely my own life at stake; hers was also in the balance And the time in which to act was short. If I escaped at all, it must be accomplished before my jailers returned, before they dreamed that I had aroused froip unconsciousness, or had strength enough to make the attempt. Yet what possible way suggested itself? I felt in my pockets; they were utterly empty, except for a single overlooked bill. There was no means of egress other than the window and that seemed hopeless. Yet in desperation I crossed over once more, and again looked out. Could I?dare I?attempt to cling to that slight ledge in my stocking feet, even for the one or two steps necessary to reach the next window? The very conception of such a feat made my 1 3 mrr otom O IlfilQ I t?t?I giUUH^ cxjliV-i uij OkuuiaLu aauv in protest Besides, even if I made it by some miracle, what if that other window should be closed and locked? How could I ever move backward to regain safety? Yet wait: there was a way, dangerous enough to be sure, yet possible if I possessed the necessary nerve. There were opened blinds at each window; they would help some as grasping spots for the hands. The one within reach appeared solid enough, firmly anchored t;o the casement, and secured Kmnlr Troll Ktr VIOflTIQ Cif Pn iTTMl iu llic U11VA nuu KJJ V-* . ..VM hook. Between the two the space to be traversed was not wide; a single stride on the ground beneath would bridge the distance. If I had some thing to cling to above?anything that would keep me upright?I might hold my footing on the narrow stone and make the passage slowly. It was a i daring, deadly venture, but possible. But what could I hope to utilize as j a support? The bare room offered but! a single suggestion?the dirty coverletj xrhfnh hnri been thrown over me. Torn ' apart from corner to corner, and j twisted into the form of a rope, it! ought to safely sustain my entire j weight in case a foot slipped. I j started to tear with my teeth, and thus j succeeded In ripping the thing fpona .(To he continued next week.) ^There 1 "V none Ioj (ALADDINI simply t | J or "OWT SECURITYOIL ordinaH STANDARD to maki CM L COMPANY . , ^ j crisply c some co fection Oven is up it conveniently a It's a pleasure, tc coal and wood c around and unde basket or box. A si place of the stove t Always be sure wick so that the f ( NEWPERF Oil Cook 1 I DR. G. M. TRULUCK J | SPECLIALIST I a Eye, Ear, Nose and 3 | Throat. 1 I Barton Bids*. Phone 274 1 .9 ? e< r\ 9! || v/iciiigfuur^, o. v* | Habitual Constipation Cured in 14 to 21 Days 1 "LAX-FOS WITH PEPSIN" is a speciallyprepared Syrup Tonic-Laxative for Habitual Constipation. It relieves promptly but should be taken regularly for 14 to 21 days to induce regular action It Stimulates and Regulates. Very Pleasant to Take. 60c per bottle. ; **7 9 _ U fl^fl /*1.9f J no worms in a neaiiay wnnu All children troubled with Worms have an un! healthy color, which indicates poor blood, and as a ; rule, there is more or I ess stomach disturbance, i GROVE'S TASTELESS CHILL TONIC given regularly for two or three weeks will enrich the blood, improve the digestion, and act as a general Strengthening Tonic to the whole system. Nature will then throw off or dispel the wonns, and the Child will be la perfect health. Pleasant to take. 60c per bottle. fflKjawMBBSBBMBaWEMI'i1 li i'1,1 "i 11 T 1 1' There is no time in tl is more susceptible to tr; during boyhood days. f f Many a successful bus his success in large meas a boy. / Don't you think your starting of a bank accoui There is no excuse for; RESOURCES OVE I ffflf M fl ? I j?r w 7TI e^?1HB??KPr BBaKa^i wiirWI I * W> moan mmmmmgmgmm HBnKSnKK^iSS w*snwt& s pleasure i in a cool kii EN your cooking is white t >ne with a New Per- most h< Oil Cook Stove the theNe1 l isn't made uncom- bluech hot. All the heat you the he; ready, just when and utensil* ou want it?there is the hot >t. You regulate it by comph urning the wick up drop ol i a trifle. New f yhy it's so easy with in five, * ? ~ i / cooking expenence vuc-uuj 2 light fluffy cakes, ersselei rusted pies and tooth- the wai okies. The New Per- Use Al; ) where you can reach best res nd look into it easily. ancj dej >o, to be relieved of NewPerfe arrying, of sweeping atmostdei * the hod and wood 5'ore nail dust-rag takes the standai backing brush. ECTON Movies / The Quinine That Does Not Affect the Head Because of its tonic and laxative effect, LAXATIVE BROMO QUININE is better than ordinary Quinine and does not cause nervousness noc r'nging i n head. Remember the fall name and look for the signature of E. W. GROVE. 30c. A. B. UTSEY INSURANCE Bamberg, S. C. Files Cured in 6 to 14 Days Druggists refund money if PAZO OINTMENT fails '.o cure Itching, Biind, Bleeding or Protruding Piles, 'nstantly relieves Itching Piles, and you can get restful sleep after the first application. Price 60c. I7K5 1921 THK COLLEOE OF CHARLESTON' Ojx?n to Men and Women Entrance examinations, and examinations ofr the free tuition county scholarships at all county seats Friday, July 8, at 9 a. m. Four-year courses lead to the B. A. and B? S. degrees. A special two year pre-medical course is given. Spacious buildings and athletic grounc. s, well equipped laboratories ' unexcelled library facilities. A dormitory for men. Expenses moderate. For terms, catalogue, and illustrated h r? r? L-1 o t Qflflroee UVWUIVW) UUUi vuo HARRISON RANDOLPH, Pres. ' . _ pgQIMBBHHHHSHHi / HE H/SH?S JO ^ 4ccoorrj '" ' ;'i le life of a man when he lining, to discipline, than { - .' !J ^:f|| liness man of today owes :ure to proper training as | boy's future is worth the I it for him today? J fly; . *" a Slacker Dollar to day. I * * ' ' /. i i R $1,000,000.00 i ' -Jf *KING CO. $ WP???"WW amS^3?h wmmmmmmm^mmmaam^mmm^mmmmrnmimmmimammtmmmmmmmmmm^m^mmmmmmmmmmm ' # . ti cooking tchen % ips. These give you the iat. Another feature of w Perfection is its long imney. This drives all at up to the cooking > and doesn't soot up tomsofthem. Insures i ste burning of every f oil; none is wasted. ^rfections are made four, three, two and rner sizes. Most buv* ct them equipped with *ming cabinet. '"IMS addin Security Oil for ults; it's always clean pendable. ction Oil Cook Stoves are sold bartment,furniture and hard' s. RD OIL CO. (NEW JERSEY) I