Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-09-17

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pressing against him and stood with
his face to the side of tho cage. looking
through the scroll work of the grating
to the swiftly ascending cables in the
next well. He was conscious that AL
catrante stood close to him as the car
began to slip downward. 1t was all
very ridiculous. this persistent pursuit
OF him.
Suddenly Alcatrante's voice burst
out: stop the car! rye been robbed!
Stop the carl"
There was immediate connection; a
girl screamed, and the swaying Of the
huddled group made the car rattle.
The elevator man quickly threw over
his lever. The car stopped with q
jerk between floors.
Orme had started to turn with the
others, but with a quick exclamation
he checked his movement and pressed
his face against the grating. A re-
markable thing had happened. The
ascending car in the next well had
stopped at Alcatrante's outcry. The
few passengers it was carrying.
eager to see what was happen
ing, hurried to the side nearest
to Orme. Less than two feet from his
face was the face of girl. Almost
before he saw her at all he knew her.
He forgot that he had given her APP
parent cause to doubt him; he did not
stop to wonder what she was doing
in this building.
Un{r1fo ho whianAred
Her lips parted; her eyes opened
wider.
Girl! Go to Tom wallingham's Of
fce. I'll come up there. Keep out of
sight when you hear me coming. AL
catrante is with me-
She nodded.
II have the papers," he added, and
his heart thumped happily when he
saw 10y and gratitude fash into her
eyes.
From his position and manner he
what was happening in his own car.
But now, conscious of the necessity Of
taking part in the discussion about
him. he reluctantly turned away from
the girl.
Alcatrante was still exclaining vol
ubly. His purse had disappeared. It
had been in his pocket just before he
entered the car. Therefore someone
in the car must have taken it He did
not accuse any single person. though
he flashed suspicious glances at Orme.
who recognized. Of course. that the
move was directed against himself.
To embarrass Orme with arrest and
detention would we'll suit the purpose
of Alcatrante. At this late hour such
an event would prevent the delivery Of
the papers. Orme wondered whether
the minister had realized that the pa
pers might be found by the police and
disposed Of properly. The explana-
ton Of this apparent oversight on the
part Of Alcatrante was not difficult,
however, for perhaps 1t was not a
part Of tho plan that Orme should be
actually thrown into a cell. 1t was
more likely that an arrest would be
followed, after as much delay as AL
catrante could secure, BY refusal to
prosecute. One advantage to Alca-
trante would. be the opportunity Of
getting assistance while Orme was in
the hands Of the police 30 that after
the prisoner was released he would
have more than one person to contend
with. Alcatrante would give up acting
alone.
Somebody has my purse!" Alca-
trante was shouting. Somebody here!
Yeu must not let anybody OUT"
The elevator boy had been gaping in
seeming paralysis. but now several Of
the passengers-men who doubtless
were sure Of their positions-were an
grily ordering him to take the car
down. Some of them had trains to
catch.
mo! No" screamed Alcatrante.
Orme had kept out of the discussion.
but now he spoke quietly. Il think,
Senior Alcatrante''-he uttered the
name distinctly, knowing that the
South American probably did not wish
himself identified-"T think that. If the
boy will take the car almost to the
bottom. the starter will help you"
There was a chorus of seconds to
this suggestion. The boy pulled the
lever and let the car descend slowly.
while Alcatrante continued to exclaim.
How would the South American try
to throw suspicion where he wished
Il? Orme puzzled over this question.
for certainly the police would not ar
rest all the passengers. And then he
suddenly remembered how Alcatrante
had crowded against him when they
entered the car.
A cold wave OF horror swept o7eT
him. Was It possible that?
He put his hand into the left side
pocket of his coat. Something was
there that did not belong there-a
smooth. bulglng purse. Alcatrante had
put It there.
Orme fingered the purse. He would
have to get rid of 1t. but he dared not
70 drop 1t to the floor, and If he thrust
1t through the grating and let it fall
into the elevator we'll. some one would
% almost certain to detect the action.
There was only moment left before
the car woald stop. He looked down at
Aloatrante. who was close in front OF
him. Then his face relaxed and In
spite Of the gravity Of his situation he
entitled: for he hah found solution.
Promptly he acted upon it.
The car halted Just below tho oefling
Of the first door. Whats tho matter