Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-31

for public favor with the restaurants,
whose clouded windows yelled tempting
delicacies from the unlicensed eye
Bob Halliday. reporter for the Morning
Times turned out of Market street and
walked briskly along Montgomery street,
praying 10 all the gods of journalism that
something might turn up. He was out on a
rowing commission, which means that the
Times was short of live local news for the
next mornings issue, and had sent out It's
star man hustling for thrill to serve
up with eggs and toast at San Francisco
breakfast table. As yet Halliday had failed
To corner even the ghost of a sensation.
Nothing capable of being worked into
STORY had crossed his path that day
Passing Jackson street without even
glance, he struck into the tangle of North
Beach and dropped into substation No. 4.
y griZZled captain stood at the desk blot
ting an entry, while from the tanks is
sued the harsh scream of the female drunk
whose sins We're being written in the book
of doom.
The reporter nodded a good evening.
Anything eXtra?" he asked.
The captain shook his head with don't
bother air, and carefully examined the en-
try The reporter stared. He accuS-
toned to the idiOsyncrasies of hundred
different kinds of men, but this particular
officer had always been laxative to the eX
tent of boredom. His journalistic nose
shifted the air. Something wrong in the
police department evidently Perhaps
scandal, Might be scoop in it for the
Morning Times. He stepped outside and
peered through the window.
"Old man looks serious" he muttered.
I'D better stay awhile" He walked back
into the station. Think I'll sit down and
rest he said, secretly noting the captains
annoyed look. Been trotting all day. Be-
sides, something may drop in. Have
cigar?"
Thanks"
The telephone bell rang sharply. The
captain started.
Nerves" thought the reporter. Didn't
know "A policeman SuDDOSgi TO have
any
The officer stood at the phone with the
Receiver to his ear. He was trying 10
look unconcerned, but his brow puckered
into heavy frown.
Hello he answered. Nothing yet?
Well keep a sharp lookout. Foley,
and telephone if you hear anything.
Water front post" muttered the re-
porter. That's prOmisingr'
For weary half hour he held up his
end Of a conversation. but the captain an
swered in monosyllables. A long ash hung
from his cold cigar, but he still gripped 1t
between his teeth. putting nervously. Look
ing up suddenly from the contemplation of
the office rules, the Journalist caught the
officer regarding him stealthily-
Say the captain burst out want
scoop"
I'll take one with you"
Well: if you'll hold back the news till
the paper goes to press you can have IL all
to yourself. But promise-if the thing
comes out all right. you say nothing.
It's a GO.
The captain nodded his satisfaction. The
reporters word was better than his papers
bend and the officer knew it. He reit his
cigar blew "A thick cloud and began to
speak
Two hours ago. he said, 1.-The night re-
liefs went out under Sergeant Crossman.
He was TO post them on his way down,
gather in the last man, and-you know the
water front beat2
Halliday signiied his knowledge.
Well he was 10 pick up the last man
there and raid a sailors boarding house
his way back. Some shanghains there
last night"
some tough places along there" com
mented the other:
Two hours ago" continued the captain,
locking at his watch. "he posted Foley on
that beat He's not been seen nor heard
Of since! And what's more-twelve patrol
men have disappeared with him.!
"Ph-e-e-e-w!' whist!ed Halliday. What's
become of emf?
Wish | knew. / don't want to report to
the central office while there's a ghost of a
show of them turning up. Cheeseman's a
careful officer. with good record. I'll give
him till II o'clock.
The two men sat cheek by jowl and
smoked heavily all evening. Business was
a little slack at the station parade up
tcwn had drawn off the floating population
and the captains lambs were being gather
ed into other folds. While they waited the
, reporter told curious tales of the rise of the
400 but the captain heard them not: his
mind was busily tracking thirteen shadowy
policemen through forty and one probable
.catastrophes. When the station clock struck
Il he pulled his feet off the table, rose and
stretched himself.
The story's up to you," he said, but
don't forget to say word for me-"
STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE OF A
SQUAD OF POLICEi
SERGEANT AND TWELVE MEN SPIR-
TIED AWAY
NO TRACE OF THE MISSING MEN,
The front page of the Morning .rr....es