The Yale expositor., 1911-09-14


or woman to be placed in the prison
er's dock, a conviction almost always
followed.
"Griswold, Sands, Ali, Blodgett-"
The names presented themselves to
the sleuth's mind in that order as he
FASTENED along with no particular
place as an objective-merely walking
to stimulate his mental process. 1t
always frightened Britt to pass the
panorama of fashion in Fifth avenue.
1t was with an almost fatherly feel
ing he glanced at the rich, the debon-
air, the gay sauntering along the side
walks or rolling In automobiles and
carriages up and down the asphalt.
The safety of their wealth, sometimes
Of their very lives, depended on the
vigilance, courage and efficiency of
himself, and Of the few men like him
on the police force Of New York. So
far as the rank and file of the depart
ment were concerned, those care-free
sons and daughters Of opportunity
might be at the mercy Of the ablest
birds Of prey in the human flock. 1t
worked and watched and waited so
patiently, so devotedly so ceaselessly,
that fashion and finance, coquetry and
commerce, could bask in the sunshine
of metropolitan prosperity.
A dark-blue limousine standing at the
corner of Forty-fourth street caught
his attention. For q moment he
cftt al h0 -1n ol- AI II
Then he stopped short, retraced his
steps, crossed to the east side Of the
avenue, and, through the windows Of
a waiting cab, trained his gaze on
Sherry's fashionable restaurant in
front of which the costly automobile
stood. Dimly, through the filmy lace
curtains, he saw the figures of those
lingering over afternoon tea, with
few early diners. He could not dis
tinguish their faces, but something in
the bearing of woman at the first
window held his glance. Then
waiter, moving silently about the Ia
BILE, CHANGED to part the curtains with
his elbow, and in the momentary gap
between the folds of film Britt saw
the blonde beauty Of Mrs. Missioner,
and the clear-cut features of Curtis
Griswold.
Britt settled himself to wait. The
cabman, whose vehicle he was using
as a redoubt, looked at him inquiring-
ly, but the detective fished out of his
pocket fat cigar with scarlet-and-
gold band, and in a moment he and
the cabby were chatting amiably. The
headquarters man had not long to
wait Before the cabman had gone
far into discussion Of the current po-
litical crisis, the door of the restau-
rant across the street was swung open
by boy in many buttons, and Mrs.
Missioner appeared on the threshold.
She was followed closely by Griswold
and, after a moments pause to glad
den the heart of the much-buttoned
youth, by q man the watching detec-
tive was somewhat surprised to see
Bruxton Sands.
Home" said Mrs. Missioner to her
chauffeur. Britt could not hear the
word, but he read 1t from her lips.
He saw the widow step into her limou-
sine, saw Sands and Griswold follow.
saw the chauffeur throw his clutch.
saw the big car glide swiftly south to
wheel for a northward trip along the
avenue. Before the automobile
reached a turning point, the detective
sprang into the cab, whispered an ad.
dress to the driver, and added In a
low tone:
Double your fare for speed"
The cabman dashed his horse and,
knowing his craft, threaded his way
through the traffic so quickly that in
short time he was several blocks
ahead Of the limousine. All the way
up the avenue the race continued,
Britt we'll in the lead. At the Fifty
ninth street entrance, the automobile
swung into the park, but the cabman
urged his horse straight up Fifth ave.
nue., and so great was the gain made
by the short cut that few blocks fur
Their north he dropped his fare in
front of a mansion Of imposing ugli-
ness, touched his hat in acknowledge
ment of generous fee, and was bowl
ing eastward, halfway to Madison ave-
nue., when the Missioner car reap
peared from the parks Seventy-sec-
ond street gate.
You at least can stop for a minute
of gossip" said Mrs. Missioner over
her shoulder as she preceded Sands
and Griswold into her library. Ell
nance and club affairs can wait lit
tie while, and-oh!"