The Green Forest tribune., 1909-04-09
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bling out of bed and scamper- ing about as if demented It was the report of an explosion, like that of a gun discharged suddenly Tn the silence of the night. While women in nightclothes ran wildly here and there, squalling babies in arms, and men nearly naked vociferated exclt- edly and rushed for weapons, three things happened in front of No. llO with the suddenness of a flash or lightning. first-hoor window vom- ited policeman to the sidewalk, the door flew open disclosing another po- liceman in the entry, and the nearby alley emitted breathless third. Meeting at the foot of the stairway. these three officers regarded each other blankly.
 "He took the stairs-where is he, Murphy?" gasped the one who had come by way of the window
 What" cried Murphy. You must be bughouse I was right here all the time He couldn't slide by me-what do you mean?'
 You don't say you've let him slip, after all the fine plant we put up?" The third officer, who was in plain clothes, peered at his colleagues ill be- wilderment, ehagrin and condemna- tion all struggling for expression in his face.
 "Wei" exclaimed the two in breath. And Murphy continued, ac- cusingly: Where was you, MT. Birsch? He must have climbed in your way, for he didn't mine, and here was Finnegan right on the landing. A mouse couldn't squeak by us. Did you hear anything, Finnegan?"
 Not a yip, till the thing went of" Finnegan responded, regarding the de- tectiye with disfayor. He said no more, but it was evident that he had placed the blame for the miscarriage of their plans. The plain-clothes man saw this and answered with heat:
 Well, I wasn't asleep either, if that's what you're getting at. I was right under the fire-escape and not cat could purr in the whole alley with out my hearing it. It's somebody HUH lHdI lulIi tiC u iAShs that's what. But" he added, as he hurried to the first floor, followed closely by the others, what did you tumble out for, Finnegan, instead of getting into Tonys2 We don't know even what has happened yet"
 Why" said Finnegan, ''as soon as the door of Tony's room opened and a H1y the stairs I scooted through the win dow to head him off
 But you knew Murphy was in the lower hall"
 My orders was to nab the Black Hand." Finnegan interrupted curtly. T didn't figger that I could put up any brilliant service finding out what the damage was while the murderer was doing the vanishing act down the stairs"
 But there was no one on the stairs, and he didn't come down." cried Murphy.
 Man. I tell you I saw him!" con- tradicted Finnegan. He banged open Tony's door and hit the landing in wv JNihpo etAb dC"ii lV NVAI l " do looking right at him. And I heard him on the stairs. He was in his stocking feet, by the sound.'
 T heard sounds all right, and that's why l opened the door-to let the light in from the street lamp so I could see. But nobody showed up.'
 Detective Birsch said nothing but if the darkness had been less dense they would have seen that his face was set and grim. In the hall thin line of light ran beneath a door, from behind which came sounds of sobbing and moaning, and entering without cere- mony they beheld, through little Wreaths of smoke, a woman sitting on bed, holding in her arms a young fellow down whose face the blood streamed, and man on his knees in the middle of the floor praying ve- hemently with uplifted hands.
 Tony" he said then to the praying man sharply, anybody but him in Jured?' motioning towards the bed.
 'Nonea bud da boy" he answered. and in the same breath continued his pCi OdlllAAS SupptCdllOIS.
 While the two policemen gave their attention to the apartment, which con- tained only two rooms, Detective Blrsch leaned over the bed. The vic tim was one of those very handsome youths so often seen towering the soil of our Little Italys," about 19 years of age, with nothing in the way of clothing on but an undershirt, blood streaming down his face The mother looked up appealingly as Birsch ap- preached, holding the limp form still closer, as if to protect it from further harm. But the youth, though he ap- peared half swooning, smiled, nodded and put out his hand. The detective shook it warmly
 Good boy!" he said encouragingly. You've got the right stuff in your in. side. It takes more than a little thing like this to knock you out. hey, Now, tell us about It."
 T don't think I know much.u the boy returned in weak voice, but in good English. T woke up and saw somebody outside my room on the hfe-escape, and I asked who was there. Then something struck me on the head. l heard big roar, and suppose l fell out of bed. for when came to myself my mother was drag ging me across the floor"
 We'll, but say!' cried the aston. ished detective, tue window was closed and locked, wasn't it, as II found it just now? How could any. body throw bomb through it with. out breaking the glass? It ain't hr0kan -