Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-24


whisper again in his ear, and 10 feel ,
himself rescued from the pool of slush ,
in which he had been left to stand.
The approach is not all that can be
desired" remarked the detective as
they entered what appeared to be a /
low shed. "The broken board has
been put back and securely nailed in
place, and If an not very much mis-
taken there is a fellow stationed in
the yard who will want the password
too. Looks shady to me. I'll have
something to tell the chief when l get
back"
, But wei What are we going to do
If we cannot get in front or rear?"
Were going to wait right here in
the hopes of catching glimpse Of our
man as he comes out" returned the
detective, drawing George towards
low window overlooking the yard he
had described as sentinelled. He will
have to pass directly under this win
dow on his way to the alley" Sweet
water went on to explain, "and if l
can only raise it-but the noise would
give US away. l can't do that"
Perhaps 1t swings on hinges" sug-
gested George. 1T looks like that
sort of a window"
( IF it should-weIli it does. We're
in great luck, sir. But before pull it
/ open, remember that from the mo-
ment l unlatch it. everything said or
done here can be heard in the ad-
! joining yard. So no whispers and no
unnecessary movements. When you
hear him coming, as sooner or later
you certainly will, fall carefully to
/ your knees and lean out just far
enough to catch a glimpse of him be-
: fore he steps down from the porch. If
he stops 20 light his cigar or to pass
few words with some of the men he
will leave behind, you may get plain
enough view of his face or figure to
identify him. The light is burning low
in that rear hall. but it will do. If it
does Motif you can't see him or IL
you do, don't hang out of the window
more than a second. Duck after your
first look. I don't want to be caught
at this job with no better opportunity
for escape than we have here. Can you
remember all that?"
George pinched his arm encourag-
ingly, and Sweetwater. with an amused
grunt, softly Unmatched the window
ard pulled it wide open.
A fine sleet flew in, impsrceptible
save for the sensation OF damp it
gave. and the slight haze il GiRused
through the air. Enlarged by this
haze. the building they were set to
watch rose in magnified proportions
at their left. The yard between, piled
nigh in the center with snow-heaps or
other heaps covered with snow, could
not have been more than forty feet
square. The window from which they
peered, was halfway down this yard,
so that a comparatively short distance
separated them from the porch where
George had been told to look for the
man he was expecting 10 identify. All
was dark there at present, but he
could hear from time to time some
sounds of restless movement, as the
guard posted inside shifted in his mar.
row quarters, or struck his benumbed
feet softly together.
But what came TO them from above
was more interesting than anything
, to be heard or seen below. A mans
: voice, raised to a wonderful pitch by
the passion of oratory, had burst the
. barriers of the closed hall in that tow
. ering third story and was carrying its
tale to other ears than those within.
Sweetwater, in whom satisfaction
: was fast taking the place of impa
thence and regret, pushed the window
to before asking George this question
Did you hear the voice of the maj
whose action attracted your attention
outside the Clermont?"
NO"
Did you note just now the larg'
shadow dancing on the ceiling owe
the speakers head"
Yes, but could Judge nothing from
that"
"Well, he's a rum one. I shan't opeI
this window again till he gives sign
Of reaching, the end Of his speech. tt
too cold"
, But almost Immediately he gave
start and, pressing Georges arm, az
peared TO listen, not to the speed
which was no longer audible, but u
movement in the adjoining yard. A
least, so George Interpreted the quicl
n turn which this impetuous detectiv
made, and the pains he took to direc
Georges attention to the walk ruI
ming under the window beneath whic
l they crouched. Some one was stea
ing down upon the house at their lef
, from the alley beyond. A big mar
whose shoulder brushed the winGo'
as he went by. George felt his han
| seized again and pressed as this hal
pened, and before he had recoyere
from this excitement, experienced al
other quick pressure and still anothe
as one, two, three additional figure
went slipping by. Then his hand va
: suddenly dropped, for a cry had she
up from the door where the sentinc
, stood guard, followed by a sudde
loud slam, and the noise of shootin
bolt, which, proclaiming as it did tia
! the invaders were not friends b.
enemies to the cause which was bein
; Wanted above, so excited Sweetwate
r that he pulled the window wide ope
| and took bold look out. George 70
3 lowed his example and this was whi
they saw: