The Delta independent., 1911-10-20
Britt of
HI eadquarter rs
By
MARGIN Barber
g LUSTRATIO NS BY
RAY WALTERS

Ile pdJdUld Squdu at lhe Sight VI LIS
captivity Undeniably heroic was its
surge toward him. Faces grim with
postscript bravery were thrust into
the prisoners, and voices raging from
mockery to Indignation bombarded
him with questions. All of which the
prisoner met with sullen silence and
with looks that made the squad re-
treat pace or two in spite of the
hrmness with which his captors held
him. Mrs. Delaroche's fading screams
guided the little group to her apart
ment, where the hands of ministering
angels had adjusted her peignoir to it's
normal position upon her Junoesque
form and fastened its nuttering rib
bons in becoming bows. She there re
ceived the heroes of the man hunt
with astonishing composure.
"Is this the man who robbed you
madam" asked one of the men who
had caught the burglar. He was the
house detective. Stand behind him
JIM" he said to his colleague, por
ter with the fullback's shoulders
TT must be-" said Mrs. Delaroche
but | cannot tell by his face. | did
not see 1t. 1t looks like the man
though Make him speak"
But that task was beyond the house
detectives powers. irresponsible
though his mind might be as com
pared with the city's sleuth's and blue
coats, he hardly felt justified in EN-
ploying the most medieval forms oil
torture to accomplish that purpose
Seemingly, nothing short of the boot
the thum bscrew and the Iron Maiden
would drag word from the captive
He maintained his sullen silence, al
though 1t might be said he broke 1t In
q way. for the furious looks he cas-:
at the pajama squad were almost audi
BILE. Those looks caused several OF
the squads doughty heroes suddenly
to realize the unconventionality OF
their attire, and to send them precip-
itously in search of dressing gowns.
One or two Of them remained. how
ever and the house detective, who. In
hotels as frostily patrician as the
Renaissance, did not often have an
opportunity to hold the center OF the
stage. was fairly we'll content with
his audience.
Nov. then. you!" he said. brusque-
What we're you doing here?"
He got my jewels!" cried Mrs. Del
aroche.
The prisoner turned one Of his sui
len looks upon her. but, conscious that
she was robed as daintily as the most
fastidious society actress in the Du
Barryest of bedroom scenes could be
her equanimity was not so vulnerable
as that of the deserters from the pa
jana squad.
He took the whole case of jewels
from under my pillow" she continued.
addressing the house detective. They
must be in his possession still, unless
he dropped them while he was running
away"
I'VE will soon find out" said the
leading man. Jim. go through him -
Jim only shrugged those fullback
shoulders when the burglar attempted
to petrify him with a look. and his
search through the prisoners pockets
was thorough Mrs. Delaroche gasped
her delight when from the captive's
coat the porter drew forth heavy sill
yer casket, and held it toward her.
rs that your property. madam p
asked the house detective.
Eyes, yes" said Mrs. Delaroche, Gag
erly. oh. dear. am so glad he die
not escape with 1t. What would"
She checked herself hastily.
You must come to me In the morn
ing MIMI for a reward" she add
ed in tones SO sweetly suggestive of t
golden guerdon that the detective
eyes glistened.
Thank you, madam, that is not nee
essary," he replied perfunctorily
Lets see what else this fellow ha
got"
He and the porter explored the car
tive's pockets further, but found moth
ing more in the way of loot. Mrs
Delaroche looked hastily through he
desk and dressing table and told tn
man apparently nothing else was mis-
ing.
Then" said the house detective. :
guess there is nothing else for US I
do but to turn this burglar over to tn
police. May we use your telephon
madam"
Mrs. Delaroche gladly nodded assen
and the sleuth continued:
Jim, call up Headquarters, ar
have couple of men sent here to tai
this fellow away"
The effect of that command upc
the prisoner startled everyone. N
only did 1t cause him to break his S,
len silence. but 1t drew from hi
words that made the house detecti'
involuntarily loose his hold on the mi
and step back, staring. Jim's jaw fe
and Mrs. Delaroche gazed at the Il
low. wide-eyed.
'I can save you that trouble" sa
the burglar. you need not telephol
for the Central ONCE men. | am Lie