Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-10

doorway madly across F1fth-aVe. directly
toward the store. simultaneously dark colored
automobile. coming rapidly down the avenue,
sackened its speed and swerved in toward the side
walk. Suspecting an attack on the show window,
bounded toward the corner. AS he did SO, the man
who had across the avenue dashed past him
down the side street; while from the automobile,
which had stopped with Jerk jumped two young
and fashonably dressed women.
The neCkace The necklace" gasped one of
them, pointing toward the show window.
Following the direction of her finger. the watch
man saw that the pearl collar which had formed the
most conspicuous feature of the display was missing.
Missing, too the supposed rat catcher and his
accomplish Where could they have gone? Down
stairs? Of course! Perhaps now they were
sneaking out of the basement door. He bounded
back round the Just in time to see the face
of mantle man who had given the signal ap-
pear above the curb of the areaway In three jumps
the Waterman reached the top of the basement steps
as the man did-and hurled himself upon
him.
raised forearm, the closed with his assailant
His numbed arm, however, placed him at disad-
vantage, and the outcome might have been doubtful
had not succor come speedily from two sources, one
of them unexpected as the onslaught itself.
THIS was when hatless breathless Young woman
running up behind the Waterman. threw her
round his neck in no loving embrace and
planted one knee in the small of his back.
Compelled to relax his hold upon his intended
victim to save himself from strangulation the man
grasped with crushing force the two hands that en-
circed his throat and tore them apart surprised to
find how small and soft they felt within his own.
turned and saw from whom the attack had come,
and lave us two men he broke off on seeing
that his employer had suddenly appeared upon the
scene. "Hould onto her, Misther Reinhart,' he
old onto yourself, you brute!" shouted the
jewe1er. Bravely done, Miss Marshall! trust that
you not hurt. Are you all right Mr.. Carleton
Yes yes, come along! exclaimed the counterfeit
rat catcher. Protect these ladies'! he cried to the
chauffeur, who now came hurrying up: Thank you
excited girl as he darted into the building and up
the stairs, followed closely by Reinhart.
Wait here," echoed Eleanor Marshall, her eyes
blazing. "The-the idea! Come. Laura Come,
men! Hurry! He may be going to his death!' And
gathering up her torn and disordered skirts, she
like deer through the entrance and led the way
to the second floor brushing by the astonished ele
vator man, who stood half asleep, blinking blankly
She entered the front room almost at the heels of
Reinhart and Mrs. Mason. the chauffeur. the watch
man, and the thoroughly awakened elevator
attendant not far behind.
A STRANGE sight met their eyes they crowded
through the doorway into the dim apartment
illuminated only by the light that filtered in through
the drawn shades from the street. Standing up in
huge box was sandy haired man, with sharp fea-
lures and a twisted slightly awry. He was
looking the shoulder of another man who stood
facing him Just outside the box his back toward the
door. Both men held their hands above their heads
third man, standing we'll inside the pointed
an automatic pistol at them. In the upl1fted right
hand of the man outside the box was a clrclet of
pearls which cleaned with sudden brilliance the
elevator man switched on the electric lights.
Carleton, surveying this tabeau in speeches.
establishment, seemed to the others to form part
of it.
Why, it's Mr.. Lessing!" Renhart broke in inn
petuously. And you've caught the rascals! How
did you happen here SO OPPORTUNITY?
Simply enough" replied the addressed
Don't move or speak,! he cautioned his two human
targets. I've got you covered Then turning
again to Reinhart Il was walking east from Broad
way the other side of the street, when saw man