Arizona republican., 1911-03-24

desultory manner. IL was evident ne
had little hope. Having told Poe all
that had been learned, he summed VI
in weary, disheartened tone. You
see, it's something extraordinary. A
crime greater than the Manhattan rob
berry, in rs; greater than the Kensing.
ton job"
Christopher Poe leaned back, thought
fully knitting his slender fingers to-
gether, and two lines deepened into q
cynical set, one at each side Of his
mouth, drawing the ends of the sensi-
tive nose 10 the corners of his witch
ing lips. He did not speak for full
minute; then looked up with those IN
tense violet eyes that puzzled all man
kind, and remarked: You say the
man your Waterman saw had a dead
white facet"
Cribben looked up at him with mix
ture of doubt and disappointment.
what possible difference can that
made? He doesn't answer the descrip-
tion of any known criminal"
Poe caught the irritation in his tone
and the lines deepened around his
mouth. He answered in a musing
tone, almost as though talking to him
self, | thought maybe he took burmese
or the white stuff. If that's the case
we may hear some hoptalk somewhere.
Those gervers often let something slip
in brassing up the bundle of rag"
What kind of lingo is that?"
cried the cashier, irascibly. Are you
an insane man or a detective?"
Poe Strengthened up, threw out his
square chest and took a deep respira-
ton; his mouth, which had suddenly
frightened. relaxed. and the wrinkles
in his cheeks grew deeper, as he re
piled in a pleasant tone:
Neither You'll pardon me for
talking shop. The jargon is so fasci-
mating. you know. It's comfort to the
mouth. like those exquisite preserved
rose leaves one gets in Turkey"
Cribben's eyes widened, as though he
had suddenly encountered a forged
check. He scanned Poe with an inclu-
sive frown and then sank back in his
chair, his manner more hopeless than
before; for time had grayed the one
word Business on his brow; trifling
naturalness had been stamped out OF
his character by the little punch with
which he had cancelled checks for
years.
merely borrowed from the thief's
own language" Poe went on, to in
fer that, as the man had fixed pale
face and watery eyes he might be an
opium fiend. and possibly could be
found In some New York den, where
the BUNDLE or swag, is often divided
and that he might let out something
while under the influence of the drug"
Oh, see; jumping at conclu:
sionsi Cribben seemed relieved by
the explanation. But let's stick TO
facts. The safes back there and over
two million dollars is somewhere else.
I'd like 10 have them connected"
BY all means, let's look at It." re-
piled Poe. following the all-but-pomp-
Gus cashier to the temporary barricade
about the safe.
Poe crouched down and swung the
big outer door open. so that the small
drilled hole could be seen in a better
light.
Clever! he exclaimed to the cash
Ter. The fellow studied this lock a
long time. He's made the hole In the
single vulnerable spot and lined up the
tumblers so they dropped when he
punched through. Think of boring a
hole for a year. "A" He looked up and
held out on his palm perfectly round
I'd bit Of wood, the size of pencil, two
inches long. and enameled glistening
black at one end.
What's that?" cried Cribben.
" Where'd you get 1t? What do you
mean by working at the hole for over
a year," He bent closer and fingered
the round, smooth piece blankly.
You can see here, at the mouth of
the hole" answered Poe. indicating
with his slim forefinger. 6" It's more
than year old, should say. from the
number of rings which show where he
left of drilling each time. This stick
fits exactly in the hole. l found It on
the floor here. Evidently overlooked
You notice the end is enameled?"
Yes. But what's the point?"
breathed the other.
Why. it's evident, The burglar
had access to the safe in some manner
for over a year and managed, bit by
bit. to drill through the steel. At first
he probably puttied and painted over
the small hole. Then, as, 1t became
deeper, he made this stick to plug 1t
with, and enameled the end to match
the safe door, the spot being so small
as to escape notice. He did his stint
OF work every so often and replaced
the plug each time to conceal all traces.
Then when he calculated to within an
eighth of an inch-of the spot where he
could get the tumblers into alignment
he simply waited for a chance and
turned the trick"
But no one could do this. John
Beggs is the only man ever left alone
with the safe; he couldn't play a part.
I told you he is above suspicion
I'm quite sure Of It. l just had a
look at him. He hasn't enough
brains" was the reply, as Poe turned
to an examination Of the inner door
Well, the electrical work was neatly
DONE" he remarked. "The burglar
cleaned up after himself like an old
maid, leaving no clues"
The electric signal service was next
discussed, and Poe seemed greatly puz-
zled to learn that the main Office had
been called at five-fifteen the afternoon
before. as usual, and had set the burg
lar alarm in reply. The system was a
bit old-fashioned. giving protection
ou1v after the hank door wao olooah