The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-09-21


impairment intruder should: but the
Inspector sauntered across the room
to a bar on the further side as calmly
as II he we're the oldest and most
valued member in the club.
A pale-faced man with stained and
yellow beard rose from his seat be-
hind the glasses. His eyes were fixed
on Peace with weak. pathetic ex.
preston like dog In pain.
Good evening. MIR. Greatman." said
the inspector. Can have word
with your"
Eyes. sir. II you will kindly step into
my private ROOM" he answered in ex-
cellent English. opening a hatch in
the bar. This is the way. sir. IL you
viii follow me-"
We walked after him down o short
passage and stopped before the dark
ness OF an open door. A squirt OF
match and the gas Jet Jared upon a
bare chamber. hung with a gaudy pa
per and furnished with half dozen
wooden chairs set round a deal table
in the center In place Of a carpet,
our feet grated upon a smooth sprin-
king OF that grey sand which may
still be found In old-fashioned inns.
II was here then. If the detectives
were not mistaken. that this crime
had found a climax, this sordid muir
der not thirty hours old.
IF you would like fire. gentlenen.S
suggested Greatman, Il can easily
fetch some Goals"
Pray do not trouble yourself" said
the inspector. politely. my name is
Peace, OF the Criminal Investigation
Department. and called TO inquire II
you can tell me anything concerning
the murder OF the sculptor. Amazon. T"
Il know nothing"
"That is strange. seeing that he was
stFangled In this very room"
"Here?" cried the Pole, with stare
OF unbelief changing into sudden ter
ror Here in my room"
so | believe" said Peace.
The man swayed for an Instant.
grasping al the back OF a chair, and
then dropped TO the ground, moaning,
his face covered with his hands In
that crouching figure before us was
written the extremity Of despair
Come, come, Greatman, pull your.
self together" said the inspector. tap.
ping him kindly on the shoulder. III
you are innocent. there is no need TO
make all this fuss"
IT was Nicolin who lied TO me-" he
cried, looking up with bewildered eyes.
Very probably" said Peace, 1T is
n habit with him"
yet Il was !. miserable that | am,
who made the meeting between them.
Before Heaven. II was with the limo
cence OF a child If those my COM
rades OF the club but knew"
He hesitated, his eyes searching the
room In sudden terror
"Oblige me by seeing that we have
no comrades already at the keyhole,
Mr. Phillips said Peace.
There was no one at the door; no
one In the dark passage; and when |
returned found that Peace had lifted
the caretaker to a chair. where he sat
In a crumpled heap.
You can trust US" the detective
was saying Believe me. Greatman.
Il VIII be best for yourself that you
hide nothing"
And so with many fierce cries and
protestations. this poor creature be
gan his story.
II was Nicolin, II seemed. who had
discovered that Greatman, the care
taker OF the Brutus Club, was one and
the same with the forger, Ivan Knoll,
OF Odessa. who had been wanted by
the Russian police for close upon
twelve years. But having n shrewd
head on his shoulders, Nicolin made
no immediate use OF his knowledge.
For forgery a man might be extra
dited from England Once In Russia
the charge would be altered 10 nihil-
ism, and then Siberia. IL was not
pleasant for the caretaker OF nihil-
ist club 10 BE- at the mercy of black.
bearded spy lounging on the step out
side 1T was that which drove me TO
the brandy" said poor Greatman.
alias Knoll
+ About the end OF August there be
/ gan. he continued. a duel OF wits be
tween the two men Rmaroff and
4 Nicolin, the reasons and causes OF
which did not, II he might be per
mitted to say. concern us Nicoln's
career was dependent on his success.
For him. failure spelt permanent dis
grace. Yet Il was Amaroff who was
/ playing with his opponent as a cat
with mouse. confusing and surpris-
ing him AZ every turn. driving him.
indeed. when time grew pressing into
desperate measures At the last he
formed plan. did Nicolin. a scheme
worthy OF his most cunning brain.
This, then. ne did" ended the poor
caretaker. "He came 90 mel who
had so great love and honor for Amar-
on, my friend. whom he had turned
from crime and aided TO earn wage