Mrs. Grundy. (Tracy City, Tenn.) 1903-1930, 1911-03-30

prosecute. One advantage to Alca.
trante would be the opportunity of
| getting assistance while Orme was In
the hands of the police so that after
the prisoner was released he would
have more than one person to contend
with. Aicatrante would give up acting
| alone
Somebody has my pursel" Alca.
trante was shouting. Somebody here!
You must not let anybody QUIT"
The elevator boy had been gaping in
seeming paralysis. but now several of
| the passengers---men who doubtless
were sure of their positons--were an
grily ordering him to take the car
| down Some of them had trains to
| catch
| mol Not" 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 identified---"I think that, II the
boy will take the car almost to the
bottom. the starter will help you"
There was q 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 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 over
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, bullying purse. Alcatrante had
put It there.
Orme fingered the purse. He would
have to get rid of It, but he dared not
to drop 1t to the floor, and II he thrust
II through the grating and let il fall
, into the elevator well, some one would
be almost certain to detect the action.
, There was only moment left before
the car would stop. He looked down at
Alcatrante, 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
, Promptly he acted upon It.
|, The car halted Just below the ceiling
| of the first floor What's the matter
! with your" called 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"
Il won't let him out Bring the car
down.
The boy let the car descend to the
floor level The starter placed himself
against the gate. Nov then, who was
robbed?" he demanded.
Alcatrante crowded forward. 1T was
, |. My purse is gone. | had 1t just
before got in"
| w. IL was yOlt was ~ no 6IdIt
, er remembered the trouble Aicatrante
had made few minutes before Sure
, you didn't drop it,"
81 am certain that did not"
The passengers were shuffiing their
fleet about, in vain effort TO touch the
, lost property. A young girl was gig
| Cling Historically.
, Perhaps you put 1t in the wrong
pocket. and didn't look careful
. enough"
Il looked. | looked" exclaimed AL.
catrante do you think l would not
know. See! put 1t in this pocket
which is now empty"
. He thrust his hand into the pocket
which he had indicated. Suddenly his
expression changed to establishment
Find it," grinned the starter.
With the blankest of looks Alca,
trante pulled the purse from his peck
ct. 1T was not there two minutes
age" he muttered.
You've been dreamin'," remarked
the starter, opening the gate with a
bang. All out!"
Orme chuckled to himself. In a mo
ment Alcatrante would realize how the
purse had been replaced In his pocket
and he would be furious. Meantime
Orme entered another elevator, to GO
back to the eighth floor, and, as he had
expected, the minister followed him.
When they were outside the office Of
the Wallingham company Orme paused
his hand OF the door. "Senor Alca
trante." he said, this business must
end. | shall simply have to call the
police"
Il AT your own risk" said Alcatrante
Then an ugly light flashed in his eyes
, and his upper lip lifted above his vel
low teeth. You got the better of me
there In the elevator he snarled
You won't get the better again"
, Orme opened the office door. He
glanced about the reception room, tc
see whether the girl had hidden her
. self. She was not in view; indeed
, there was even no one at the inquiry
I window
The door Of the great sample re-
frigerator was ajar only two or three
| feet. When Orme was there a few
minutes before it had been wide open