The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-12-03
CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.
THE EXPLOSION.
my FL. If this isn't the slowest
NM town, anyway
v The hour was in the
THE EXPLOSION.

speaker was Lieutenant Wilson, Of the
First district. His only audience was
the sergeant, who dozed over the
''blotter'' spread before him on the
desk
Wilson was a New York man. How
he ever came into the position he held
in the Philadelphia police force was a
mystery to all but . few deeply initi-
ated individuals.
He had been a fairly good detective
in the metropolitan service. He had
nun across the tran of a band Of Grim
inals which led in too straight line to
men higher up in the Quaker City.
Somehow the case had not been sifted
out publicly. Wilson had been fred
from the New York detective squad.
and the Philadelphia police were sur
prised to have a new man advanced in
two or three months from the ranks
10 the lieutenancy.
R1it he never attempted 10 conceal his
belief that Philadelphia was q town I'M
fitted for a live man like himself 10
reside and do business In. So he con
tinued TO growl at the sergeant.
Tonight he was in a particularly
bad humor A certain significance
was attached TO his presence at mead
quarters at such an hour, for the dis
trfct attorneys office had been saying
some severe things about the leu
tenants district. and tip had gone
forth that the district attorney was
going to raid a certain gambling house
that night on his own hook.
wherefore wilson's presence beside
Sergeant Burns at the deck. Where
fore. also. an unusual amount of virus
in his ratings. For he was not man
TO enjoy late hours except when on
duty
His discourse was interrupted by a
visitor
soh. hello, Jarvis he called out.
'sHowis the Bingham murder case
comm on2'
There war just a hint Of a sheer
behind the words, which he addressed
to tho cIean-shaven. clean-cut young
fellow who entered. Jarvis was new
detective whom the police were try
ing to prevent from running down
one of their own number suspected of
an-ugly crime
~I wanted TO see Watkins-where
IS he now?" Jarvis replied as his hand
came down from the salute with
which he greeted the lieutenant
~watkins?' the sergeant drawled-
'why-Iet's see-I-"
"a damn good detective you are,
Jarvis" Wilson burst forth, coming
here TO ask where your man is. II
you were in N York, you'd be broke
in ten minutes"
"Oh. WE'LL can take the time to
find him all right. II you fellows
were honestly trying to square your
selves with the people, you'd be glad
TO save me that much time. but I can
walk over the precinct all right. I'm
not a bit tired"
Jarvis turned on his heel and walk
ed out.
Gee. he thinks he's cute one,
Burns grumbled. But he amt got
any case against watkins, and he ain't
goin' 10 get none"
The conversation turned for a time
to the matter OF the SUSPECTED po-
Iceman. Again Wilson began on his
favorite strain;
In N'York detective that tried
that sort Of game would turn up miss
ing some fine morning." he finished.
well, he may before he's through
Burns retorted in defense OF his home
town.
The lieutenant yawned. 'H-m-m-l
don't believe that raids comm off to-
night. I'm goin' to bed. Tell the cap.
tain I'm gone in TO eat my supper Fl
he happens 70 show uD-and call me
II they bring the Palace outfit down"
For twenty minutes the silence was
unbrolcen in the little room. The ser
geants head dropped on his breast
Then he folded his arms across tn,
''blotter'' before him and laid his bushy
brow on his hands. In a few moments
his sven breathing told that he was en-
zo-sfv,., a c4,rrcrfFf9orrc e.pooga
He might as well. Two DRINKS had
provided the excitement for the nigh
thus far The 2 o'clock reports from
the men or. their beats were all IL
and recorded. The tape" would wake
hirn Up again at 9.
Then suddenly he leaoed from hi
chair. stumbled over one Of its pro
truding legs and sprawled OFF the Low
platform 20 the floor. He arose in ter
ror and rushed out Of the building.
The sleepy reserves came tumblins
out after him. The Lieutenant brought
up the rear.
MY Godr' one Of the men ex-
claimed. What was it, 1 thought
the house was blown up!'
A man came dashing down the steps
of the building across the street. He
was in his night clothes.
"wh-what was it?' he cried.
Another man rushed across Tho
street from the same side as that or
which the police station stood.
What was it2" he bawled like a
bass-voiced infant.
Shrieks arose from feminine voices
In half a minute every little marble
doorstep in sight was pouring out
two or three or half a dozen people.
But the question that now arose
from the lips Of the blue-coated Of
doers. that echoed back from the mcr
and women running wildly about over
the asphalt was no longer What is
ft?"
That question each one had seemed
10 answer for himself without waiting
for another 10 tell him. u had beer
the cry Of the half awed.
Now they chorused together
~Where was 81? Where was it2'
CHAPTER II.