Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-07-09
getting suspicious? 2"

III 6SesAAo k-
Barnes.
"Of what?"
"Ti.at l have been fooled"
"How's that?"
This chap Ellison might, for all I
know. be one of the gang who ie In.
terested In the man we are seeking"
Cant believe that"
We'll, don't like to believe 1t.
either" grumbled the chief, "and II
he has played us trick l fail to see
what he will gain by 1t; besides
took care to look the man up. He
is the brother of banker Of wealth
and repute, but perhaps 1t none tho
better for that" He was silent for
moment and then, You see was
getting desperate and ready to take
any chances. The failure to capture
this man made us the laughing stock
of the town, and for one was get
ting tired of 1t, so I was ready to seize
any straw"
Il fully understand" replied Thorne,
who since Barnes had engineered the
thing would not have been sorry II
the whole affair turned out gorgeous
humbug. But he did not venture to
express any of these thoughts aloud;
what he did remark was:
IT'S too soon to give up all hope
yet Strange things happen in mat.
tiers like this-and we must be patient.
but somehow have prenonition
that all Is not right" straining his
eyes as If he would pierce the secrets
OF the forbiddlng black building that
lowered beyond them.
Il wish l hadn't made deal with
the fellow shaking his head.
I'VE have TO bargain when 1t comes
to getting on the track of O slippery
individual such as we are looking for"
replied Inspector Thorne, In voice
that meant to be consoling.
He had hardly delivered this short
speech, when suddenly the crack of
pistol shot rang through the silence.
The two men started--then, without q
word, they set off on a run toward the
alloy that ran along the side of the
strange hotel.
Barnes had received minute direc-
TONS" and knew how to proceed His
men, running forward from all direc-
tons (and there were enough Of them
to have captured squad Of rogues).
trance OF the alley. He gave them
hurried directions about guarding APP
proaches to the place. and they depart
ed grumbingly into the shadows, IN
dignant that they were nj allowed to
take prominent part In the capture.
Nov. then, Thorne," exclaimed the
chief. see to your gun, and follow me-"
ana WIN lneSe WORDS ne OdSHeQ On up
the alley at a wonderful speed for q
man of his weight.
When the inspector came up with his
superior he was standing before an
open window, which led into the base
ment of the place. A Pickering light
was seen for a moment in the gloom.
but as they looked 1t suddenly disap-
peared.
The two police officers for moment
regarded each other in silence.
Not going to plunge into that black
hole, are you?" asked Thorne, with q
shiver
1T don't look exactly right. There
should be a light there replied the
other. But since there is none, why,
we must supply it, So saying, he
took folding dark lantern out Of his
pocket. shook it into shape, lit the cam
Ole within, and said gri1nly, I'VE have
gone too far to retreat now, so come on.
and the devil tnlle the hindmost." With
this. holding the lantern In one hand,
he scrambled over the sill of the VIM
dow and let himself drop to the floor.
He was followed little later by In
spector Thorne.
Its suspiciously silent" muttered
Barnes, as he waved the lantern back
and FORTH and peered into the corners
of the room.
CONTINUED Next week.9