Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-10-13

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through the building
Anything doingF" be 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
''Tenderloin." shook his head despond-
sutly
"Not a thing Only" ne added. bis
eyes cleaning suddenly with apprecia-
ton. you We're right about that De
lame abduction case. Il was all a
faxed up story on the mothers part.
She confessed this evening"
Il thought she would il you kept at
her" said Godfrey. sitting down with
a quick nod OF satisfaction. "She
hasn't nerve enough 10 carry through a
thing Ike that: she's too pink and
white. How does IL happen you're
aloneE''
"Johnston's gone down TO Philadel-
phia 10 bring back Riggs. tho forger.
Fleming's got the grip. Bad night"
There was n 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 a 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. 10 fact. and though ne had de-
veloped no special genius In his deal
ings with crime he possessed a matter
OF fact Industry and personal courage
which had frequently achieved success.
In the end his chief had come 10 trust
him greatly. probably because the bril-
liant theorists OF the force made so
many unfortunate mistakes.
Godfrey was n brilliant theOrist and
something more. He was not SO pa
tent as Simmonds. but then he was
much younger. He had more magma
tion. and perhaps his greatest weak
ness was that he preferred pictures cue
solutions 90 commonplace ones. Dur
ing his three years connection with the
force he had won four OF five notable
victories. SO notable. indeed. that they
attracted the attention OF the Record
management. The end OF III was that
Godfrey resigned his badge and en-
tered the Record office as criminal cx-
pert climbing gradually % the position
OF star reporter. Since then the Record
had not waited on the police: indeed. IL
had been rather the other way around.
II was with Simmonds that Godfrey
had long since concluded an alliance
offensive ana defensive. The one sup
plemented the other-the eagle gave
eyes 10 the mole: the mole gave the
eagle the power OF working patiently
In the dark Slmmonds kept GOdfrey
I'm touch with police affairs; Godfrey
enabled Simmonds TO make a startling
arrest now and then. Godfrey cot the
story. Simmouds got the glory. and
both were satisfied. IL may be added
that without in the least suspecting 10
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 10 button up his
coat
Nevertheless" he said. I've got TO
be moving on. ! can't stay loafing
here. wouldn't have stopped az all
but for the chance OF seeing you"
oh. don't 60" protested Smmonds
Il was mighty glad 10 see you come in
/ was feeling a little lonesome. Wait
till this squalls over anyway and have
n smoke"
Godfrey took the pronered cigar and
relapsed into his chair.
TN only human" he said as he
struck a match. 'and besides there's
n fascination about you. Smmonds.
There's always a chance OF getting a
good story out OF you. You know
more about the criminal history OF
New York than any other man living,
/ think. Hello, what's thisE"
The door Jew back with a crash. and
a man rushed in-a heavy set man
with red cheeks-who stopped. gasp
ing. clutchlng at his throat.
Godfrey had a flask TO his lips in an
instant
Come. brace up" he commanded
sternly. Shaping the stranger on the
back. Take a swallow OF this. That's
IT."
1T seems 20 me know him." re-
marked SimmOnds. looking at the flush
ed couutenance with contemplative
eye.
90 course you do" gasped the stran-
ger. I'm Higgius-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
thonT" demanded Godfrey. "Out with
itw
Its MURDER" cried Higgins hoarse-
ly. II seed him a-layln' on his back
He stopped and covered his eyes with
his hands. SimmOnds had quietly open
ed a drawer and slipped a revolver into
his pocket Then he took down the re-
ceiver from his desk phone.
THAT you. sergeant| he called.
This is Simmonds. Send three men
over TO the Marathon right away"
He put back the receiver with a jerk.
Godfrey twirled the Janitor sharply