Middletown transcript., 1909-07-24
81 sight ot him s0lIy gave alItlls

A4rsls A1AA - w. ~ Ck4Et q y se'<eEtse y II
call this man Lanky Luke, and
be had found out that Lanky
Luke was one Of the cleverest Of
sneak thieves.
What was Lanky Luke doing
in the cashier S Office?
The boy had the cunning Of 3
fox. He closed his eyes and let
his head sway forward a little.
TO ALI appearances he was a
street waif who had drifted into
the Office and fallen asleep.
The newcomer stared at the
boy and frowned. Then be aps
preached Tie window.
AS he did SO the door again
opened and slender young fel-
low entered very quickly. He
paused by the closed door and
looked at the first man.
The first man slightly nodded.
and turned his face toward the
sleeping boy.
The second man came for
ward softly ana STOPPING SO
that he was hidden from Oh,
servation as he passed the win
dow, moved up to the door in the
partition.
The first man, with another
quick look at the boy, stepped to
the window.
Excuse me, gentlemen, he said,
but | want a word with Mr.. Mar
via there.
The boy opened his eyes.
He saw the cashier come for
ward, he saw the gray haired
man with the can look up, he saw.
the other man, the one he called
the lawyer, turn from the high
desk.
And he saw thesecond stranger
fumbling with the lock of the
partition door.
What is it you want? the cash
ier asked.
The man at the window raised
his voice. He pointed at Il 9
stout man.
It's Mr.. Marvin, there he said.
It's a matter Of importance. They
told me at his Office I'd find him
here. Let me have a word with
you, Mr.. Marvin.
The stout man came closer.
The boy saw the man at the
partition door push it open and
disappear inside.
But my name isn't Marvin, said
the stout man.
It isn'tP cried the stranger.
That's very strange. That's very
strange. They described you to
me. It's j. q. Marvin ] want.
The boy saw the little man reap
pear through the partition door.
way and softly closed the door
behind him There was something
bulging under his coat.
That isn't my name, said the
stout man.
STOPPING low the little man was
on his way to the outer door.
Sorry to bother you, said the
man at the window. Good day.
There was a sudden crash and
a wild shrek.
The boy had risen and flung
himself at the legs of the smaller
man.
Robbers! he screamed. Help,
help!
The little man, surprised by
the sudden shock and hobbled by
those wiry arms, had fallen heav-
ily. The canvas bag slipped from
his grasp and slid ahead Of the
fallen man, The boy sprang up
and flung himself on the trea-
sure.
Quick, Bob! gasped the man at
the outer door.
The little man sprang at the
boy fiercely and drew him up and
tried to wrest the bag from him.
But the grimy hand held fast to
it. The eel like body twisted and
squirmed, the sturdy legs kicked
savagely.
With wild oath the little man
flung the boy against the parti.
tionsnd ran after his waiting con-
federate.
When solIy opened his eyes he was
lying on The lounge in the inner Office.
The cashier was kneeliag beside him
holding vet towel 10 bis aching head.
The gray Laired man was there, and The
stout man aud at the door stood police
officer.
And they we're all looking at him.
Then be saw the canvas bag on the
floor beside him-.hey had just drawn il
from bis firm grasp-and a feeble smi's $
played among the freckIes.
His gaze met tie cashiers aud be