The Washington times., 1906-11-04

the second floor front were drawn, and
tie room lighted. Next Boyd sum-
moned the butler and gave him his In
structions
At six o'clock. the light in Boyd's
chamber was extinEuished. At a quar-
ter before seven his doOr-bell rang. and
the butler responded. a man on the
front steps courteously inquired:
rs Mr.. Boyd at home? Can ! see
lin for a moment"
The butler shook his head doubt
fully.
Il fear not. sir. tonipht." said he.
Mr.. Boyd was taken with q severe
Chill early this evening, and his ply
sicIan has ordered him 20 bed Is
your business of serious Importance?
II SO. J VIII speak 20 him.
Not particularly was the reply,
after a moment Il wanted 10 ask
after a certain party for whom I am
seeking. ] viii cali again in the morn
ing.
r,e butler bowed respectfully and
closed the door.
30 HLCu .o. the reliability Of Mr..
Felix Boyd's intuitivc conviction.
Long before tllis HttIe episode. how
ever, Boyd had departed in disghiss
from the rear door OF his dwelling,
and hastened To keep his appointment
in Harlem. From Harlem. accom-
panied by Coleman and Detective Ak
crman, Boyd proceeded TO Fordham.
where the two arrived soon after
O'Clock.
II then was dark. with the sky
heavily clouded, ana only the street
lights OF the suburban town 10 re-
lieve the gloom Of the November
night.
Discreetly keeping in advance OF his
companion, Boyd sought one Of the
rather secluded avenues Of the quiet
town, and presently approached his
Destination residence near the west
ern end OF the street.
II was quite an imposing dwelling Of
wood. with broad verandas. and a
large stable at the rear. the two oc-
cupying a considerable estate well
covered with handsome shade trees.
II leafiess branches OF winch were
signing dismally in the night wind.
as II in gloomy appreciation Of COM
ing events.
The place was somewhat isolated.
and appeared a bit run down. as II
the owner now lacked the opulence Of
bygone days. The house stood fifty
yards back from tbs street. but upon
glass pane over the outer door OF
the brightly Ii~nted vestibule the name
Of the occupant was printed IN letters
of considerable size presumably 10
obviate the need Of traversing the long
gravel walk to ascertain who dwelt
there.
The name thus easily read from the
street gate was "Macklin."
With characteristic reserve up 70
this time, Boyd had conhded none Of
his suspicious 70 either of his COM
panions. The moment Coleman OBJ
served above the distant door, how
ever, the name Of the whilom senior
member of the Wall street banking
house. he began TO see the shrewd the
ory TO which Boyd evidently was ac-
tuated.
BY Jove, Felix, you suspect Mack
lin Of having had a hand in that rob
berry he quietly exclaimed. a he and
Akerman Joined Boyd near the front
gate
The latter was intentIy studying the
suburban dwelling. as well as the dis
tance and darkness permitted. and
measuring the possibilities offered by
the gloom OF the surrounding grounds.
know that he had a hand in II.
Jimmie, he quietly reJo.ned, after a
moment
The devil he did" muttered Aker-
man. by way OF protest. That's not
very likely, Mr., Boyd. I cannot swal-
low that"
Cough it up. then. and reject it."
said Boyd. laughing softly.
But why are YOU so sure Of ft7"
IT viii not be wise to discuss the
matter here" replied Boyd, glaucins
sharply about, Vault the fence. and
follow me back OF yonder shrubberv.
There We may watch without being
discovered. Now having ATacklin's
house under our eye. we may safely
await developments"
But why are you convinced OF his
guilt?" persisted Akerman. when the
three had gained the conceaiment
mentioned
The case is as simple as two times
two. as I told Jimmie" BOYD now
proceeded to explain. in subdued tones.
The character Of the job alone con-
vinces me that it's the work OF the
Big Finger"
But he cannot have induced MACK
lin 10 join his gang" prstested Aker-
man. 'Macklln stands ace high in
the community"
High or low" replied Boyd. de-
cisively. you may take my word that
Macklin had a hand in this Job. He
is the one and the only man who
could make the job possible. I saw
that from the outset"
Why so, Felix ?" inquired Cole
man. Pm blessed Il plainly see
the point YOU appear TO make.
Follow my deductions. Jimmie. and
YOU Will see IT," replied Boyd The
letter lost by Dunn evidently was
found by the Big Finger. or by one
Of his gang"
Admitting that-What them"
The possibility presented by the
letter was at once obvious. and one to
he eagerly taken advantage OF by this
gang. continued Boyd significantly.
There's no doubt of that"
Yet. according TO .Perrys state
Heut. the letter contained only brief
Instructions relating 10 his business
with Dunn & Raddam. Plainly. how
ever. the party who impersonated
Perry and secured the bonds this
morning knew very much more about
the latter than was impaired BY tfIe
fg-s