Part 23 (2/2)

these other bulls, then I'm warnin' you to back out gracefully before it's too late. I came here with a flag of truce to give you a chance, and you can save yourself a lot of trouble by bein' on the square with me.”

Bargaining with a known crook was not to Marsh's taste. If they were in the dark as to his intentions and his status, let them remain so.

He guessed now that the gun in Newman's hands would not be used except as a last resort to avoid personal capture. The man's idea was to have his say, and then go as quietly as he had come, if possible. Marsh's tense watching relaxed somewhat. There was no immediate danger, and the future could adjust itself. He would like to get this fellow now, but if not, then he would get him later.

”It is none of your business what work I am engaged in,” said Marsh.

”Moreover, you can tell your gang for me to go straight to h.e.l.l.

Now, take my advice and get out quick before you lose the opportunity.” Newman's lips parted in a vicious grin.

”You've got nerve, I'll say that for you,” he commented. ”But you don't know what a hole you're in. We've got more than one string to our bow. If you won't listen to one kind of reason, perhaps you'll listen to another. Now, you're stuck on Jane Atwood.”

Marsh sprang to his feet with an oath.

”Leave that girl out of this,” he cried, ”or I'll beat you to a pulp!”

”Steady, Mister, steady!” exclaimed Newman. ”You ain't bullet proof.

Handlin' a gun is part of my business, and you won't get two feet from that chair if you make a false move. Sit down and listen to me.”

Reason quickly replaced the unthinking rage of the moment, and Marsh sat down as the other directed. But his mind was made up to one thing--Newman would not leave that room now except as a prisoner or a dead man.

”That's the idea,” said Newman. ”You're helpless as a babe, and you might as well acknowledge it. Now, listen to this. You're crazy about Jane Atwood, or all signs fail. In fact, you probably hope to marry her. She's a cla.s.sy, refined girl, with a big purpose in life.

What's more, she's got peculiar notions of what's right and what's wrong. If she knew her father was a crook, and that he died to escape you, where do you think you'd get off? She'd never have anything, more to do with you, that girl wouldn't. She'd devote her life to somethin' or other to make up for her father's slip--that's what she'd do.”

Newman paused, and Marsh ground his teeth and waited.

”Now, my man,” continued Newman, ”another false move on your part and the facts will be given to that girl, with absolute convincin'

proof. There'll be no way of talkin' her out of it. You'll be through--that's all!”

While Newman talked, he had gradually leaned forward, deeply absorbed in the driving home of this final threat. The muzzle of the automatic had also slowly turned until a bullet would now strike several feet to the right. Marsh had carefully watched for this approaching opportunity and now he acted.

Like a flash, he jumped to his feet, swinging his right arm upward and forward as if hurling something at Newman. Instinct was stronger than training. The man's arms were quickly raised to ward off the expected missile. Then, realizing that Marsh was upon him, he endeavored to escape, but the powerful hands had already closed on him. He was swung upward into the air, while bullets from the automatic crashed into the walls, the ceiling and the floor, as he tried to direct its fire at his opponent.

For the matter of a second, Newman was poised in midair. Then Marsh, swept by a fierce and uncontrollable rage, dashed the helpless bundle across the room and it struck with a smas.h.i.+ng thud.

CHAPTER XIX

KIDNAPPED

Marsh slowly regained control of himself as he stood staring at the crumpled figure. Striding across the room, he bent over Newman. The man was breathing heavily, and his eyes had a dazed glare. Although he was not unconscious in the full sense of the word, it seemed probable that it would be some time before Newman could start any more trouble. Marsh decided, however, that it would be safer to provide against future possibilities, so he drew Newman's hands together and snapped on a pair of handcuffs.

Suddenly Marsh realized that his doorbell was ringing furiously.

This time he took no chances, and his automatic was in his hand ready for instant use when he opened the door. He found Morgan and Tierney in the hall.

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