Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-06-27

I
 l assure you. was tempted, confess
 and hid the drawings; but they art
 still in the office, and can give then
 to you-really can"
 T 'Indeed?" Hewitt went on. "Ther
 i,l that case perhaps you'd better ge,
 them at once. Just go and fetch then
 in; we won't trouble to observe youl
 hiding place. I'll only keep this dool
 open to be sure you don't lose you.
 way, you know, down the stairs, fol
 instance"
 The wretched Ritter, with hanging
 head, slunk into the office opposite
 Presently he reappeared looking, if
 possible, ghastlier than before. He
 looked irresolutely down the corridor
 as if meditating a run for it, but Hew-
 itt stepped toward him and motioned
 him back to the private room.
 You mustn't try any more of that
 sort of humbug," Hewitt said, with in-
 creased severity. "The drawings are
 gone, and you have stolen them; you
 know that well enough. Now attend |
 Mir. Dixon would send for policeman
 this moment and have you hauled off
 to the jail that is your proper place.
 But unfortunately your accomplice,
 who calls himself Hunter, but who has other names besides that, as happen to know. has the drawings, and it is absolutely necessary that these should be recovered. am afraid that it will
 be necessary therefore to come to some arrangement with this scoundrel-to square him, in fact. Now, just take | that pen and paper and write to your confederate as I dictate. You know the alternative if you cause any diff culty."
 Ritter reached tremblingly for the pen.
 Address him in your usual way" Hewitt proceeded. Say this: There has been an alteration in the plans. shall be alone here at o'clock. Please come without fail Have you got it! Very we'll, sign it and address the en- velope. He must come here, and then we may arrange matters. In the meantime you will remain in the in ner office opposite"
 The note was written, and Martin Hewitt, without glancing at the ad- dress, thrust it into his pocket. When Ritter was safely in the inner office, however, he drew 1t out and read the address. q see," he observed "he uses the same name, Hunter; 27 Little Carton street, Westminster, is the ad- dress, and there shall go at once with the note. If the man comes here, l think you had better lock him in with Ritter and send for policeman-it may at least frighten him. My object is, of course, to get the man away and then, if possible, to invade his house in some way or another and steal or smash his negatives if they are there and to be found. Stay here, in any case, till I return. And don't forget to lock up those tracings."
 It was about o'clock when Hewitt returned alone, but with a smiling face that told of good fortune at first sight.
 First, Mir. Dixon," he said as he dropped into an easy chair in the pri- vate room, "let me ease your mind by the information that I have been most extraordinarily lucky. In fact, think you have no further cause for anxiety. Here are the negatives. They were not all quite dry when I-well, what?- stole them, suppose I must say, so that they have stuck together bit, and probably the films are damaged. But you don't mind that, suppose"
 He laid a small parcel wrapped in newspaper on the table. The engineer hastily tore away the paper and took up five or six glass photographic nega- lives of the half plate size, which were damp and stuck together by the gela- tin films in couples. He held them one after another up to the light of the window and glanced through them. Then, with a great sigh of relief, he placed them on the hearth and pound ed them to dust and fragments with the poker.
 For a few seconds neither spoke. Then Dixon. flinging himself into a chair, said:
 "Mr. Hewitt. can't express my ob- ligation to you. What would have hap { pened if you had failed prefer not to think of. But what shall we do with Ritter now? The other man hasn't been here yet, by the bye.'
 "No; the fact is didn't deliver the ! letter. The worthy gentleman saved me a world of trouble by taking him. self out of the way" Hewitt laughed. "I'm afraid he has rather got himself into a mess by trying two kinds of theft at occe. and you may not be sor- " to bear that his attempt op your . torpedo plans is likely to bring him ! a dose of penal servitude for some thing else. I'll tell you what has hap | pened. Little Carton street. Westminster, I I found to be a seedy sort of place-one | of those old streets that have seen much better days. A barber had pos { session of the ground floor front of . No. 2I for trade purposes. so to him I | went. Can you tell me- I said. where In this house 1 can find Mir. HunterY l He looked doubtful. so I went on: His friend will do you know-I can't think of his name: foreign gentleman. dark. with bushy beard
 The barber understood at once. 'Oh, that's Mirsky. I expect he said. Now I come to think of It. he has had let ters addressed to Hunter once or twice. I've took 'ern in. Top floor back
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