The Big-Town Round-Up
Page 32
CHAPTER XXXI
INTO THE HANDS OF HIS ENEMY
Durand waited alone for word to be flashed him that the debt he owedClay Lindsay had been settled in full. A telephone lay on the deskclose at hand and beside it was a watch. The second-hand ticked itsway jerkily round and round the circle. Except for that the stillnessweighed on him unbearably. He paced up and down the room chewingnervously the end of an unlit cigar. For the good tidings which he wasanxious to hear was news of the death of the strong young enemy who hadbeaten him at every turn.
Why didn't Collins get to the telephone? Was it possible that therehad been a slip-up, that Lindsay had again broken through the trap setfor him? Had "Slim's" nerve failed him? Or had Bromfield been unableto bring the victim to the slaughter?
His mind went over the details again. The thing had been well plannedeven to the unguarded door through which Collins was to escape. In thedarkness "Slim" could do the job, make his getaway along with Dave, andbe safe from any chance of identification. Bromfield, to save his ownhide, would keep still. If he didn't, Durand was prepared to shift themurder upon his shoulders.
The minute-hand of the watch passed down from the quarter to the halfand from the half to the three quarters. Still the telephone bell didnot ring. The gang leader began to sweat blood. Had some one bungledafter all the care with which he had laid his plans?
A door slammed below. Hurried footsteps sounded on the stair treads.Into the room burst a man.
"'Slim' 's been croaked," he blurted.
"What!" Durand's eyes dilated.
"At Maddock's."
"Who did it?"
"De guy he was to gun."
"Lindsay."
"Dat's de fellow."
"Did the bulls get Lindsay?"
"Pinched him right on de spot."
"Gun 'Slim,' did he?"
"Nope. Knocked him cold wit' a chair. Cracked his skull."
"Is he dead?"
"He'll never be deader. Dave grabbed this sucker Lindsay and yelledthat he done it. The bulls pinched him like I said right there."
"Did it happen in the dark?"
"Sure as you're a foot high. My job was dousin' the glims, and I doneit right."
"What about 'Slim'? Was he shooting when he got it?"
The other man shook his head. "This Lindsay man claims he was. Italked wit' a bull afterward. Dey didn't find no gun on 'Slim.' Thebull says there was no gun-play."
"What became of 'Slim's' gun?"
"Search me."
Durand slammed a big fist exultantly down on the desk. "Better thanthe way I planned it. If the gun's gone, I'll frame Lindsay for thechair. It's Salt Creek for his."
He lost no time in getting into touch with Gorilla Dave, who was underarrest at the station house. From him he learned the story of thekilling of Collins. One whispered detail of it filled him withmalicious glee.
"The boob! He'll go to the death chair sure if I can frame him. We'relucky Bromfield ran back into the little room. Up in front a dozenguys might have seen the whole play even in the dark."
Durand spent the night strengthening the web he had spun to destroy hisenemy. He passed to and fro among those who had been arrested in theraid and he arranged the testimony of some of them to suit his case.More than one of the men caught in the dragnet of the police waswilling to see the affray from the proper angle in exchange forprotection from prosecution.
After breakfast Durand went to the Tombs, where Clay had beentransferred at daybreak.
"You needn't bring the fellow here," he told the warden. "I'll goright to his cage and see him. I wantta have a talk with him."