Part 39 (1/2)

”Ye-as.”

”Den let me do sum'thin' fer yer.”

”What is it?”

”I'll tell yer. Yer see der feller ain't----”

Macklin broke off short, as a footstep sounded in the hall-way.

”It's der old woman comin' back,” he muttered.

”Your wife?”

”Yes.”

”Oh, what shall we do with the--the body?” cried Ferris, in alarm.

As he spoke the door-k.n.o.b was turned, and then came the tones of a woman's voice:

”Let me in, Tommy!”

CHAPTER XVIII.

HAL IN A TIGHT SITUATION.

Before d.i.c.k Ferris could say a word or move, Macklin clapped his hand over the tall boy's mouth.

”Hus.h.!.+” he muttered. ”I'll fix it all right.”

A square table stood in one corner of the room, and under it was a quant.i.ty of old bagging.

Macklin seized hold of Hal's body and dragged it toward the table.

Then he shoved the motionless form under the piece of furniture and covered it with the loose bagging.

The key to the door lay on the floor, and picking it up, Macklin inserted it in the lock and gave it a turn.

In a second the door was opened and a stout and harsh-looking woman appeared.

It was Tommy Macklin's wife.

She was a heavy drinker, but she was not a really bad woman at heart.

Had she been as unscrupulous as Macklin himself, the tough would never have pursued the course he did.

Before the woman could enter the room he met her and cut her short.

”I want you to go upstairs,” he said, taking the market basket she carried from her.