Adventure, February 1917 — page 200: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

198 decide in an instant whom he would pur- sue. He knew that the confederate could not be further away than the alley directly back of the house, but as he regained the street he was just in time to see Slim . Terrell turning the corner a half block below. McQuade made his choice, blessing the handcuffs and the area wall, snatched his gun from its holster, and bent forward in clean-bodied pursuit. To the officer it seemed all but hopeless. He did not know the district any too well and Terrell had a good half block start. There were a thousand nooks. and. blind hiding-places into which he might dodge. But there would be no hiding place, and no dodging, for Larry McQuade. The ghost of that fake murdered man would dog him forever. The fat man who had lost the ‘money would want to know why there was no trial, and Larry knew that he would be compelled to tell the story. There was no adow of doubt now of he prisoner’s guilt, and every reason to believe that he did belong to a regular mob, in all prob- ability that of Billy Henshaw. McQuade sizzled already under the zip and flash of the lieutenant’s words. Then there was the laughter of the other men to face, worse even than what his superior would: say, because longer continued. He wondered if he could ever live it down. He wished fervently for a way to avoid tell- ing thestory. But heran on, doing his best. ‘As Larry’ the sidewalk after the man who had already turned the corner of the block, Gray: Billy Henshaw heeled it down the alley. He had done what he could for Terrell, then left him to his own devices. He had given his partner his chance, he thought, and now he thought of his own escape. Instinct, at the rear after he left the house; led him to turn down the alley, away from the scene of the theft. He had a slight start of Larry, even as Slim Terrell had a half block start of him. But as he burst out of the alley mouth he collided heavily with another sprinter. s flying feet pad-padded down _ Adventure Terrell and Henshaw went down, and before they could recover Larry had turned the corner and his spitting gun warned them that it would not be safe to run. AT THE station the lieutenant listened impassively to the tale of the fat man’s loss, He knew Gray Billy Henshaw, and he was delighted to see him. And Larry did not need to offer testimony to prove Henshaw’s complicity, for the one hundred and forty dollars in gold certificates in his pocket convicted him , wordlessly. The lieutenant fingered the watch that had been taken from Slim Terrell, the watch of which Terrell’s possession had caused Gray Billy to attempt a rescue and so bring about his own apprehension. “‘What’s this?” the lieutenant asked. Terrell claimed legitimate ownership. “Yours, huh?” the other retorted. ‘‘Well, maybe, Nobody has reported its theft— ret.’ Gray Billy threw up his hands. Chance had tricked him, as neatly as he had planned to trick Larry McQuade. For with the theft of the watch unreported Slim Terrell, as yet unknown to the police and for that reason specially valuable, might have escaped without assistance. Now Henshaw knew that both himself and Terrell were in for it. He asked permission to call up a lawyer, and the superior officer smiled a wise smile, knowing this appeal to the “‘mouthpiece”’ was a confession. The lieutenant, exultant over the cap- ture, looked at Larry with new interest. He had not thought much of the new man; he did not like new men. But this one had done something worthy; and he hoped now that he would do nothing to spoil it. “They give you any trouble?” the lieutenant inquired, his voice and eyes still cold. Larry McQuade felt like a ship captain who is- nudged by a seemingly friendly ice- berg. But he answered calmly enough— “Why, no, lieutenant, none to speak of.” m (CO) (EO) DOOkK