Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-03-11

KAN
- NNoex< oornaa~ 'M
law books. typewriter supplies and, In.
cidentally, our wraps. I vas wonder
ing vaguely II I would ever hang my
hat on its nail again. when the door
closed behind me. It shut firmly, with
out any particular amount Of sound,
and I was left in the dark. I CROPPED
my way to it, irritably, to find it
locked On the outside. I shook it fran
tica1ly, and was rewarded by a sibilant
whisper through the keyhole.
Keep quiet" Blobs was saying
huskily. You're in deadly peril. The
police are waiting in your office, three
Of 'em. I'm goin' to lock the whole
bunch in and throw the key out of the
window"
Come back here, you imp of sa-
TAM" I called furiously, but 1 could
hear him speeding down the corridor,
and the slam of the outer office door
by which he always announced his
presence. And so I stood there in the
ridiculous cupboard, hot with the heat
of a steaming September day, musty
with the smell of old leather bindings,
Uttered with broken overshoes and
handleless umbrellas. I was apoplec-
tic with rage n minute, and choked
with laughter the next. It seemed an
hour before Blobs came back.
He came without haste, strutting
with new dignity. and passed outside
my prison door.
We'll, I guess that will hold them
for a WHILE" he remarked comfort.
ably, and proceeded to turn the key.
I've got EN- fastened up like sardines
in q cant" he explained, working with
the lock. Gee whiz! you'd ought to
hear 'em!" When he got his breath
after the shaking I gave him, he be-
gan to sputter. How'd I know?" he
demanded sulkily. You nearly broke
your neck gettin' away the other time.
And 1 haven't got the old key. It's
lost"
Where's 1t lost?" I demanded, with
another gesture toward his coat col
lar.
Down the elevator shaft" There
was q CLEAN of indignant satisfaction
through his tears of rage and humilia-
ton.
And so, while he hunted the key in
the debris at the bottom of the shaft,
I quoted his prisoners with the as
uranc that the lock had slipped, and
that they would be free as lords as
soon as we could find the janitor with
a pass-key. Stuart went down finally
and discovered Blobs, with the key IN
his pocket, telling the engineer how
he had tried to save me from arrest
and failed. When Stuart came up he
was almost cheerful, but Blobs did not
appear again that day. s.
Simultaneous with the finding of
the key came Hotchkiss, and we went
in together. I shook hands with two
men who, with Hotchkiss, made a not
very animated group. The taller one.
al oldish man, lean and hard, an
nounced his errand at once.
"a Pittsburg warrant" I inquired,
unlocking my cigar drawer.
"Yes. Allegheny county has as
sumed Jurisdiction, the exact locality
where the crime was committed being
in doubt" He seemed to be the
spokesman. The other, shorter and
rotund, kept an amiable silence. 1--WE
hope you will see the wisdom of waiv-
ing extradition," he went on. 1T will
save time"
I'll come, of course" I agreed.
"The sooner the better. But I want
you to give me an hour here, gentle
men. l think we can interest you.
Have a cigar?"
The lean man took q cigar; the ro-
tund man took three, putting two in
his pocket.
"How about the catch of that door,"
he inquired jovially. ANY danger Of
1t going of again?" Really, consider
ing the circumstances, they were re-
markedly cheerful. Hotchkiss, how
ever, was not. He paced the floor I'm
easily, his hands under his coat-tails.
The arrival Of Mcknight created a d.
version; he carried a long package
and a corkscrew. and shook hands
with the police and opened the bottle
with a single gesture.
II always want something to cheer
on these occasions" he said. where's
the water, Blakeley? Everybody
ready?" Then in French he toasted
the two detectives.
ITO your eternal discontinue" he
said, bowling tremendously. May
you 60 home and never come back!
II you take Monsieur Blakeley with
you. l hope you choke"
The lean man nodded gravely.
"Prosft.' he said. But the fat one
leaned back and laughed consumedly.
Hotchkiss finished a mental synop-
sis OF mis- position. aud put down his