The Washington times., 1906-11-04
III


row. Come with me. Jimmie. Time
flies.
III
Very few persons. however familiar
with the facts brought to the notice
OF Mr.. Felix BOYD. would have discov-
cred iH them anything AT all encour-
aging Even his friend OF the central
office. despite the fact that Coleman
was possessed Of keen discnrnment and
had had years cf experience. found
himself utterly baffied when he strove
10 find one promising clue amid the
CirCumst ances
The robbery had been 50 cleverly
planned snd deliberately executed. the
the actual identity Of the criminals
was So uncertain despite the descrip-
lions obtained, and the interval so long
since the escape Of the thieves. that
Coleman really could see no way by
which 10 light upon the scoundrels.
save those Of weary watching and In
definite bounding ordinarily adopted al
The central Office.
Mr.. Felix Boyd. however rarely
operated along tho lines Of the or
dnary detective Until his analysis
of a case warranted one bold move by
which ne could feel sure OF success.
BOYD invariably displayed no active
lnteres; in the affair. once he felt as
sured. however. no man of the force
ever struck m, re quickly or boldly.
Jimmie Coleman WIS very well aware
OF these characteristics. yet he could
not believe that BOYD already had
already formed a definite opinion OF
the case. or resolved upon any decided
plan. As they left the Office OF Dunn
& Raidam. therefore. ne casually re-
marked
"A deucediy unpromising case. Felix.
eh2'
Boyd glanced sharply about the cor
ridor before ne replied. making sure
that no eve was upon them. Then he
quietly replied:
Not at all. Jimmie"
What
It's as SIMPLE as two times two.
The outlook is perfect"
The devil you say.
Careful. dear fellow The walls
may have ears, or the next corner con
ceal a spy."
"You think YOU may be watched?''
Possibly. You know the Big Fin
GER
"win YOU explain if I go to your Of
hce?'
You are not to go there" mur-
INJURED Boyd with eyes constantly
alert as the two men descended the
stairs. Il have other plans. Jimmie"
Namely
Take my instructions quickly. for
We must part at the sidewalk" Boyd
now whispered hurriedly. Il wish you
and Detective Akerman TO meet me in
Gibs0n's saloon. in Harlem. at 3
o'clock Do you know the place."
VERY well"
Leave the central office separately,
Jimmie. both of YOU in disguise. and
rejoln ons another In Harlem. Then
walt in GIbson's back room until 1
come. Are you on?''
Surely"
Have a brace Of guns with YOU,
for we may need them"
Trust nc for that. Felix"
slip away. now. and display no
haste IN going TO headquarters" add
ed Boyd. significantly I'll rejoln
You at CibsCn's at ) o'clock sharp.
Coleman merely nodded. ana the TWO
men .Darted the moment they reached
the sidewalk.
BOYD proceeded down Wall Street,
walked AT a moderate pace. and re
turned TO his office
He was c9nvlnced. bv the clever
charlc.tr Of the robbery committed
that morning. that il could have been
devised and executed only BY the
crafty gang then operating below the
dead-Hne. directed by that master
knave who 50 long had evaded his
most artful and strenuous efforts 10
corner him. in [ obscure criminal chief
known Cnlv rs tie Big Finger
That the latter seriously feared him,
moreover. and invariably had him
under cso'oaage when engaged ia
any of lis Infamous operations. Boyd
had learned from repeated experiences;
vet. as Ee re,u'ned 10 his office IN PINE
street. he could discover no sign of a
shadow ~ on his movements despite
an instructive onVicition tEat he was
being constantly watched.
Boyd governed Eirself ACCORDINGLY.
with view to binding any spy 70 the
fact that he already was actuatrd 10y
a definite theory concerning the rob
berry. thus impartin~ 10 the thieves an
assurance that they might safely take
any immediate steps desired or wi.at
their first step would consist. Boyd felt
comparatively sure-sO sure that he
was about 10 bank heavil upon lis
conviction.
FIo remained in his Office until
o'clock. then we7J To his home. in
F'ifty-ninth street. There ae tel phoDed
for a physician WHO called half al
hour later. and remained about ten
minutes. At haif-past four. the dusk
Of a November afternoon began TO fall.