Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1912-03-29
CHAPTER xxII.-(contlnusd.)

TO head on the Hindoos," cried
pritS. Lets get a cab" But the
last taxicab on the Renaissance stand
had been chartered an hour before
b swarthy man who seemed to be
II great haste. That much Britt
Earned from the inspector In charge
cf the stand. Britz and Fitch round
ID the corner Of the hotel. Close to
The curb stood q private coupe. The
coschman doubtless on a long wait.
vas nodding sleepily. Britz ierked
open door OF the carriage.
lump In, quick!" he cried, and
itch, who long ago had learned to
carry out Britt suggestions without
stopping to ask questions. sprang into
ne cab. Britt slammed the door with
violence that awoke the coachman.
Before the driver could utter a word
n protest the athletic detective
reached the box beside him in a single
lesp. pushed him on with shove
nat landed the amazed jehu on his
hands and knees on the sidewalk,
sized the reins, snatched the whip,
and put the horse to gallop. AS he
sped away. he hastily changed the
rhip to the hand that held the rib
bons. and. whipping from his pocket
card that read. Detective ieuten-
ant Britz. Police Headquarters" he
hung Il at the PROSTATE coachman
With the words: Call there tomor-
fov for your rig"
Then. with the horse straining at
he traces in indignant surprise, Britt
drove at breakneck speed down the
avenue. turning sharply at the first
cnvenient corner and heading east
pward the mysterious brown-stone
dwelling wherein he had held his In
lkresting interview in regard to the
Ways Of the Orient with the Eastern
nSe.
The galloping horse and the sway
hg carriage shook the echoes Of the
silent streets, and at several avenue
crossings trafic policemen started to
halt the Central once man. But In
each instance the detective shouted:
Tn Britt. Of Headquarters" and
hat 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 Glanced to be at that end of the
beat. and, followed closely by Fitch.
Re ran up the steps and pushed the
button Of the cleric bell Inside the
house. the burr-rr Of the little gong
sounded piercingly. Britt and Fitch
listened impatiently at the outer door
q me vestibule for responsive steps,
pot none came. Then the detective
recalled the thickness OF the rugs and
carpets In the house, and did not at
o'ce conclude no one was within.
onul ne had rung the bell several
nmas In vain he did not accept the
'aes that the house either was unten-
.a'eo. or was occupied by persons
Hnp aid not see at to answer. A word
" me bluecoat on the sidewalk, &C
ompanied by flash of a shield on
ne oetective's waistcoat, had told
nun The visit was a matter of police
business. Then Britt ran down the
.seps and tried the basement door.
as detective was equally unsuccess-
~ n his demands to obtain a re-
sponse to his ring Of the lower bell.
ns ran up the steps again and once
.efe pushed the button of the cleo
VIC call. No answer come. Brits
w.ned the handle of the door. To his
-'onishment. 1t turned freely, and
gentle push the door swung In
Ea The inner door OF the vestibule
aiar. Britt and Fitch entered
@auously. Their feet fell silently on
Ae heavy Oriental rug. They found
1seiVes in complete darkness
'ae thinner from the street lamp did
~ penetrate more than a foot or two
sslona the inner door. Britz vhisked
~ his electric torch and turned its
@'aiature headlight on the passage
-o On the area leading to the upper
part Of the house.
Heilo!" he called. rs anybody
enee as heavy and oppressive as
oarknnaa hovora A. -.At..~ -