The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-02-19

sured him that there needn't be any ex-
element, because it was still barely
seven. and the remains Of Mr. Temp
kins could be made an ambulance case
on the supposition that the man wasn't
dead. Furthermore, thanks TO an alley
in the rear of the Mechanical, the
wagon need not come TO the door at all
Mr.. HunEerford dropped the tele-
phone with a little sigh of relief and
waited.
He had not very long to wait n
matter or ntteCu minutes, and, with
out any undue Gathering Of EonSs or
salloping of hoofs. Il tall young man
in a long blue coat appeared at the
doors with a bak in his hand.
He was silent, slightly disturbed and
distinctly noucommittaL He went up
stairs with AIR. HunEerford, asking the
while IL the coroner had been notified.
He entered the big office and strolled
over to the figure. considering it with
calm lack OF interest And then he
seemed TO quicken. He knelt and drew
the limp figure from the red puddle and
lifted a wrist He ScOwled a tritle and
began to unbutton clothes
Later. and much TO Mr.. Hungerford' $
like instrument and listened here and
there on the unfortunate Mr.. TOmpkins'
anatomy until finally he looked up
sharply and remarked:
This mans not dead
"He-no?"
Not by any manner Of means He's
had a tremendous Wfhack on the back
OF his head with a blackjack OF some
q, Crfr, y e-L-r
fractured, all right enough. But he's
very much alive and breathing, If not
kicking at present"
And there's a chance for his life?"
There's a chance for any mans life
while his heart is beating, Mr.. Hunger
ford. Wen have TO get him TO the hos
pital and on the table-quick-and then
find out how badly he's been smashed. q"
The youthful surgeon left swiftly by
the rear way.
He returned in a little while, with
his driver and a long stretcher. and,
with Browns aid. and without undue
noise, the unfortunate watchman was
carried out to the ambulance and 81
lently logged away.
HungerfOrd was alone, when Brown
had departed with a judicious lip-seaIer
gerford was alone in the bank-and 10
tell the truth, Hungerford was shaking
a little as he stood in the wide corridor
between the outer windows and the lit
tie wickets Of the several cages.
What on earth had struck Tomkins
Who could have had a motive? More
than all, who the deuce could have en-
tered the bank and left it again without
forcing anything-for a brief inspection
had shown every window and door lock
to be in place and in condition.
Or had the mysterious assailant left
the bank?
The notion hit HungerfOrd like a blow
and very quickly indeed he shifted his
revolver from its rear pocket TO the
side pocket Of his overcoat- Was some
one hiding Whereabouts crank or
something Of that sort, or
The clock struck haIf-past seven.
Hungerford started anew.
Excitement IN any bank is about as
undesirable as excitement in hospi-
tai. In q few minutes. the early birds
would begin arriving, and when they
saw that big. blOOd-sOaked rug up
stairs Well, il wasn't exactly a
nice task, but Mr.. Hungerford Wa!ked
uDstairs to il like a man be folded
- the r7lp. rolled Il compactly and,
carving il down again with a prayer
Of thanks that there were no STAINS on
the hardwood floor, deposited. it care
fIIlv behind the big desk Of his private
Then he sat back to think He Wres-
tied with the problem TOT Iuli I'VE
minutes-aud Hungerford was aware
fhat when an ordinary problem bafc-
fled him after five fun minutes OF
thought, he needed help
vl-Serefore he turned TO the faithful
teIephone and called for number,
and when the connection was establish
"a ne heard the voice Of that extreme
~ eminent and extremely GhkHo"H Il
| ,,yri,,aTe detective Mr.. Walden Bovine.
~gTsFDT~ID Y