The Springfield herald., 1913-07-25


about, began to retrace his steps to
the corner.
Where they went under this officers
guidance, he cannot tell. The tortu-
GUS tangle of alleys through which he
now felt himself led was dark as the
neither regions to his unaccustomed
eyes. There was snow under his feet
and now and then he brushed against
some obtruding object, or stumbled
against low fence: but beyond these
slight miscalculations on his own part.
he was mere automaton In the hands
of his eager guide. and only became
his own man again when they sud
denly stepped into an open yard and
he could discern plainly before him
the dark walls of a building pointed
destination. Yet even here they en-
countered some impediment which
prohibited close approach. A wall
or shed cut off their view OF the build
ing's lower story: and though some
what startled at being left uncere-
moniously alone after just whispered
word of encouragement from the ever
ready detective, George could quite
understand the necessity which that
person must feel for quiet recon
noitering of the surroundings before
the two of them ventured further for
ward in their possibly hazardous un-
dertaking. Yet the experience was
none too pleasing to George, and he
was very glad to hear Sweetwaters
whisper again in his ear, and to feel
lat nIf ., -,
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 l am not very much mis-
taken there is a fellow stationed in
the yard who will want the password
te o. Looks shady to me. I'll have
something to tell the chief when l get
back"
-'But we! What are we going to do
IL we cannot get in front or rear?"
Were going to wait right here in
the hopes of catching a glimpse of our
man as he comes out" returned the
detective, drawing George towards a
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 q window"
"If 1t should-well! 1t does. We're
open, remember that from the mo-
ment unlatch it. everything said or
done here can be heard in theSad-
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 glimpse of him be-
fore he steps down from the porch II
he stops to 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. II 1t
does motif you can't see him or II
you do, don't hang ou. 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.
tngly, and Sweetwater. with an amused
grunt. softly unlatched the window
and pulled 1t wide open.