The Washington times., 1906-11-04
n 10 NJ r. Boyd"
30 Th sum IN m o n 5
brought no answer,
and the youngster.
Mr.. Felix Boyd 5 Of
R. Boydr,


an expression OF dubious apprehension
and misgivings at the closed door of
Boyd's private room. adjoining his Of
hce in Pine street.
Mr.. Boyd. Mr. Boydw
Now there sounded from beyond The
closed door a long. semi-subdued
growl. like that of a Gagged lion dis
turbed. 10 which was supplemented the
single word. much as If the growi
had terminated in a snarl:
"Well?"
a note from Coleman, sir You're
wanted-in a devil Of a hurry
The las, was much more expressive
than elegant. vet il appeared 10 serve
the purpose intended. for ii was echoed
By three heavy strides across the floor
of the inner room. the door Of which
was then opened by Felix Boyd him
self. with his hair disheveled and his
lie and collar awry. and on his face
a look like that OF a college student
wrestling with Euclid.
As a matter of fact, Boyd had been
head, neck. and ears ia a study OF the
complicated evidence bearing upon tho
mysterious Gately abduction and i'm
surance fraui-a case very uotorious
hL InaL lltllt. LllT ihlll iltlh lhNlAAr
stances of which had utterly battied
the brightest lights of the central Of
fce, resulting in a request from in
spector Byrnes that Boyd would exam
Inc the documents and data of the
case. with a view of ferreting out a So
luton Of the mystery. and thus set
the detectives on the right track It
was from a study OF this case that
Boyd had finally arisen, after the re
peated calls of his Office boy
Il thought l told YOU. Terry" he
said. as he emerged from the room.
that I did not wish to be disturbed
for twelve solid hours?'
Except for something strenuous,
sir protested Terry. shaking his head
with convincing eaTnestness. Your
own words. sir something strenuous
Here's a note from Coleman. sir.
Reads strenuous, sir. I'll leave It To
YOU. So ] ventured 70 stir you UP.
Hope you'll excuse me. sir"
Despite his smothered growls, there
was twinkling Of amusement in
B0yd's keen. gray eyes. and smile
almost patcrnal played about his thin,
firm lips as he took the opened note
from the lads hand, and read it.
Felix Join me in room X %. EN-
change Building. Devil own mys-
terry, Rush, I'm waiting. ..
Boyd read the penciIed missive, then
tossed it upon his desk
Strenuous. indeed, Terry" he said
dryly. You did quite right"
Thought you'd say SO, sir
My street coa;. Terry. while
groom my dis0rdered locks. Hat. too.
my lad. Who brought the note?'
Some chap about my size
What mas become of him2'
Il fired him out, sir. before I took
any chance OF disturbing yOu," replied
Terry GowaH. with significant grim
ace. Il feared We both might be fred
unless / did"
mot much danger Of thar, Terry
since / know a good lad when I get
one" laughed Boyd. Remain here
for a time. i'm case telephone"
Before the lad could reply, the door
had closed upon the speaker, and his
steps were echoing down the corridor
stairs.
The bond Of affection between Felix
Boyd and his friend Of the central Of
fee, jimmie Coleman. was a very
strong one. Nothing less than an ap-
peal from Coleman. such as that just
received, or from one Of the great
financial houses to which ne profes-
sionaIly was under obligations. would
have taken Boyd from the matter that
afternoon engaging him.
II was nearly O'Clock when he was
interrupted as described, and within
quarter hour he entered the Exchange
building and FASTENED TO the Office
designated by Coleman.
II was a busy day In the market. the
autumn boom being well under way;
and the noise from The great chamber
OF the stock exchange, a roar like that
OF Niagara heard at a distance. stiI
fell upon his ears as he left the ele-
vaJor at the seventh floor
Upon approaching room x %, Boyd
saw the grouud-glass windows be-
tween L and the corridor did not bear
the firm name OF any occupants, and
he rightly decided that IL was a va
cant office. Yet upon entering, ne did
not ind it moccupicd.
Jimmie Coleman. two policemen. and
Detective Akerman were standing in
the room. while DIT. French. a physi-
clan who had been hurriedly sum
moned, was kneeling beside an IN
conscious man upon the floor.
The Office wGs a rear one. Yet quite
commodiCus. and was entirely desti-
tute OF fuCnituTe-a fact that lent
peculiar significance to the scene that
met Boyd's gaze He was Immediately
Joined by Coleman, however and
quietly asked:
What's the meaning of this. jim
mie?"
You tell me-" replied Coleman. 1T
is a question more easily asked than
answered. Leastwise. until yOnder
man can be put iE shape to explain.
Boyd glanced again at the man upon
the floor. He was well dressed. OF
medium height, and appeared TO be
about fifty years OF age. On one side
Of his brow a dark bruise, extending
well into the hair. plainly indicated
what had befallen him, while. upon
the floor near by, were several strips
of rope, with which he recently had
been bound.
What do you know about him7' in
quired Boyd. reverting To the central
office man.
only what you see" replied Cole
man quietly. "A gent aman passing
through the adjoining corridor heard