|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 67
The three, hoping that their combined arguments might have weight with
Norton, went to him and did not leave him until they had made clear
what their thoughts were, what the whole State was saying of him. And,
as Struve had predicted, he shook his head.
"These later robberies haven't been Galloway's work," he told them
positively. "They were pulled off by the same man who stuck up Kemble
of the Quigley mines. Inside of a week I'll get something done; I'll
promise you that. But let me do it my way."
Engle alone of the three drew a certain satisfaction from the interview.
"He has promised something definite," he told them. "Did you ever know
him to do that and fail to keep his word? Maybe we're getting a little
excited, boys."
The latest crime had been the robbery of the little bank at Packard
Springs. The highwayman had gone in the night to the room of the
cashier, forced him to dress, go to the bank, and open his safe. The
result was a theft of a couple of thousand dollars, no trace left
behind, and a growing feeling of insecurity throughout the county. It
was for this crime that Norton meant and promised to make an arrest.
Exactly seven days from the day of his promise Norton rode into San
Juan and asked for Tom Cutter. Struve, meeting him at the hotel door,
looked at him sharply.
"Made that arrest yet, Norton?" he demanded. Norton smiled.
"No, I haven't," he admitted coolly. "But I've got a few minutes
before my week's up, haven't I? Fix me up with something to eat and
I'll have a talk with you and Tom while I attend to the inner man."
But over his meal, while Cutter and Struve watched him impatiently, he
did little talking other than to ask carelessly where del Rio was.
"Damn it, man," cried Struve irritably. "You've hinted at him before
now. If he's a crook, why don't you go grab him? He's in his room."
Norton swung about upon Struve, his eyes suddenly filled with fire.
"Look here, Struve," he retorted, "I've had about a bellyful of
badgering. I'm running my job and it will be just as well for you to
keep your hands off. As for why I don't make an arrest . . . Come on,
Tom. You, too, Julius," his smile coming back. "I'm going to get del
Rio."
"I don't believe . . ." began Struve.
"Seeing is believing," returned Norton lightly. "Come on."
Followed by the two men, Norton went direct to del Rio's room, at the
front of the house, just across the hall from Virginia's office. At
del Rio's quick "_Entra_," he threw open the door and went in. Del
Rio, seated smoking a cigar, looked up with curious eyes which did not
miss the two men following the sheriff.
"You are under arrest for the bank robbery at Packard Springs," said
Norton crisply.
"_Que quiere usted decir_?" demanded the Mexican, to whom the English
words were meaningless.
Norton threw back his vest, showing his star. And while he kept his
eye upon del Rio he said quietly to Cutter:
"Look through his trunk and bags."
Del Rio, understanding quickly enough, sat smoking swiftly, his eyes
narrowing as they clung steadily to Norton's. Cutter, a rising hope in
his breast that at last his superior had made good, went to the trunk
in the corner. Del Rio shrugged and remained silent.
Cutter began tumbling out upon the floor an assortment of clothing,
evincing little respect for the Mexican's finery. Suddenly, when his
hands had gone to the bottom, he sat back upon his heels, a leaping
light in his eyes.
"Caught with the goods on, by God!" he cried. "Look here, Struve!"
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|