The Arvada enterprise., 1911-03-02

Ms - -
nai,SssR wi,s' . So -: ave- y - up sGnsfns aetns
>somsscS; $ = g ,urse," Arca.
trante was shou,. - somebody here
Yq must not let anybody OUT"
lS.he elevator boy had been gaping in
sCeming 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.
mo! MOI" screamed Alcatrante
Orme had kept out of the discussion.
but now he spoke quietly. 81 think,
Senor Alcatrante"-he uttered the
name distinctly. knowing that the
South American probably did not wish
himself ,dentified-"I think that. If the
boy will take the car almost to the
bottom, the starter will help you"
There was 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
to0hrow 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 AlcatranteI
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, bulging purse. Alcatrante had
put 1t there.
Orme fingered the purse. He would
to drop 1t 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
Alcatrante, who was close in front of
him. Then his face relaxed and in
spite of the gravity of his situation he
smiled;e efor he had found solution
Promptly he acted upon it.
The car halted just below the ceiling
Of the first floor What's the matter
with you?" called a voice-the voice
of the starter.
Man robbed" said the elevator boy.
Bring the car down"
"No!' shouted Alcatrante. "The
thief is in the car. He must not es.
cape"
81 won't IT him out Bring the car
down"
The boy let the car descend to the
floor level. The starter placed himself
against the gate. Now then. who was
robbed?" he demanded.
Alcatrante crowded forward. ut was
|. My purse Is gone. had it Just
before got in"
"Oh, it was you, was it?" The start
er remembered the trouble Alcatrante
had made few minutes before. Sure
you didn't drop it?"
Il am certain that | did not"
The passengers were shuIing their
feet about, in vain effort to touch the
lost property. A young girl was gig
Cling Historically.
Perhaps you put it in the wrong
pocket, and didn't look careful
enough"
Il looked, looked" exclaimed Al. |
catrante. do you think | would not
know See! | put it in this pocket. !
which is now empty"
He thrust his hand into the pocket
which he had indicated Suddenly his |
expression changed to astonishment
Find it," grinned the starter
With the blankest of looIs Alca. |
trante pulled the purse from his pock-
ct. 1T was not there two minutes |
ago" he muttered.
You've been dreamin'," remarked |
the starter, opening the gate with
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 on the door. "Senor Alea-
trante." he said, this business must
end. shall simply have to call the
police"
AT your own risk" said Alcatrantc.
hen an ugly light flashed In his eyes
and his upper lip lifted above his yel.
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, to |
see whether the girl had hidden her.
sell She was not in view; indeed,