Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-03-08

By Encouragement CreWe was to
have been waiting for me at the foot
of the elevator. It was large build
ing, containing some dozen floors, all
packed with offices; beneath, three tel
ephone girls were busy at their boards,
while a number of small telephone
booths accommodated those who
wished to communicate with other
parts of the town.
/ Incnlace of Crewe found awaiting
me an inspector of the telephone COM
pany, wearing the distinctive hat OF his
/ office. | gazcd at him; something
about his appearance seemed familiar;
suddenly l perceived that this was
| Crewe, but he had shaved Off his mus
| tache and his whole facial appearance
seemed to be changed. lie saw my rec
IGNITION of him and gave me the slight
| est look of warning.
Crewe advanced toward the tele-
Phone boards and planted himself be-
tween two of the girls.
"You have call from SGT Sixth ave
nue." he said. This was Randall's Of
! fee nUmb-r.
"Fcr Sc14 Harlem" enc of the girls
responded.
! oct me the street and number i'm.
med.ata.--," said Crewe Get into the
boct.l," he continued to me in wits.
! per.
I had hardly slipped into the booth
nearest me before saw Randall step
cut of the elevator and, after glancine
! secretive!y around in order to make
sure that he was ncs followed, hurry
out into the street.
''T'm trying to get Central, sir" said
the girl to Crewe.
Hurry them up" said Crewe. A mo-
ment later Central responded
''The number is 246 Wilcox avenue. "
said the girl.
Without a word Crewe hurried into
the street, where I Joined him. He
hailed a taxicab and we leaped in.
Crewe gave the address that the girl
had mentioned.
Now, Langton," he said as wo
leaned back, TIE question is whether
Randa:: I'll! present that check for
payment first or whether, as is more
probable, he will go straight to his
confederates. Undoubtedly all their
plans are laid for quick getaway. II
he should go first to the bank we shall
still be in time to apprehend the
others, and undoubtedly we can sum-
mon Randall to meet us by extracting
from them the password, or whatever
sign they have agreed upon"
He called to the driver to make more
speed and we drove through the slush,
sending it flying in muddy cloud on
either side of us. Soon we had left the
business section behind us and were
speeding up Lexington avenue. The
park appeared; we passed it and ap'
preached the Harlem district.
"You are armed?" I asked.
Crewe shook his head. ut will not
be necessary" he answered when
spoke of confederates, Langton, /
should have used the singular. AS a
matter of fact, Randall has only one
confederate an elderly man, and some.
what infirm. The shock of our appear
ance will be sufficient to disarm the
pair of them"
At last we turned into Wilcox ave.
nue.. No. 246 was a small tobacco.
lists shop, with a pool room at the
back, in which a number of ill-favored
persons were playing upon a half
dozen dirty tables. Crewe looked
around him in some dismay.
Hes 'trickier than I thought" he
said. "This place is only a way-sta
tion."
Want game, gentlemen" asked
the proprietor, coming forward with an
ill-smelling cigar between his lips.
II want a word with you," said
Crewe, pulling him to one side. He
looked through into the pool room; a.
the players were engaged and ii
seemed unlikely that we would be dis
turbed for few minutes at least
Crewe took the fellow by the lapel OF
the coat.
'Did you convey that message to the
old gentleman" he asked.
The fellow started, but instantly re
gained his composure.
What old gentleman" he asked.
"None of that" said Crewe. Things
have gone wrong. Our friend cannot
be here. Is everything packed?"
The man hesitated and looked
around shiftily.
81 can't talk to you until Mr.. Somers
arrives" he said.
"Mr. Somers will not arrlvo." cried
Crewe in evaporation. do y5u want
to- queer the whole game? Will you
give him a telephone message from
me-"
what is it?" demanded the fellow
sourly.
Tell him to take a taxi and meet us
at the Grand Central, in the smoking
room. Mr.. Somers will be there. Stop!
I must use your telephone moment
He went to the instrument and made
as if to take down the receiver; then
checked himself.
"See here, Mister" said the fellow
81 don't know you and I've got my or
ders strict Now, if send your mes
sage, will you step outside the store Sc
that you won't overhear the NUMBER
"That sounds good enough" sal
Crewe. He took me by the arm an
r,a o,,t ,ff h. tho nj,