“Clarendon had an appointment with a stool pigeon who was going to turn State’s witness. We found out later that the stool had been put on the spot before he had a chance to meet Clarendon.
“While Clarendon was waiting, a car pulled up, and he saw the muzzle of a machine gun poked out through the curtains. He thought he was going to get his. But the car moved on.
“He told us about it. Since then, he’s been watching out.”
“They were going to get him?”
“We don’t know, Barney. Maybe they mistook Clarendon for some one else. More likely, they were after the stool pigeon who was due there. Perhaps they intended to give Clarendon the works, but got cold feet.
“We don’t know. Clarendon was too surprised to get the number of the car. He was scared. I don’t blame him. That’s all there is to it; so forget it.”
The reporter lighted a cigarette.
“Thanks, Barney,” he said. “All that dope is good to know, in case I ever am allowed to use it. I think I’ll be ankling up to the Goliath, to see what’s doing on the outside.”
Some of gangland’s choicest battlers arrived at the hotel shortly after Jerry Kirklyn took his position there.
Every gang leader of prominence was slated to arrive. Their chief lieutenants and pet killers were also to be present. Only those who were in hiding, and those who were in jail, were not expected.