Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-02-16

prosecute. One advantage to Alca-
would be the opportunity of
assistance while 0rme was in
the hands of the police so that after
the prisoner was released he would
have more than n person to contend
with. Alcatrante would give up acting
alone.
Somebody has my purse!" Alca-
was shouting. Somebody herel
You must not let anybody outl"
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.
mol Mol" screamed Alcatrante.
Orme had kept out of the discussion,
but now he spoke quietly. II think,
Senior Alcatrante"-he uttered the
name distinctly, knowing that the
South American probably did not wish
himself identifed--"T think that, If the
boy will take the car almost to the
bottom, the starter will help you"
There vas 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
it? Orme puzzled over this question,
for certainly the police would not az
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 over
him. Was 1t possible that?
He put his hand into the left side
pocket of his coat. Something was
there that did not belong there-a
smooth, bullying purse. Alcatrante had
put 1t there.
Orme fingered the purse. He would
have to get rid Of 1t, but he dared not
to drop it to the floor, and if he thrust
it through the grating and let it fall
into the elevator well, some one would
be almost certain to detect the action.
There was only a moment left before
the car would stop. He looked down at
| A~lcatrante, who was close in front of
him. Then his face relaxed and in
spite of the gravity Of his situation he
smiled; for he had found a solution.
Promntly he acted uDon 1t,
The car halted just below the ceiling
of the first floor. whats the matter
with you2" called a voice-the voice
of the starter.
Man robbed" said the elevator boy
Bring the car down"
mol" shouted Alcatrante. "The
thief is in the car. He must not es
CAPE"
81 won't let him out. Bring the cal
down"
The boy let the car descend to the
floor level. The starter placed himself
against the gate. Nov then, who wal
~robbed?" he demanded.
Alcatrante crowded forward. "It was
1. My purse is gone. l had it JUS
before I got in"
ooh, it was you, was it?" The start
er remembered the trouble Alcatrante
had made a few minutes before. "Sure
you didn't drop it,"
II am certain that | did not"
The passengers were shutting theil
feet about, in a vain effort to touch thu
lost property. A young girl was gig
Cling Historically.
Perhaps you put 1t in the wron>
pocket, and didn't look careful
enough"
81 looked, l looked" exclaimed Al
catrante. do you think l would no
know. See! | put 1t in this pocket
which is now empty"
He thrust his hand into the poke
which he had indicated. Suddenly hi
expression changed to establishment.
Find it," grinned the starter.
With the blankest of looks Alcs
trante pulled the purse from his pooh
ct. ut was not there two minute
ago." he muttered.
? You've been dreamin'," remarke
the starter, opening the gate with
bang. All out!"
Orme chuckled to himself. In a me
i, ment Alcatrante would realize how tn
, purse had been replaced in his poke
; and he would be furious. Meantim
Orme entered another elevator, to G
back to the eighth floor, and, as he ha
expected, the minister followed him.
When they we're outside the Office c
. the W~allingham company Orme PAUSED
his hand on the door. "Senor Ale;
, trante." he said, "this business mus
end. 1 shall simply have to call tn
police"
! AT your own risk" said Alcatrant'
! Then an ugly light flashed in his eye
. and his upper lip lifted above his ye
low teeth. you got the better Of m
1 there in the elevator" he snarle,
you won't get the better again."
a Orme opened the Office door. H
glanced about the reception room, I
i see whether the girl had hidden he
q self. She was not in view; indee,
h there was even no one at the inquir
window.
: The door Of the great sample r
frigerator was ajar only two or thre
i feet. When Orme was there a fe
minutes before it had been wide opei
Z He wondered whether the girl ha