The Washington times., 1906-11-04
THE CASE OF THE VACANT OFFICE

i@NlutAt4E-
"What does French say?"
"ie thinks he presently can bring
him 70 time.
Not seriously hurt. then" remarked
Boyd. with an eye on the physicians
movements. Have you made any
inquiries. Jimmie, tn the adjoining
Of4icesT'
Yes. In both of them" replied Cole
man. with a nod. Ne persons were
seen entering here. nor were there any
sounds of a disturbance heard by any
one about here. Until the victim him
self can explain. The affair Is shrouded
in mystery"
Have YOU searched him?"
Yes. His pockets are as empty as
when his garments came from his
tailor"
ROBBED. eh?"
NO doubt of it. guess"
Have YOU questioned the janitor?"
yes. He states that this office has
not been occupied for about a month.
and that the door is usually kept
locked. He cannot account FOR the
fact that strangers gained admission"
Have parties been here lately 10
look At ihe office"
Not for more than a week
"Who last occupied ito"
Kelly & GrigEs. the brokers"
IT know both Of them to be honest"
murmIred Boyd thoughtfully. "Ah'
DIR. French appears 10 be meeting with
success"
Under the physicians vigorous min
istrations the injured man was show
ing signs Of recoverv-a low moan, a
. 10 daer,ar-
inhalation Of breath.
Throw omen that end window.
Jimmie" said BOYD. do you think.
doctor. If we sit him upright against
trc vail. It will accelerate his recov-
eryr'
Very likely. Mr.. Boyd. now tna'
iS-- All! that's better
swallow of this. my friend
The stranger. now raised 20 a si''lhs
posture against the wall had opeh1n
his eyes, and he mutely drank
swallow from the flask the physician
placed at his lips The stinulant hau
salutary effect for a tinge or color
almost Immediately imbued the mans
checks. and he muttered confusedly
Good heavens, what's happened
Am I iU. or-Ah! you need not 'ell
mei remember-now.
BOYD drew nearer, and inelt down
to address him.
''FeeIing a bit better. eh?' said he
in encourag gine fashion. Il think you re
not seriously hurt, sir. Pull your
self together, and try 10 tell us Just
what befel you. II may be worth
something. YOU know, If we're TO land
the miscreant guilty OF this job
I'm clear enough now. sir. re-
Piled the stranger, with a dubious
attempt to smile. My head feels
like a tub. and aches like the devil;
but I reckon the ours have not quite
done me up
Tell ma all about It. that We may
get after them" said Boyd. What
is your name?'
John PERI" was the reply, and
the speaker braced himself higher
against the wall TIN from Kansas.
and arrived in New York at II o'clock
this morning. What time IS Il now2'
After ." replied Boyd. Lets
know how you were lured into this
trap. for it plainly was trap. Can
You recall all OF circumstances"
"Oh, yes" nodded Perry I'm
clear enough now, and fit 20 give
those ours as good as they sent All!
they've got my watch and money.
I'm lucky it's no worse"
state the circumstances. please"
repeated Boyd. bit impaientiy.
I'VE wish to land the TasCais. if pos
sible and time IS valuable
Il can state the facts very briefly"
Perry now rejoined. I'm a stranger
here: haven't set foot in New York
for nearly ten years. I have busi--
ness with Dunn & Raddam, the bank
ers. and was heading for their office
when this scurvy trick was turned
on me"
How was it done? What led you
TO this vacant Officer
That's easily explained. sir. Just
as I was entering this building. on
my way to Dunn & Raddman's office.
one OF their clerks stopped me-
You mean a man who claimed TO
be one of their clerks" put in Boyd.
Il reckon that's about the size Of
il" admitted Perry. with a dismal
smile AT any rate, sir, he Gre-
sented a business card bearing the
name of the firm mentioned. and in
quired if 1 was AIr- Perry. from kan
sas."
And then?"
HE said he believed he was right.
Judging from my travellers coat and
the broad felt hat I wore. I see that
the rascals have relieved me of them.
also"
= observed that vour coat and hat
We're missing" replied Boyd. What
sort of a coat was it2"
A long linen coat. for protection
from dust on the train"
And the hat?'
"One of gray felt. with a broad
brim-less in style here. I reckon.
than In Kansas" explained the West
erner. Evidently the scoundreI iden-
tilted me by those or took me for
some countryman."
Possibly" Boyd dryly admitted.
What did he say TO you?'
He stated that Dunn & Raddam
had just moved into a new office.
and that he would show me the way
to 1t. as lac was returning from tile
bank"
Were YOU expected at Dunn &
Raddam's offce?" demanded BOYD.
abruDtly.
Yes. I had written them that /
would call at noon today"
Go on"
THE fellow who had stopped me