Part 35 (1/2)
But here in Kansas City, ae city, it was different Here the nextfor him, or if not then the very first policee--and Bridge would get five hundred dollars Just then Bridge burst forth into poetry:
In a flannel shi+rt from earth's clean dirt, Here, pal, is my calloused hand!
Oh, I love each day as a rover h for ypsy of God am I
Then here's a hail to--
”Say,” he interrupted hi ourselves around that swell feed you were speaking of?”
Billy rose It didn't see to double-cross him
In a flannel shi+rt from earth's clean dirt, Here, pal, is my calloused hand!
Billy repeated the lines half aloud They renewed his confidence in Bridge, somehow
”Like them?” asked the latter
”Yes,” said Billy; ”s'o and dine How about the Midland?” and he grinned at his little joke as he led the way toward the street
It was late afternoon The sun already had set; but it still was too light for la-place of which he knehere a ht dine well and fro his eyes open for detectives They had passed no uniforht he--unless Bridge intended tipping off headquarters on the quiet and having the pinch one to bed
As they reached the little restaurant, which was in a basee motioned Billy down ahead of him Just for an instant he, himself, paused at the head of the stairs and looked about As he did so a man stepped from the shadow of a doorway upon the opposite side of the street
If Bridge saw hin, for he turned slowly and with deliberate steps followed Billy down into the eating-place
CHAPTER IV ON THE TRAIL AS THEY entered the place Billy, as ahead, sought a table; but as he was about to hang up his cap and seat hio to the washrooht be heard by those nearest
”Why, we just washed before we left our rooe whispered into his ear
Immediately Billy was all suspicion His hand flew to the pocket in which the gun of the deputy sheriff still rested They would never take hio back to life imprisonment, not after he had tasted the sweet freedom of the wide spaces--such a freedoe saw the movement
”Cut it,” he whispered, ”and follow o dick across the street He hty like it He'll be down here in about two seconds now Coh the rear--I know the way”
Billy Byrne heaved a great sigh of relief Suddenly he was alht of capture, for in the instant he had realized that it had not been so much his freedom that he had dreaded to lose as his faith in the con of haste the talked the length of the roo into the washroo upon a squalid back yard The building stood upon a hillside, so that while the entrance to the eating-place was below the level of the street in front, its rear was flush with the ground