Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-09-22
CHAPTER I.

SUDDEN gust of wind IA wrenched the door from God 5s freys grasp and slammed 1t $94&W with a 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 ofl1ce now temporarily in charge of the devious business of the .'Tenderloin," shook his head despond- ently.
 Not thing. Only," he added, his eyes gleaming suddenly with apprecia- tlon, you were right about that De- lanne abduction case. It was all faked up story on the mothers part. She confessed this evening""
 T thought she would if you kept at her." said Godfrey, sitting down with a quick nod of satisfaction. "She hasn't nerve enough to carry through Q thing like that; she's too pink and white. How does it happen you're alonew
 .'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 tba 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- yeloped no special genius in his deal tngs 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 a brilliant theorist and something more. He was not so pa- tient as Slmmonds, but then be was much younger. He had more imagina- tion, 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 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, it had been rather the other way around. It was with Simmonds that Godfrey had long since concluded an alliance offensive and defensive. The one SUD- plemented the other-the eagle gave eyes to the mole; the mole gave the eagle the power of working patiently in the dark. Slmmonds 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. It may be added that without in the least suspecting it 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 on. can't stay loaing here. I wouldn't have stopped at all but for the chance of seeing you"
 "Oh, don't go," protested Simmonds ~I was mighty glad to see you come in was feeling a little lonesome. Wait till this squalls over anyway and have . smoke"
 Godfrey took the proffered cigar and relapsed irto his chair.
 "rm only human" he said as he struck a match. "and besides there's q fascination about you, Simmonds There's always a chance of getting good story out of you. You know more about the criminal history oi New York than any other man living I think. Hello. what's thisf'
 The door flew back with a crash. and a man rushed ina heavy set mar with red cheeks-who stopped, gasp ing, clutching at his throat.
 Godfrey had flask to his lips in ar instant
 Come, brace upr be commanded steruly, skipping the stranger on th, back. Take a swallow of this. That' it."
 aIt seems to me know him." re marked Slmmonds. looking at the flush cd couutenance with cOntemplativ' ge.
 % course you do.- gasped the stran ger. "rm Higgins-th' Marathon" AnC he jerked his head toward the door.
 .Oh. yes" said SlmmOlds- 'You'r' the janitor of the Marathon apartnen house. just across the street.
 "weIl. what's happened at the Mara thony" demanded Godfrey. "Out witt it--
 'Tfs murler..- cried Higgins hoarse Iy. 'T seed him a-layin' on his back =
 He stopped and covered his eyes wih his hands. SimmOads had s~lietly open cd a drawer and slippel revolver int hss pocket. Then le took down the re reiver from his desk phone
 That you. sergeantf" he called This is SImmOnds Send three mel ever to the Marathon right away.
 He put hack the rcceiver with jerk