Semi-weekly herald., 1912-01-22
{ XXI.
Hot on the Scent.

practfced eye entry to the apartment
had been made through the window
by some one skilled in daring burg
larry 1t gave on the fire escape. Britz
hung up the sash and looked out AS
ne expected. there was long string
OF ladders and balconies that ended
one story above the street. The fire
escape was at the least frequented
end of the big hotel, and an awning
threw shadow from an arc lamp on
the globe big enough to afford oppor-
tunity for an agile man to mount on
the shoulders of comrades, grasp the
second-story window and swing him
self up unseen. He let his eyes fall
on the balcony one story below the
window. On It lay something yellow.
= crumpled as If dropped inadvertently.
Britz ran down the ladder and re-
turned to the room with the object
II was an Oriental handkerchief such
as he had seen in the Swamis pos
session
1t was perfectly plain to Britt that
the Hindoos had been beforehand
with him In recovering the Missioner
Jewels. By this time he knew enough
to be certain that their object in get
ting possession of the gems was even
stronger than the professional pride
that mad actuated him to recover them
for their owner. He was aware they
had reason yet to be explained why
they were In such desperate hurry
TO take the stones of the necklace, or
AT least one of them-the Maharanee
to india. Even now they might be
aboard a vessel that would put to sea
In few hours leaving no trace OF
their departure. Or, 1t might be they
were beyond the city limits on their
way to another port of exit He
must stop them at all hazards. He
leaped to the telephone, called Police
Headquarters. got Manning on the
wire. and asked the Chief to give per-
sonal attention to the request he was
about to make.
Notify all precincts" said Britz,
ito stop every man of Oriental ap-
pearance attempting to leave the city
by boat or train Have all the ferries
watched, and send double detail to
the Grand Central Station. Telephone
the Associated Press for list OF the
vessels about to sail today; have the
water front watched for tramp steam
ers. and don't forget the small craft.
both sail and steam"
Have you found the jewels?" asked
Manning. at the other end of the
wire.
MOI" roared Britz. but l will have
them In a few hours, If you'll make
the bunch hustle to help me- VIII
you attend to all this yourself. Chief?"
Britz found Doctor Fitch waiting
for him on the sidewalk. as he had ar
snged before entering the apartment
o. Mrs. Delaroche in the guise of a
burglar, and In a single word told the
physician how he had been balked in
the chief object of his nocturnal visit
"Quick's the word now, doci" said
Britt.
Where are you going?" asked
Fitch.
ITO head off the Hindoos," cried
Britt. Lets get cab" But the
last taxicab on the Renaissance stand
had been chartered an hour before
by swarthy man who seemed to be
in great haste. That much Britz
learned from the inspector in charge
OF the stand. Britz and Fitch round
ed the corner OF the hotel. Close to
the curb stood private coupe. The
coachman doubtless on a long wait.
was nodding sleepily. Britz jerked
open door of the carriage.
Jump In, quick!' he cried, and
Fitch. who long ago had learned to
carry out Britz' suggestions without
stopping to ask questions. sprang into
the cab. Britz slammed the door with
a violence that awoke the coachman.
Before the driver could utter word
of protest the athletic detective
reached the box beside him In single
leap, pushed him off with a shove
that landed the amazed jehu on his
hands and knees on the sidewalk,
seized the reins, snatched the whip.
and put the horse to gallop As he
sped away he hastily changed the
whip to the hand that held the rib
bons. and, whipping from his pocket
q card that read, observation-disclosures
ant Britz, Police Headquarters" he
flung 1t at the PROSTATE coachman
with the words: Call there tomor-
row for your rig"
Then, with the horse straining at
the traces in indignant surprise, Britz
drove at breakneck speed down the
avenue, turning sharply at the first
convenient corner and heading east
toward the mysterious brown-stone
dwelling wherein he had held his in
teresting interview in regard to the
ways of the Orient with the Eastern
sage.
The gallcping horse and the sway.
ing carriage shook the echoes of the
silent streets. and at several avenue
crossings trafiic policemen started to
halt the Central Office man. But in
each instance the detective shouted:
I'm Brftz, OF Headquarters." and
that averted interruption as he dashed
on toward the Swami's house at TOP
speed. Arriving there. he hastily
handed the ribbons to a patrolman
who chanced to be at that end OF the
beat, and. followed closely by Fitch,
he ran up the steps and pushed the
button of the elecric bell. Inside the
house. the burr-rr Of the little gong
sounded piercingly Britz and Fitch
listened impatientiy at the outer door
of the vestibule for responsive steps,