The Washington times., 1906-09-23

yet away down in the depths of his
cold. gray eyes there was a gleam not
there before
Remain few moments, Sandersoh,
said he care.essiy. Il do not enjoy
lunching alone. in no great hurry
are your
Not particularly"
sit until / have finished my soup
then. DO you know, s3nderson.
often nnd il difficult to concentrate
my mind for any long period. It's not
an easv thing % do"
Il certainly found IL difficult" smiled
the other. perceIvins no artitice on
Boyd's part ''I suffered my mind 10
cheat my stomach fun hour"
You were the last to leave the bank.
eh2" inquired Boyd, giancing indiffer-
entity over the several occupants of
the room, 20 make sure ne knew them.
ana was not being watched by any
stranger.
THE very last" nodded sanderson.
yet that is not unusual. 7 frequently
am the last 70 leave
You close the vault IN that case,
don't you2'
Certainly"
Are the vault doors secured by
combjuati0n-lock or by a time lock-
a time lock. Nh Boyd. IL now IS
set for nine o'clock Monday morning.
Until that day and hour. Boyd, the
devil himself could not open that vault
which is one Of the best In the city
Until that day and hour, then,
quietly observed Felix Boyd, with
curious smile, the time-lock on the
vault door. and Kramer valuable
clock reposing securely IN his tin box
may merrly tick away the seconds IN
genial company
Just So" laughed Sanderson-
Bright thought. that"
Friend of yours, this Kramer, did
you say?'
Acquaintance. rather. have
known him only about two months,
since he became our tenant"
''Yeung man?"
About forty, I should say. A genial
fellow. Taken me to the theater sew
eral times. with a bird and bottle 10
follow: complimentary. no doubt, In
recognition OF my little favors.'
Yes. very likely" said Boyd. with
unappFeCiated dTyness.
'Wen. III now be OF. Glad 70 have
seen YOU. Mr.. Boyd.
You are dead lucky 10 have seen me
far uckier than you imagine!' Boyd
mentally observed. as Sanders0n de-
parted. yet the luck IS not all his,
not quite alli since a slice Of IL comes
my way"
The light in his keen, gray eyes was
burning brighter. at times intensely.
A look OF serious concern now and
tnen appeared In his fine, forceful face
He finished his soup IN q hurry and
countermanded his order for suDse-
aueut courses
Having paid his bill and emerged TO
the street. however. he betrayed no
further sign Of his unusual mental
activity. That the eyes OF a spy
might be watching him az every
available moment. he now had scarce
g doubt. without g suspicious glance
In any direction. however, he mOder-
ately proceeded 20 his once IN Pine
street. where self-Festraiut was not
deemed quite so imperative.
My grip. Terry" he cried sharply,
addressing his Office boy. Look
lively"
EITHER that or am away OF my
an, but 7 am nOti II must be that-it
must be thatr'
Must be what. sir7'
Don't bother me with questions.
Here. send this wire; then return at
once. Wait"
Yes. sir"
Don't betray any haste Crafty
eyes may observe you. and shrewd de-
ductions be drawn"
''All right sir. I'm wise"
BE on. then"
The lad vanished.
Boyd sprang up from his desk. at
which he had written a dispatch 10
GTimshaw 4 Co. stating that he would
leave .or Boston by the Fall River Iine
that afternoon.
'"The boat goes at g." he muttered.
glanclng at his watch. 1T now is
neayly 4 Just about time to make
ready"
Entering the small side room ad-
joining, in which he kept a wardrobe
that would have stirred the envy Of
the mpst versatile character-actor OF
the age. he quickly packed In his grip
a disguise TO be used a little later,
and Included also brace Of trusty
revolvers.
lie had just secured the last strap
about the bag when Terry GOWau re-
turned. followed a few moments later
by Jimmie Coleman
"HeIo!' exclaimed the detectivs,
who observed the grip. Have you
decided 10 go to Boston,"
Il have decided 10 make a bluff at
il. Jimmie" Boyd quickly observed.
"A bluff az a., What DO you meau?'
demanded C-'eman. startled less by
the announcement than 10y the omi-
nous ring i'm Boyd's subdued voice.
Il have only time to give you hint
at what I mean. Jimmie. Boyd hur-
ritdly ansN cred. There's a devils
own game afoot That wire from Grim
shaw is only a decoy. scheme to get
me out of New York over sunday
The dickens
Their more serious attempts upon
my life having failed. that wire was
the last resort OF this crteTie Of knaves.
bv which 90 insure my absence at the
elimination OF their long protracted
work II shows that they fear me.
Jimmie; fear me beyond telling-and
not without reason, I will land them
yet-Iard them yet, the renegades'"
Good heaveas," cried Coleman,
amazed al Boyd's rare display of feel
ing What do you suspect?'
'I must tell YOU in a nutshell, jim