Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-05
Spouse. in likewise. and a third was. also

Spouse. in likewise. and q third was. also
disregarded.
Hickey stepped back, face black as a
storm cloud. summed UP his opinion OF
soul-blistering phrase. produced his ban
dana and used II vigorously. uttered q
libel on the ancestry of the night watch
man and the likes Of him, and turned to
give profane welcome to the policeman
who had noticed the cab at 23d street.
and who now painted in. blown and per-
spring. Much to his disgust he found
himself assigned to stand guard over the
basement exits and waddled forth again
into the street.
Meanwhile the first officer to arrive
upon the scene was taking his turn at
agitating the button and shaking the
gates. and with no more profit of his I'M
dertaking than Hickey. After a minute
or two of 1t he acknowledged defeat with
an oath. and turned away to browbeat
the struggling vanguard Of belated way
farers-messenger boys. slatternly drabs.
hackmen, loafers and one or two plain
citizens conspicuously out OF their reput-
able grOoves-who were drifting In at the
entrance to line the lobby walls with
blank. curious faces. Forerunners Of that
mysterious rabble which is apparently
precipitated out of the very air by any
extraordinary happening In city streets
If allowed to remain they would In five
minutes have waxed in numbers to the
the policeman. knowing this. set about
dispensing them with perhaps greater dis
erection than consideration.
They wavered and fell back. grumbling
discontentedly. and Maitland Ms anxiety
temporarily distracted by the noise they
made. looked round to find his erstwhile
cabby at his elbow. or whom the sight
was inspiration. Ever thoughtful, never
unmindful of her whose influence held him
in this coil. he laid an arresting hand on
the mans sleeve.
you've got your cab"
"Yessir right houtside."
Drive round the corner. away from
the crowd and wait for me. II she-the
young lady-comes without me, drive her
anywhere she tells you and come to my
'Thankee. SIR"
Maitland turned back to ind the situa-
ton round the elevator shaft in statu
quo. Nothing had happened. save that
Hickey's rage and vexation had increased
nightly
But why don't you 60. up after him?'
How n the blazes can To- exloded the
detective. Hes got tn night car. F I
takes the stairs. he comes down by tn
shaft. md how'm I tub trust this here
mutt?" He indicated his associate but
humber custodian of the peace with q
disguised gesture.
Perhaps one OF the other cars will
run" Maitland suggested.
agreed with disdain as the young man
moved down the row Of gates trying one
after another. "Yeh're only wastin'-''
He broke OF with a snort as Maitland
somewhat to his own surprise MANAGING
the night elevator. stepped into the
darkened car and CROPPED for the con-
troller. Presently his fingers encountered
IT. and he moved 1t cautiously to one
side. A vicious blue spark leaped kissing
No0 a
bounded up a dozen feet. and was only
restrained from its ambition to soar sky
ward by an instantaneous release Of the
lever.
BY discreet manipulation Maitland
worked the car down to the street floor
might be interpreted as an apology for
his incredulity. jumped In.
Let 'er rip!" he cried. exultantly. Fan
them folks out intuh tn street. Bergen.
nd watch ow-ut!'
Maitland was pressing the lever slowly
wide Of it's catch. and the lighted lobby
dropped out Of sight while the detective
was still shouting admonitions to the
police below. Gradually gaining in mo-
mentum the car began to shoot smoothly
clanking beneath the floor. Hickey FUN
bled for the electric light switch. but,
finding 1t. Immediately shut the glare on
again and left the car IN darkness.
SAFER. ne explained. sententiouS. An
isty II shoot. nd they says he shoots
straight"
Floor after floor in eahostly strata slip
ped silently down before their eyes. Half
way to the top. approximately Hickey's
voice rang sharply In the volunteer OPP
orators ear.
stop 'er! Hold ,er steady. rothers
comm down.
Maitland obeyed. managing the car with
greater ease and less jerkily as he began
to understand the principle Of the lever.