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gun belched flame a second time
before Delaney’s bullet sent him thudding back against the wall. Jackson stood
shaking, glancing to left and right, looking for an out.

    The detective’s hand was suddenly shadowed by a revolver.
“I want you two birds,” he snapped.
    And then Delaney’s
singed, calm face came up through a ring of powder smoke.
    â€œI usually mean what I
say,” he rapped. “Walk right ahead of me, quick, and never mind those coats.
You won’t need ’em where you’re going.”
    Jackson and Connely
walked stiffly, the latter holding his shoulder and moaning. The bartender
tried to catch Delaney’s attention and apologize, but the detective walked out
through the doors unheeding.
    At the car, the
detective removed an oddly limp blackjack from Jackson, pulled two pairs of
handcuffs out of the side pocket and snapped them on docilely offered wrists.
    â€œListen,” whined
Jackson. “Can’t we talk business on this thing?”
    â€œNo. Get in.”
    The two slumped into
the seat, looking helplessly about, shivering slightly as the night breeze cut
through their shirt sleeves. While Delaney was starting the car, Jackson spoke
again.
    â€œListen. I got ten
grand in a safe-deposit box—”
    â€œShut up!” rasped
Connely. “He’ll get us for bribery! Ain’t you got any sense?”
    Delaney drove the car
for several blocks before the two noticed that they weren’t heading for the
police station.
    â€œListen,” said
Connely, “I gotta get this shoulder fixed. I’ll bleed to death.”
    â€œGo ahead,” Delaney
snapped. “It’ll save the state the price of electricity.”
    â€œAw, have a heart,
copper. We didn’t mean no harm.” Connely stopped long enough to emit a
heart-rending moan.
    â€œI’m going to take you
birds with me,” said the detective. “I’ve got a little research to do, and
after that we’ll go back to the station house and try out the rubber hose on
you. I’ve got an idea that it’ll work.”
    Jackson grunted
dolefully.
    â€œYou don’t have to do
that, copper. We’ll spill right now if you want us to.”
    â€œGo ahead.”
    â€œIf we turn state’s
evidence, will you let us off?” demanded Connely, miraculously reviving.
    â€œI’m not promising you
birds anything. I don’t have to have your dope. I’ve got just about all I need
right now. The big boy talked plenty fast.”
    â€œYou mean—” began
Jackson.
    â€œShut up,” hissed
Connely. “He’s baiting us.”
    Jackson’s mouth took
on a traplike aspect. Jammed as he was between the wounded Connely and the
unmoved Delaney, he cautiously tried to find out how close he could come to
wrecking the car. But Delaney’s hands were steel clamps on the spokes .
    â€œScared, aren’t you?”
said Delaney evenly. “All I can say is, you’ll be a whole lot more scared in a
couple hours.”
    Ahead, the gutted
ruins of Tyler’s Department Store loomed. Several bluecoats were posted there
now, keeping out any possible looters who might try to get away with charred
valuables. Smoke still hung about the structure like a dreary cloak.
    The detective drew up
to the curb and called to an officer to keep an eye on the two occupants of the roadster . Borrowing a flashlight, he went into the building and stayed for
several minutes. Presently he came out and climbed in under the wheel.
    â€œNeed any help?”
queried the policeman.
    â€œNo, thanks,” said
Delaney. “You got any idea where I can find Blaze Delaney?”
    â€œHuh! He’s all over
the city tonight. I heard there were sixteen fires going at the same time.” The
officer stepped back and thought for a moment. “I can call the fire department
for you.”
    â€œGo ahead,” said
Delaney.
    In a few seconds,