Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-11-30

II ~ L SOD4INAN SuSb VI llu
lAl wrenched the door from God
S1SS frey's grasp and slammed it
$&&2J with bang that echoed
through the building.
Anything doing!' he asked as he
tapped the rain from his coat.
Simmonds, the grizzled veteran Of
the central office, now temporarily in
charge of the devious business of the
"Tenderloln," shook his head despond-
emily.
mot thing. Only" he added, his
eyes cleaning suddenly with apprecia-
ton, you were right about that De-
lame abduction case. 1t was all a
faxed up story on the mothers part.
She confessed this evening""
II thought she would If you kept at
her," said Godfrey, sitting down with
q quick nod Of satisfaction. "She
hasn't nerve enough to carry through a
thing like that; she's too pink and
white. How does it 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 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
fee 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 q matter
Of fact industry and personal courage
which had frequently achieved success.
In the end his chief had como to trust
him greatly. probably because the bril-
liant theorists of tho force made 80
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 magma
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 I'VE notable
victories, so notable. indeed, that they
attracted the attention Of the Record
management. The end Of It 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, II
had been rather the other way around
1t 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. Simmonds kept Godfrey
in touch with police affairs; Godfrey
enabled Simmonds to make q startling
arrest now and then. Godfrey got the
story, Simmonds got the glory, and
both were satisfied, It may be added
that without In the least suspecting 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, 1--WE got to
be moving on. can't stay loading
here. I wouldn't have stopped at al
but for the chance Of seeing YOU.
"'Oh. don't co." protested simmonds
II was mighty glad to see you come In
I was feeling little lonesome. Wal,
till this squalls over anyway and have
a smoke"
Godfrey took the pronered cigar and
relapsed into his chair.
"I'm only human" he said rs be
struck a match. land besides there.
a fascination about you, 8immonds
There's always chance Of getting 6
good story out of you. You know
more about the criminal history Of
New York than any other man living
think. Hello. what's this7''
The door few back With crash, and
a man rushed ina heavy set mar
with red cheeks-who stopped. gasp
ing, clutching at his throat.
/ Godfrey had dask to bis lips in ar
instant. *s
"Come, brace up" he commanded
eternly, Shaping the stranger on thu
back. ..'Take a swallow Of this. That:
1t"
at seems to me I know him." 70
marked Simmonds, looking at the flush
ed countenance with coutsmplativt
eye.
10 course you do" gasped the stran
ger "I'm Higgins-th' Marathon" AnG
he jerked his head toward the door.
ooh, yes" said Simmonds. you're
the janitor of the Marathon apartment,
house, just across the street"
"Well. what's happened at the Mara
thonY demanded Godfrey. "Out witt
itw
Its murder!" cried Higgins hoarse
y. II seed him a-layin' on his back
He stopped and covered his eyes witt
his hands. Simmonds had quietly open
I'D a drawer and slipped a revolver intt
his pocket. Then he took down the re
celver from his desk phone. =
THAT you, sergeant7'' he called
'"This Is Simmonds. Send three mer
over to the Marathon right away"
He put back the receiver with jerk
Godfrey twirIed the janitor sharpl,
around in the direction of the door.
go ahead" he commanded, an,
pushed rather than led him out int,
the storm