Arizona republican., 1912-04-26

l NSN'- tA ANA JOS- II IL NOAiCo Ols EIICU and l take you on as pardy Remem- Der this, too. If you like a melodra- matic way, and put pistol to their heads they can't shout police Darent. Remember. though. they'll likely put pistol to yours How's 1 that?"
 Not out!" replied Luck
 Don't come here again till you bring the reasons" said Napoleon. Adding drolly: We don't want to be mixed up with you" TT was just two days later when 1 Luck slipped a small but deadly thing of polished steel into his pocket. equipped himself with small Glad stone bag-empty-and took a han som to 121 Oxford Street ! Knocking at the door of Messrs. Allcrby and Weather's office, he met with no response. He put his head ! in and looked round; everything was orderly and quiet, but no clerk drove his pen at the high desk, and no blase | office boy played snap" with dummy He felt the blood creeping up in 1 furious wave to his head
 Too late' Cleared by God," he gritted silently, but while he stood there peering round the door, boy with letters to post ran down the cor ridor, and, passing, volunteered infor nation over his shoulder
 ''Allerby's clerk and his boy ave gorn out Got day of for it. Wish oi 'ad''
 Day of? What for?" said Luck.
 "Whaffor? Test match Australias in" He went on contemptuously Luck entered softly. and closed the door behind him. Very good, indeed Then let us hope MT. Allerby sat alone in the inner room.
 Now, sir" said Johnnie Luck to himself, grin on his lips and light in his eyes, flor the fun!" Tn he went into dead si- l lence on a dead man. There sat q ' stiff bulk that had once been the fat Allerby, with his head and arms Topped forward on the desk, and on everything near sickening spurts of red. A smashed inkpot lay upon the floor, near a broken walking stick. The coat was half ripped from the body at the desk There were signs of a murderous struggle before the murder was done.
 My God," said Luck involuntarily.
 His grin died. He was alert and watchful, alive to the danger of his ! position. He took of his hat to the
 dead thief as invountarily as he had
 addressed the Almighty, and touched
 him with experienced fingers. He had
 seen violent deaths in many forms out
 in the Northwest. Allerby had to all
 appearances been killed two or three
 hours ago. He was stiffening and
 cold.
 Luck glanced round, and pulled
 himself back to his errand. A look at the high desk showed him the
 panel slid back. and the aperture
 empty.
 Lost" said Luck, gritting his teeth. Lost, by an hour or two!" He thought frenziedly Fowler v
 flashed into his brain. Better go on and get what's left anyway" He
 trod on something He stopped and picked it up. It was an enamel waist
 coat button.
 He pushed the dead man back in , his chair to look at his waistcoat. All l the buttons were on. He dropped the button into his pocket, went out locked the door behind him, and took the key, knowing that every hOur's , grace before the murder was discov- , cred would probably be valuable. He was rather pale under his tan when
 he came out into Oxford Street but
 as nonchalant looking as ever. He took a bus to Ludgate Circus-a
 harassed bus conductor can remem
 Der less of faces than a more leisured . cab driver, probably-and left the key
 in it.
 It was just after five o'clock. but
 'Mr. Fowler is in, sir" said the aff2
 ble little clerk Peaswood. Step this
 way
 Luck was shown in on the wooden f faced man.
 'I think I have had the pleasure before, sir" said Fowler after pause 3 during which his eyes had fixed them l selves on Luck's face. Some bother f about your housekeeper. as far as } remember. But I'm very busy--very , pressed indeed for time this after noon, and I'm afraid I must treat you , with scant civility. Sorry, indeed, tc l treat a wouId-be client-' } Luck's glance had found the mans waist-coat buttons. The third was f missing.
 My business" he rejoined. "i: l merely to restore some property tt
 you"
 He held out his hand, and in th'
 palm of it lay an enamel waistcoa
 button Fowler suddenly began tt stare horribly. Luck added: n 'I have just come from an office called Allerby and Weathers." n 1 ?. k<