Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-01
CHAPTER v.
A Horror in the Dark.

The necklace; OF course, the necklace!
But them" I objected after moment,
''if your theory's correct, we're going right
away from the necklace. You said that Ire
maine had hidden 1t at Edgemere.
YES; but he's no such fool as to come
away and leave 1t hidden there. He's not
the man to make the mistake Miss Croy-
don made-to conceal thing in place
where he can't get 1t again without excit-
ing suspicion. No, no; he took the necklace
with him to New York; he ran no risk IN
doing that: everything had happened Just
as he hoped it would. There was aoso-
lutely no suspicion against him"
He may have hidden 1t somewhere else
in the meantime observed.
Yes, he may have done that" admitted
Godfrey; land yet, why should he? He has
no reason to believe that any suspicion at
taches to him. He'll naturally wish to keep
the pearls by him until he has chance to
sell them one by one. He can't do that
yet-he'n probably arrange trip to Eu-
rope to get rid of them If the necklace is
concealed at all, It's concealed somewhere
in his rooms And II it's there. we'll find
it,"
Long Island City,! yelled the guard,
slamming open the door. Change for New
York.!
We took the 34th street ferry, and ten
minutes later were in a cab hurrying down.
town.
Wen get Simmonds FIRST said Godfrey.
1--WE a sort of reciprocity treaty with him.
Besides. we've got to have an officer to
make the arrest Here we are"
He jumped out. paid the driver, and has
tened up the steps. after him. AS we
entered the room, l saw that a clock regis
tered half.past ten - ~
grizzled. stockily built man, who had
sprunsg. to his feet as we entered All
:'Yes-the other boys have turned In"
That's good-Ive got something big for
you"
simmonds' face flushed with sudden emo
"Reanyr' he stammered. Have you
Tho biggest catch that's been made in
many a day. But remember our agreement
yours the glory, mine the scoop. Not a
word OF this to anybody before daybreak"
''Of course not; Of course not assented
Simmonds, rubbing his hands together
eagerly. What is it?"
You've read about that murder and rob-
berry at the Delroy place near Babylon?"
in Jail down there"
sharply. were going to have him in jail
here inside of twenty minutes.
Simmonds eyes began to glisten.
That would be a big thing" he said
Are you sure of the mani"
Dead sure; but see here. Simmonds.
haven't time to tell you the whole story
now; only 1 assure you. on my word, that
I've evidence against the man which will
convict him Of one murder and perhaps OF
two. Is that enough?"
Yes" said Simmonds instantly. and he
opened drawer. from which he took
pistol and pair of handouts. 'All right"
he added. turning back to us.
That's good! Better have lantern, too,
though"
Think so?'
He took down a little dark lantern, light
ed it. tested 1t, and put 1t in his pocket.
Now I'm ready. Have we far to go?'
"Oh. no: just across the street"
Simmonds started with establishment.
You don't mean the Marathon!" he said.
Just that.
But who is it we're going after?"
"A fellow named Tremaine.''
''Tremainev' simmonds' face grew
banker and banker. why. I know him;
he's been in here to see me. He doesn't
seem at all the kind Of fellow who
would"
$50 hor cried Godfrey. TT was you
who told him about the cippingsE'
Simmonds colored to the eyes.
who told you that2' he stammered.
mo matter; 1t didn't do any harm; play
ed right into our hands. in fact. But you
didn't show your usual perspicacity there,
Simmonds. That fellow Is the most re-
markabe scoundrel I've ever run across
perhaps It's just well l never met him,
or he'd have hypnotized me. too Come
along"
simmonds followed meekly Evidently
he felt his indiscretion deeply: though
didn't think him greatly to blame. Who.
to look at him, would have conceived any
suspicion Of Tremaine? Even yet found
1T difficult to believe him guilty of any
crime: this chain which Godfrey had so
laboriously forged about him-would it
really hold-was 1t really strong in every
link? Or was there some fatal weakness
in it, some unsupported flaw -
Higgins was just shutting the inner
doors. He recognized simmonds at once
Hello" he said; whats up now? No
more murders, l hope?'
do you know whether or not Mr. Ire
maine is in his rooms?" asked Godfrey
Yes, sir; he went up about an hour ago"
You have key to his door?'
I'VE want you to go up with US and open
the door"
"oh, GOMEZ" protested Higgins. That's
going 1t pretty strong. What's Mr.. Ire
maine done?"
NO matter. There's no use holding Off
Higgins. Simmonds here can place you
under arrest and force you to 60"
Wel' see here" said Higgins. turning
that, there's apt t be some bullets flynn
around-hes hot-headed he is. l wish
you'd excuse me. Here's the key-why
can't you open tn door yourself?"
the key Now, you stay down here"
No fear" said Higgins PROMPTLY
Though he added gloomily, "mebbe I'd
better telephone fer some ambulances"
We went softly up the stair and down the
dimly lighted corridor to Tremaine's door.
We could see by the transom that the
room was dark.
II want to surprise him." whispered God
frey. III he has two or three minutes
warning he may be able to get rid of some
evidence. He's probably in bed and we
must get to the bed room door without his
hearing US. How does the bed room door
lie, Lester with reference to this one?"
straight ahead" I answered hoarsely.
That's good: are you ready?"
Yes" said Simmonds, and cooked his
revolver.
AS for me grasped my stick more firm
ly, glad that IT was stout one.
"All right said Godfrey, and he threw
back the bolt and opened the door,
The room was in absolute darkness save
for the dim stream of light from the hall
We entered cautiously. Godfrey in the lead
Have your lantern ready, Simmonds"
he whispered. and I caught the odor of
heated metal Simmonds obeyed the Or
der.
Two, three. four steps we advanced feel
Ing our way-then 1 heard q startled cry
from Godfrey-an instants pause .
Quick, Simmonds Quicki' he cried In q