Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-11-20

9 with bang that echoed
through the building.
Anything doing" he asked as he
tapped til; rain from his coat.
Simmonds, the grizzled veteran Of
the central office, now temporarily In
charge of the devious business Of the
'Tenderloin," shook his head despond-
emily.
Not a thing. Only" he added, his
eyes cleaning suddenly with apprecia-
tion, you were' right about that De-
lame abduction case. It was all
faxed up story on the mothers part.
She confessed this evening"
Il thought she would II You kept at
her." said Godfrey, sitting down with
quick nod Of satisfaction. "She
hasn't nerve enough to carry through q
thing like that; she's too pink and
white. How does 1t happen you're
alone"
"JohnstOn's gone down to Philadel.
phia to bring back Riggs, the forger.
Fleming's got the grip. Bad night"
There was a certain similarity in the
faces of the two men, especially In the
expression Of the eyes and mouth.
Age, however. had given to Simmonds'
features trace Of stolIdity which was
wanting in those of his companion. He
had been connected with the central Of
flee for many years, was dean Of the
force, in fact, and though he had de-
veloped no special genius in his deal
ings with crime he possessed matter
of fact industry and personal courage
which had frequently achieved success.
In the end his chief had come to trust
him greatly, probably because the bril-
liant theorists of the force made so
many unfortunate mistakes.
Godfrey was brilliant theorIst and
something more. He was not so pa
tIent as Simmonds, but then he was
much younger. He had more imaglna.
ton, and perhaps his greatest weak
ness was that he preferred picturesque
solutions to commonplace ones. Dur
ing his three years. connection with the
force he had won four or five notable
victories, so notable, indeed, that they
attracted the attention Of the Record
management. The end of 1t was that
Godfrey resigned his badge and en-
tered the Record Office as criminal ex.
pert, climbing gradually to the position
of star reporter. Since then the Record
had not waited on the police: Indeed 1t
had been rather the other way around.
It was with Simmonds that Godfrey
had long since concluded an alliance
offensive and defensive. The one sup
plemented the other-the eagle gave
eyes to the mole; the mole gave the
eagle the power Of working patiently
in the dark. Smmonds kept Godfrey
In touch with police affairs; Godfrey
enabled Simmonds to make startling
arrest now and then. Godfrey got the
story. SimmOnds got the glory. and
both were satisfied. 1t may be added
that without In the least suspec,ins II
the mole was considerably under the
influence of the eagle. Brains natural.
ly lead industry. Besides. the blind
must have guidance.
They listened until the gust OF wind
died away down the street, then God
frey arose and began to button UP his
coat.
Nevertheless" he said. I've got to
be moving Oh. can't stay loaflnS
here. | wouldn't have stopped ut all
but for the chance of seeing YOU
"Oh, don't co." protested Simmonds.
II was mighty glad to see You come IN.
was feeling q little lonesome. Wait
till this squalls over anyway and have
u smoke"
Godfrey took the prof!ered cigar and
relapsed into his chair.
I'm only human" lie said as he
struck a match, land besides there's
fascination about yoa. S:mmondS.
There's always Il chance Of getting
good story out of you. You know
more about the criminal history or
New York than any other man living.
l k. lAtlIO, W hat e'''"'
The door flew back with crash. ana
man rushed in-a heavy set man
with red cheeks-who stopped. gasp
ing, clutching ut his throat.
Godfrey had flask to his lips In an
instant.
"Come. brace up!' he commanded
steruly. slapping the stranger on the
back. "rake Il swallow OF this. ha'
it."
"It seems to me know him." re-
marked Simmonds. looking mt the flush
ed couutenance with contemplative
| eye.
go course you do," gasped the stran'
ger. I'm Higgins-th' Marathon" And
he jerked his head toward the door.
"Oh, yes" said Simmonds. You're
the janitor Of the Marathon apartment
house. just across the street"
"Well. what's happened at the Mara
thon?" demanded Godfrey. "Out with
itw
ats murtler: cried Higgins hoarse.
". 81 seed him a-layin' Oh his back
He stooped and covered his eyes with
his hands. SimmOnds had quietly open
ed !, drawer and slipped revolver into
his pocket. Then he took down the re-
ceiver from his desk phone.
"Tlat YOU. sergeant" he called
.sThis Is Simmonds. Send three men
over to tie Marathon right away"
Tie put hack the receiver with jerk.
Godfrey twlrled the janitor sharply
around In the direction Of the door.
"GO ahead" he commanded, and
pushed rather than led him out into
| the storm.
They made a dash for 1t through the
rain, which was still pouring In tor
| rents. E.llfway across the street they
| deserted a cab standing ut the farther
| curb and veered to the right to avoid
It.
"Here we are." said Higgins. running
up a short flight Of steps into a light
| ed vestibuIe. Its in SCOT fourteen
second floor"
They sprang up the stairs without
thinking Of the elevator-one flight
two. Higgins began to choke again.
A single door stood open, throwing
a broad glare of light across the hall
way.
"Its there said Higgins. and stop
ped to gasp for breath.
Il =, a., - NJ. M tpokoy,f