Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1911-07-14
If he could only find that cabby.

If he could only find that cabby.
Perhaps if he tried at the Madison
square rank, Immediately
Besides, it was clearly his duty not
to remain in the fiat alone with the
jewels another night. There was but
one attainable place of safety for
them, and that the safe of a reputable
hotel. He would return to the Bar
tholdi at once, merely pausing on his
way to inquire of the cabmen if they
could send their brother-nighthawk to
him.
Maitland shook himself into his top
coat, jammed hat upon head, dropped
the jewels into one pocket, the ciga-
rette case into another and-on i'm
pulse-Anisty's revolver, with it's two
unexploded cartridges, into a third,
and pressed the call button for Ola
gan, not waiting, however, for that
worthy to climb the stair, but meeting
him in the entry hall.
I'm going back to the Bartholdi,
O'Hagan, for the night. You may bring
me my letters and any messages in the
morning. l should like you to sleep in
the fiat tonight and answer any tele-
phone calls"
"Yiss, Misther Maitland, sor."
Have the police gone, O'Hagan"
There's whole bottle full yet, sor."
You've not been drinking, I trust?"
The Irishman shuffled. "Shure, sor,
an wud that be hosphitible?"
Laughing, Maitland bade him good
night and left the house, turning west
to gain Fifth avenue, walking slowly
because he was little tired, and en-
joying the rather unusual experience
of being abroad at that hour without
company. The sky seemed cleaner
than ordinarily, the city quieter than
ever he had known it, and in the air
was sweet smell, reminiscent of the
ry-side-reminding one unhappi-
ly of the previous night when one had
gone whistling to ones destiny along
a perfumed country road
Good 'eavings, Mister Maitland, sir!
1t carnt be you!"
Maitland looked up, bewildered for
the instant. The voice that hailed him
out of the sky was not unfamiliar.
A cab that he had waited on the
corner to let pass, was refined back
suddenly. The driver leaned down
from the box and in a thunderstruck
tone advertised his stupefaction.
1T aren't in nature, sir-if yer'll
pardon my mentionin' it. But ere l
leaves you not ten minutes ago at the
st. Luke building and finds yer ere,
when you 'aven't 'ad time
Maitland woke up. What's that?"
he questioned, sharply. "You left me
where ten minutes-?"
"St. Luke buildin', corner Broadway
an"
Il know it," excited, "but-"
"-'avin' took yer there with the
young lady"
young LADY,"
that comes outer the 'ouse with
yer, sir"
"The DEVIL" Maitland hesitated no
longer; his foot was on the step as he
spoke. Drive me there at once, and
drive for all you're worth" he cried.
IF there's an ounce of speed in that
plug of yours and you don't get it
out"
Never fear, sir! Well make It in
five minutes!"
It'll be worth your while"
"Right-O!"
Maitland dropped into his seat,
dumfounded. Good Lord" he whis-
pered; and then, savagely:s "In the
power of that infamous scoundrel-!"
And felt of the revolver in his pocket.
The cab had been headed north; the
st. Luke rears its massive bulk south
of Twenty-second street. The driver
expertly swung his vehicle almost on
dead center. simultaneously it ca
reened with the impact of a heavy
bulk landing upon the step and falling
in heap on the deck.
my word, what's that?" came from
aloft. Maitland was altogether too
startled to speak.
The heap sat up, resolving itself
into the semblance of a man; who
spoke in decisive tones:
IF yeh're goin' there, I'm goin' with
yeh, r, yeh don't go-see?"
"The sleuth!" gasped Maitland, as
founded.
(TO BE CoNTINUED.)