Arizona republican., 1911-03-03
THE BEAT OF THE YEAR
By Robert Livingston Beeeher.
Copyright, 1909, by the Pearson Pub
 fishing Co)
Continued From Yesterday)


 wise to this yet?" he asked No. eWe've stolen march on them" replied Bruce.
 Who's the captain in this pre- cinct? '" continued the ianitor.
 Sheehan," replied Bruce. without hesitation.
 The dark man gave a short laugh.
 You're a mile of. he said mock ingly. " Sheehans up with the goats in the Bronx. If you were a Head quarters sleuth, you'd know that. You're reporters. that's what you are. Show me that shield again"
 Bruce looked at McGinnis. The Irishman turned roughly upon the man at the door.
 Shut upi he roared. "If yer give us any more of yer gab. we'll lock yer up"
 The janitor rested his right hand upon the door-knob.
 You can't bluff me" he said sav- agely. Show me that shield and I'll believe you"
 Bruce did not move. The janitor grinned
 " It's not a detectives shield" he went on. It's a reporters fire badge. That's what it is. You're reporters. all right"
 Well. what of it?" Bruce said, wearily. What of it?"
 The janitor held out his left hand, palm upward.
 ' It's a good guess you're both from one paper" said he. with a wink ." And. of course you don't care 10 have this git too public. do you? We'll. what do l git for not tipping the other papers of. eh?"
 Ten dollars" said Bruce. promptly
 The man with his hand on the door knob guffawed.
 " Say. I'm not that easy," '" he re- torted. This is a big thing Cant l see the way the papers is booming il?
 This Greening's a queer 'un. I've always been leery about him. fol lowed him one night an he went over 10 Fifth avenue. an l thought he was going to turn into a brownstone front when he looked round ana saw me on the other side. He came over and gave me a tenner and told me if he ever caught me following him again. he'd use me for a punching-bag You bet he's made it worth my while to stand right with him since"
 Bruce leaned over. wrote something on sheet of paper lying on the desk. and held the paper out toward the speaker.
 That block was between those two streets, wasn't it?" he asked. quietly
 The janitor stared at the paper and |. grIs
 l guess you know who he is all right" he said. He's big swell, just as l suspicioned An you think don't know what a stink thisll kick up. an so you want to hand me a tenner, No, siree!
 McGinnis, who had been leaning against the wall opposite that on which the electric light was quivering. stood up straight, moved little to- ward the door, and began examining an oil painting hanging on the jani- tors left. Bruce swung himself round on the desk until he was directly fac ing the door.
 Well" said the latter, slowly, as if he were balancing the matter care fully in his mind. perhaps ten was bit low. We'll make it twenty-five"
 The janitor's hand almost impercep- tibly twisted the dOOr-knOb.
 "The Americdnll give me a hun dred. at least" he said. With a grin.
 Bruce swung his long legs uncOn- cernedly under the mahogany.
 How do you know" he asked. care lessly. that McGinnis and aren't from the American ourselves?
 Well, if you are. can find that out soon enough over the phone" was the reply.
 The speaker paused.
 The World pays almost as good, I've heard tell" he added.
 Bruce stopped swinging his legs.
 Twenty-five's our limit" he said, sharply. Will you take it?"
 The janitor jerked the door open and threw himself around it. The next instant, three bodies crashed together on the floor and the door shut with a slam. A half-formed cry gurgled away into nothingness.
 Don't choke him. McGinnis." eX- claimed the younger man. Here's my handkerchief. Gag him."
 Five minutes later, a figure. bound securely hand and foot, and with a piece of white linen tied across the opened mouth and knOtted behind the head. was carried into a little bath room opening out of the main room. The two men bearing the helpless fig ure laid it down beside the bathtub and then stood up and looked down at it. Much obliged. McGinnis." said the man Ira he close de- cision as to which got to him first. It seems rough on our friend here. but suppose it had to be done" The big Irishman could be seen softly in the dim light
 Sure it had" he said. at last, when his shoulders had ceased heaving. " Sure it had. Faith, There was no telling what the lad might do once he got out. He'd a-spoilt yer story for yer. sure. and he might have laid | wait for our murdering frind in the street and warned him off. The gent | we're waiting ford pay well. I'm for a little tip, wouldn't he. ould sport?
 The eyes of the man on the floor | glared angrily up at his captors. BegOrra." continued McGinnis. believe the rat meant to turn few | honest pennies doing that very thing!
 Bruce nodded Then he stopped. | picked up something on the floor, and | held it up to the narrow window. T.