The evening world., 1912-06-18
CHAPTER XIII.
Michael Phelan's Predicun,ent


lT WAS as II . great burden
had been removed from his
ahoulders Leaving the win
dow and stepping back into
w. the room. Travers Gladwin
stretched his arms above his head and
sxhaled . long breath Of satisfaction.
'Now / can sit down and await de-
velopments." he said to himself. slip
ping into . chair and stretching out
his legs. "and II will only remain for
Michael Phelan to turn up or to fail
- turn up and the mystery of the
escape u explained. Poor Phelsn, he
must DO . terrific simplebon. and I
suppose I am partly to bla"-
His case had wandered to the great
chest. tho lid OF which was distinctly
rising.
Before Gladwin could Jump to his
feet the I'D was thrown back and there
eat the subject of his soliloquy IN his
shirt sleeves, Jerking his head about
like a tack-in-the-box
Where in blazes am r. he groaned
us his eyes made out Travers Gladwin.
you seem to be In the chest" re-
piled the young man, covering his
mouth with his hand.
''Howly murtherl me uniform Is gone
again exploded Phelan struggling to
his feet and examining his shirt sleeves
as II he feared he We're the victim or
witchcraft.
He climbed out Of tho chest and
turned = vindictlve glance upon Glad
win, who composed his features and
said:
Not guilty this time, officer"
Phelan stared at him stupidity for
\ second and then let his arms and
shoulders go limp. lie was luguor-
Ously pathetic figure as he turned up
his eyes and muttered:
Snow. I remember-they took II OFT
me and drugEed me an rammed me
into the chest. Wurra! Wurra! I'm
q goner now for shure.'
Gladwin was about TO speak when
there was a run Of feet on the STAIRS
and In burst Capt. stone ana DetectiVe
Kearney. At the sight OF Phelan the
captain recoiled and his jaw dropped
Kearney likewise regarded him In blank
establishment.
where's your uniform. Phelan?"
roared Capt. Stone whom he could get
his breath.
''They took It or me-drugged me
an half murdered me-eight OF 'em,
whned Phelan.
Eight OF 'em," yelled the captain
'"There was only one Of them. YOU
numskull."
II hope to croak II there wasn't two
of 'em with the stren'th of eight,
retolned Phelan. wiping his drippinl
forehead and rolling his eyes. An
they chloroformcd me an stuffed nj
into the chest. You can ask Mr.
Gladwln."
IF YOU let that thief escape In YOU
uniform, Mike Phelan." stormed the in
furlated captain, I'm break you TO-
morrow. And as for you. Mr.. Gladwin
n you had a hand In this"-
"Calm yourself. captain" returned the
young man. Il am unable TO claim the
honor. Just happened In here as MI
Phelan was coming out OF the chest
"Why did that Jap make such n thun
bcring racket upstairs?" broke In Near
new. THE whole thing looks to me lik'
frame-up."
Travers Gladlwin shrugged MS shoui
ders and said easily:
considering the number OF police
men on the Job, does It not also take OF
the aspect OF a slip-up? 1t would MAXI
rather amusing reading in the news
papers. but II you prefer. gentlemen
we car iet the matter drop rlgh' mere.
Cant Stone and Kearney looked a
each other and found no coihfort u
ZACH others countenances
Gwen though he got away with 500,
900 worth of my paintings, sHpp,hg gu
from under your very noses Gladwli
nressed his advantage. II may. for tn
sake Of avoiding no,orlety, decide tina
n is best to keep the thing quiet o
course, II Is In your power to compe
publicity"
mot against your wishes SIR" SAX
Cant. Stone meekly.
sand you, Mr.. Kearncy,' smiled IN
Young man, looking M into the froWh
ing vsage of the much advertised cen
trail Office man.
"capt Stonc Is my superior officer,
said Kearney shortly, through com
pressed lips.
Very well. then. Captain" Gladwii
ran on, I'VE will just drop the inciden
from our minds. You will oblige me b.
calling OF your men at once"