The Washington times., 1906-10-28
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you?"
That's a dlsagreeable job" growl-
ed Coleman.
Somebody has to do It. and ! pre-
fer you. Jimmie, for I wish you TO
make sure that she is kept away from
Office during my Investigations Send
her home Jimmie and say that the
body viii be properly forwarded "
wei. I'll do It. Felix. since you
ask IL OF me"
That's very good Of you. Jimmie
One thing more"
What's that2"
send Mrs Dobson home also. say
ing that we find no trace Of her hus-
band. but will send word 70 her as
soon as we have anything 70 report
10y Jove"' mutteTed Coleman abb
ruptly. Isn't It probable that the
missing ianitor did this job?"
AT least possible. Jimmie. II not
probable" replied Boyd. Il wish to
make a quick study OF these rooms.
and with no intruders about. So get
rid OF both women By soruu means. j
shall be here when you return
"I'n not be away long" said Cole
man, as he withdrew.
In artfully imposing these several
obligations upon the centra%ofice man,
Felix Boyd had a secondary object
that OF gaining time IN which 60 make
a secret examination OF the two offices.
In search Of any evidence Bearing upon
the crime.
As Coleman departed. Boyd stepped
briefly into the corridor. and again ad-
dressed Mr. Warner.
Have you seen Dobson. the tanitor,
this morning." he asked.
It have not seen him for several
days" was the reply.
Think a moment" said Boyd. 'Can
you state Just when you last saw
him7'
why. yes. I think so" safd Warner.
Il saw him Thursday afternoon. as
was starting for home"
Here In the building?'
Yes: he came down 70 this floor in
the elevator. and left IL Just as I got
In 20 go 10 the street"
dig you observe which way he
turned after leaving the elevator"
Ne came this way. am quite
sure"
And about what time was 1T"
Between 40 and & ! cannot say
precisely"
Thank you. Mr.. Warner"
Boyd bowed and returned 20 the Of
fee. the door OF which he now has
tened 70 close and lock. with the key
previously used.
Then he glanced st his watch
Ten minutes-I cannot hope for
more" he grimly muttered. Il must
have done In that time. I must get
on their trscx-and accomplish It IN
seen"
He darted 70 the nearest window and
looked out
Ne was about to begin his inves,iga-
ton, and, had there been an observer
during the next FIVE minutes. he would
have witnessed a most extraordinary
scene. He would have beheld Felix
Boyd as no man ever yet beheld him.
with his strenuous mental operations
depicted IN his changing countenance,
and evinced IN his every rapid move
nenI He would have seen personined
the relentless sleuth Of blood-stirrlng
action. the man metamorphosed into
the hound, with both the hunter In
stinet and the human acumsn slim
uiated 70 supernatural activity.
" III aALH C0AAAAiA NaaNA-f WA ANa-Ne-a -
drawn and white. with eyes that
cleaned and glittered as II with fever
under his knit brows. Boyd threw
open the nearest window and locked
out He found Il unlocked. and
glance gave him the external sur
roundings.
The window was on the third floor,
and was nearly forty feet from the
ground II was In the rear wall OF
the building, as previously stated. and
about n idEay OF the block. Back Of
the block was an unPaved passage
way. or court. some ten or twelve feet
wide, by which trucks and drays lad
access to the freight elevator and
lower stores. Across this court rose
the unfinished rear wall Of the new
building previously mentioned.
Boyd took in these pertinent feat
ures with a single glance, then quick
~ closed the window. Next he daTtcd
into the inner room. glanced first at
the riaed safe. then at the CORY body
Of the murdered man; but upon neither
did he bestow any further attention.
Dropping 20 his hands and knees
upon the floor, he took a lens from his
pocket and began TO study the carpet
Inch by inch. foot by foot yard after
yard. he wriggled over the floor, with
the lens at his eyes and his face near
~ touching the carpet
Now and then he fingered over some
particular spot; now and then a NUT
tered word escaped him. or an inn
pulslve gesture. indicating his con
slant mental activity; yet for the most
part his work was done with amazing
IA pldity and IN utter silence.
Presently he leaped 10 his feet again.
then studied with his lens the sill OF
the window, and then the stone coping
outside; and he was thus engaged
when the knob Of the door was fore
ibly turned. followed by a command
ing knock on the panel
Boyd instantly resumed his habituaI
air and aspect. Quietly closing me
window. he thrust the lens into his
pocket. then approached and opened
the door
''Ah. Is IL you, Inspector Byrnes?'
he blandly inquired. with a nod and
smile. Il decided that 1 would lock
this door TO exclude intrudeTs. penS-
ing your arrival"
Followed BY Coleman and three more
OF his detectives, the famous chief or
the central office bowed and ent~eed
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