The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-10-21
BELOW THE DEAD LINE.

The summons brought no answer,
a1td the youngster. Mr.. Felix Boyd's
once boy, scratched his head desper-
ateiy. and glared with an expression of
DUBIOUS apprehension and misgivings at
tne closed door of Boyd's private room
adjoining his office in Pine street.
Mr. Boyd! Mr.. Boydr
Now there sounded from beyond the
closed door a long, semi-subdued
growl, like that of a Gagged lion dis
turDed, to which was supplemented the
single word, much as if the growl had
terminated in a snarl:
''Well?"
"A note from Coleman, sir You're
Wanted-in devil of a hurry"
The last was much more eXpressivc
than elegant. yet it appeared to serve
the purpose intended, for it 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
look like that of a college student wrest-
ling with Euclid
AS matter of fact Boyd had been
head, neck and ears in a study of the
complicated evidence bearing upon the
mysterious Gateley abduction and in
surance fraud-a case very notorious at
that time, the complicating circum-
stances Of which had utterly baff1ed
the brightest lights of the central Of
flee, resulting in a request from In
spector Byrnes that Boyd would exam
Inc the documents and data of the case
with view to ferreting out a solution
OF the mystery, and thus set the detec-
tfves on the right track. 1t was from
study Of this case that Boyd had
finally arisen, after the repeated calls
of his office boy.
II thought I told you, Terry" he
he
that L did not wish to be disturbed
for twelve solid hours?"
Except for something strenuous.
sir" protested Terry, shaking his head
with convincing earnestness. your
own words, sir-'something strenuous
Here's note from Coleman, sir. Reads
strenuous. sir. I'll leave 1t to you So
] ventured to stir you up. Hope you'll
excuse me, SIR"
Despite his smothered growls. there
was twinkling of amusement in
Boyd's keen, gray eyes, and a smile al
most paternal played about his thin.
firm lips as he took the opened note
from the lads hand, and read it.
Felix: Join me in room K % FIX
change building. Devils own mystery
Rush! I'm waiting. COLEMAN
Boyd read the penciled 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 coat, Terry, while 1 groom
my disordered locks. Hat, too, my lad
Who brought the note?"
Some chap about my sizep
What has become of him?'
1 fired him out, sir, before I took
any chances of disturbing you replied
Terry Gowan. with a significant grim
ace. Il feared we both might be fired
unless I did,
Not much danger of that. Terry.
since l know a good lad when [ get
one" laughed Boyd. Remain here for
time. in case I 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
flee, Jimmie Coleman. was a very
strong one Nothing less than an ap-
peal from Coleman, such as that lust
received, or from one of the great finan-
cial houses to which he professionally
was under obligations. would have
taken Boyd from the matter that after
noon engaging him.
1t was nearly o'clock when he was
interrupted as described, and within a
quarter hour he entered the Exchange
building, and FASTENED to the office des-
ignated by Coleman.
1t was busy day in the market. the
autumn Doom being well under way:
and the noise from the great chauber.
of the stock exchange, a roar like that
of Niagara heard at a distance. still
Tell upon his ears as he left the eleva-
tor at the seventh floor
Upon approaching room K 90 Bovd
saw the ground glass windows between
it and the corridor did not bear the
rightly decided that it was a vacant
office. Yet, upon entering, he did not
find Ii unoccupied.
Jimmie Coleman, two policemen. and
Detective Alderman were standing in
the room, while DR.. French, physician
who had been hurriedly summoned. was
kneeling beside an unconscious man
upon the floor.
The office was a rear one. vet quite
commodious, and was entirely destitute
of furniture-a fact that lent a peculiar
significance to the scene that met
Boyd's gaze. He was Immediately
Joined by Coleman, however, and quiet
~ asked:
What's the meaning of this. Jim
mie?'
you tell me-" replied Coleman. eIt
is a question more easily asked than
answered. Leastwise, until yonder man
can be put in 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 dark bruise, extending
well into the hair. plainly indicated
what had befallen him. while. upon the
floor nearby, were several strips of
rope, with which he recently had been
bound.
What do you know about him? ?" in
quired Boyd, revertsng to the central
Office man.
"Only. what you See" replied Cole
man, quietly. "A gentleman passing
through the adjoining corridor heard
groans from this office, and, knowing it
10 be vacant, he tried the door. Find
ing il locked, he summoned one of the
officers employed in the building. who
rn1 rrhnxr found .,ao..