The Detroit times., 1911-07-06
&PROFESSOR,S -
G3NM MYSTERY N5NN
YxA@MM GlI HGNEXM
&sTEM Wells HASTINGS MSSTEX
~ - bRIAN HOOKER
sMerMCo
risSs. isiI. The BobSs MERRILL Company


mile trips in the middle OF the night,
and he's English and wnrships his
habits. Are we all right now?"
eyes: Il wasn't anything. We're
nearly there now; there's Woodlawn.
She did not speak again Tor some
time. and began to wonder II l naa
again trodden upon trouble. seemed
fated TO do so at every turn. But
presently she broke In with comfort
able triviality.
Look here. why don't you smoke
m you want 10? forgot an about
but OF course you may. don't wind
had noticed II before. but the
cigarette was exactly what | wanted.
The bodily comfort balanced things
again. and made me feel at home with
the situation. We ran down Riverside
Drive. the dark bulk OF the city on
our left, and on our right the glimmer-
ing breadth OF the Hudson. streaked
with yellow CLEANS. Thence we cross
ed over and continued on down Fifth
ave.. between blank houses and un-
natural lights. the occasional clack
OF hoofs and hollow growl OF wheels
accentuating the unwonted stiffness.
had somehow taken II for granted
that We were going for doctor. Bit
when we passed Madison Square and
kept on south along broadway, that
errand became unlikely; and when
we turned eastward over the
rough cobbles OF narrow side streets,
was In a state of blank wonder. We
ran slowly. lurching and humping.
through interminable chasms or
squalor where iron ratings mounted to
the doors and ciots of bedding hung
from open windows; where evil doors
hung and drifted like clouds. and a
sick heat lay prisoned between wall
and pavement, and stragglers turned
TO stare after US as we went by. Now
and then we crossed some wider thor
oughfare with its noise Of cars and
tangle OF sagging wires overhead. and
signs In foreign tongues under the
corner lights And at last we came
into city OF dreadful sleep, dim and
deserted and still. The scattered
lamps were only yellow splotches In
the dusk. the stores were barred and
barred. and there was no human thing
| In sight save here and there huddle
OF grimy clothes under the half shell
/ ter Of a doorway. Puffs of salt air
from the river troubled the stagnant
mixture OF fish, leather and stale beer.
| We stopped before a narrow door
way pinched sidewise between two
shop windows like fsh's mouth.
| Lady leaned across me to scan the
bleak windows above.
There should be a light on the top
floor" she said. yes. there II IL. Ask
Thomas to make sure OF the num-
ber."
He was back In a moment TO say
that the number was right: And all
asleep. Miss, by the look OF II. Shall
I knock somebody up? There's no
bell"
mo. not yet. What time is it. Mr..
Crosbyi"
Twenty minutes OF three" I told
her.
"She must have got the message
before now" she said. half 10 herself.
Then, after a little thought. Stay
here with the car, Thomas. Mr.. eros
/ by and are going In,
You're not going into such place
at this hour!' protested. Tell me
what II is and let me co.
mo, I'm coming too. Don't stop
to talk about IL. please"
The door yielded and let US into
stained and choking hallway, family
lighted by blue flicker of gas at the
far end. The stairs were worn into
creaking hollows, and the noise OF our
passing, though instinctively we crept
upward like thieves, awakened a
multitude OF skueaks and scuffiings be
hind the plaster The banisters were
everywhere loose and shaky, and In
places they were entirely broken
away. SO that we went close along
the filthy wall rather than trust to
them. Each hallway was like the one
below; narrow, dusty and airless,
with It's blue squirt of gas giving us
just light enough to find our way
without cropping. At last we reached
the top, and Lady knocked softly on
the door at the end of the hall.
There was no answer. She knocked
again. I turned up the gas, and assf
] did so fat beetle ran from under
/ my feet stepped on II, and wished
that had not done SO.
Are you sure this IL the placer"
whispered.
Eyes: I've been her before. But
don't understand. Sheila knew that
we were coming"
Il Ito he continued).