heard the
shots or saw shooting. Then there's the gun. Some one's got that gun.
It's up to us to learn who."

"That right."

"Tim Muldoon will do anything he can for me. There's a girl lives with
his mother. Her name's Annie Millikan. She has ways of finding out
things. Better talk it over with her too. We've got to get busy in a
hurry."

"Yes," agreed Whitford. "We'll do that, boy."

"Oh, Clay, I'm sure it's going to be all right!" cried Beatrice, in a
glow of enthusiasm. "We'll give all our time. We'll get evidence to
show the truth. And we'll let you know every day what we are doing."

"How about my going bail for you?" asked her father.

Clay shook his head. "No chance, just yet. Let's make our showing at
the coroner's inquest. I'll do fine and dandy here till then."

He shook hands with them both and was taken back to his cell. But hope
was in his heart now. He knew his friends would do their best to get
the evidence to free him. It would be a battle royal between the truth
and a lie.

CHAPTER XXXIII

BROMFIELD MAKES AN OFFER

A youth with a face like a fox sidled up to Durand in the hotel lobby
and whispered in his ear. Jerry nodded curtly, and the man slipped
away as furtively as he had come.

Presently the ex-prize-fighter got up, sauntered to the street, and
hailed a taxi. Twenty minutes later he paid the driver, turned a
corner, and passed into an apartment house for bachelors. He took the
elevator to the third floor and rang an electric bell at a door which
carried the name "Mr. Clarendon Bromfield."

From the man who came to the door Mr. Bromfield's visitor learned that
he was not well and could receive no callers.

"Just mention the Omnium Club, and say I'm here on very important
business," said Jerry with a sour grin.

The reference served as a password. Jerry was admitted to meet a host
quite unable to control his alarm. At sight of his visitor Bromfield
jumped up angrily. As soon as his man had gone he broke out in a
subdued scream.

"You rotten traitor! Get out of my room, or I'll call the police."

Durand found a comfortable chair, drew a case from his pocket, and
selected a cigar. He grinned with evil mirth.

"You will, eh? Like hell you will. You're hidin' from the cops this
blessed minute. I've just found out myself where you live."

"You took my money and threw me down. You hired a gunman to kill me."

"Now, what would I do that for? I ha