The Washington times., 1906-03-25

10 yourself, but your position is rather
equivoeal- Produce your card and be
identified-if you really can"
II refusev
Then 1 shall ask you to accom-
pany US to the room upstairs till the
police patrol arrives"
IT will go."-quietly.
-Nonsense!" I objected. "On my
word of honor. 1 do not know this
lady. Our presence in the cellar was
perfectly harmless. There is no valid
reason for OBTAINING her. It is an
outrage,"
81 am not going to stand here argu-
ing with yOu." said HGggerty. Let
the lady produce her card; let her dis
close her identity. That is simple
enough"
Il have already given you my de-
termination on that subject" replied
the girl. ct can very we'll explain my
presence here, but 1 absolutely de-
cline TO explain it to the police"
didn't understand her at all. She
had said that she possessed an alibi.
Why didn't shs produce it?
So the two of US left the gorgeous
ballroom. Everyone moved aside for
NSb SNAAN iNA~NAST wv oS ~ VIC ii$o Aah
the plague. looked in vain for Ham
ilton. He was a friend in need. We
were taken into the stewards office
and the door was shut and locked. The
band In the ballroom went galloping
through a two-step. and the gayety
was in full swing again. The thief
had been rounded up. How the deuce
was it going to end?
ct SannOf fell yOYt how Gnrrv am
to have mixed you up in this" I said
to the girl.
You are in no manner TO blame
Think Of what might have happened
had you blown UP the pos,Offlcer'
She certainly was the least embar-
rassed Of the two Of us. I addressed
my next remarks to the great Hag-
erty.
Did you find a suitable pistol in
Friard's?"
"A man in my business" said Hag-
gerty mildly, lis often found in such
places. There are various things to
be recovered H. pawnshops. The gen.
tlemen of this club sent me the orig
inal ten of hearts. my presence being
necessary at such big entertainments.
I was so happy that I nearly put you
on your guard. Lord, how long I've
been looking for you, 1 give you
credit for being a clever rascal. You
have fooled US nicely. Not a soul
among us knew your name. nor what
you looked like And but for that
card. you might still be at large.
Until the lady submits 10 the simple
process OF Identification, I shall be
compelled 10 look upon her and treat
her as an accomplice. She has re-
fused the offer 1 have made her, and
she cannot blame me If l am suspi-
cious, when to be suspicious is a part
Of my business" He was reasonable
enough in regard to the girl.
He turned 20 the chief Of the viii
lage police. who was sitting at the
desk ordinarily used by the clubs
steward.
NO reporters, mind you"
"Yes. SIR. Wen see that no re-
porter gets wind of the capture"
The telephone bell rang. One of the
police answered it
For you, Mr.. Haggerty." he said.
Haggerty sprang 10 the telephone
What" We heard him exciaim.
You have got the other fellow? A
horse and carriage at oncer'
Take mine." said the chief excited
ly. What is it,"
My subordinate at the railway sta
tion has just landed the fellow with
the jewels. Mighty quick work
must hustle in to town at once.
There'll be plenty Of time to attend TO
these persons. Bring them TO town
the moment the patrol arrives. The
gems are the most important things
just now"
Yes, sir. You can rely upon us.
Mr.. Haggerty. Billy, go down with
Mr.. Haggerty and show him my rig
Good said Haggerty. It's been
fine nights work, my lads-a fine
nights work III see that all get
some credit. Permit no one to ap-
prOach the prisoners without proper
authority"
Your orders shall be obeyed to the
letter. said the chief Importantly. He
already saw his name figuring in the
New York papers as having assisted
in the capture OF a great thief
/ cursed under my breath II il
hadn't been for the girl. am
ashamed to confess. / should have
cursed out loud. She sat rigid and
motionless. 1t must have been a
cruel ordeal for her. But what was
puZZling me was the fact that she
made not the slightest effort to
spring her alibi If I had had onai
Where was Hamilton? I scarcely in
clined TO the idea Of sleeping in Jail
in 4 dress suit
Haggerty departed. A silence set
tied gloomily down on us. Quarter
of an hour passed. The grim-visaged
police watched us vigilantly. Half an
hour, three-quarters, an hour. Far
away we heard the whistle Of an out
going train. Would I had been on 1T.
From time to time we heard faint
music. At length there was a noise
outside the door. and a moment later
Hamilton and two others came IN
When he saw me. he stopped. his
eyes bulging and his mouth agape
"Dicky Comstalk?" he cried help
lessly. What the devil does this
mean?'-turping to the police.
do you know this fellow. MI.
Hamilton asked the chief.
Know him? OF course I know
him." answered Teddy: "and I'll stake
my last dollar on his honesty"
(Thanks, TeddyD began 70
breathe.
But" began the chief. seized with