The Washington herald., 1913-06-08
CHAPTER XII.
Thirty Seconds More.

|
At o'clock the following morning
five men grouped in McCarthy's Office
talking earnestly. barrow and JACK
Warford had been the first to arrive
Mccarthy did not seem SURPRISED tc
see them; nor did, he greet them with
belligerence.
'Well?" he demanded.
''Well?" repeated Darrow, sinking
gracefully to one corner of the table
You're an old fool, Mccarthy. What
good did you think it would do you
to arrest me?"
Il intended to sweat you confessed
the boss frankly, but l was too busy
Sweat me, en-" demanded barrow
with some amusement. so you decid-
ed not to, did you-hence the lack OF
enthusiasm on the part of the police
in effecting my recapture. You didn't
imagine l caused all this, did your
Il don't know" growled Mccarthy.
But if you,- or the other fellow, or
whoever or whatever it is, think you
can bluff me out, you or he or its
lett That's allT'
SO you've been getting more wire
less, have you:" surmised barrow.
Mccarthy cast surly glance toward
! Jack, whom previously he had ig-
nored
Yes" he admitted grudgingly.
barrow held out his hand. After a
moments hesitation Mccarthy thrust
forward a single yellow paper, and
Darrow read aloud in spite of the
boss warning gesture:
mccarthy: The sign has been sent
you and sent your people. You are
stubborn, but it shall not avail you.
You must go; and within twenty-four
hours. 1t will not avail you unless
you go. The Celtic leaves tomorrow
at noon. You must go on that ship.
| shall know whether or not you obey
me. Once more | shall warn you; one
more sign shall | send. Then shall
striker
Hes getting garrulous," remarked
barrow reffectively, but he's relieved
my mind. You'd better CO."
Col" cried Mccarthy, half starting
to his feet. Not on your life
Darrow surveyed him calmly.
YOU'RE getting ratified said he,
and it doesn't pay you particularly to
try to bluff me A jack-rabbit OF aver
age frmness could stampede you in
your present state of mind"
You think so?" sneered Mccarthy.
4 know so. And you're quite right.
If you attempt the game too long, he'll
destroy you"
How demanded Mccarthy.
Take my word for it, he can do it ~
replied Darrow.
Mccarthy ruminated, drumming his
thick fingers on the desk
Find him." said he, at last
In intend to- replied Darrow.
"That'll be all right about your
friends job" concede Mccarthy, with
a nod toward Jack.
Il fancy you won't have anything
to do with it." returned Darrow pleas
antly
At this moment the door opened and
Hallowell entered He nodded to OAR
row. and greeted Mccarthy.
Nothing for you" growled the lat
ter.
Darrow glanced at his watch.
He will have in about five minutes"
said he to the reporter.
The fifth member of the party now
entered in the person of Simmons, the
United Wireless operator. On seeing
the number gathered in McCarthy's
Office he came to a halt
barrow Immediately detached him.
self from the group and approached
Anything news" he inquired in a
low voice
Simmons glanced toward Mccarthy.
D. ANY more messages from our mys-
terrnnS friend IN ShA atLa~
our equally mysterious friend at the
desk?"
81 don't know what you mean"
barrow surveyed him refectively
This is a pretty big story" he said
at last, and affects a lot of people. If
you really haven't leaked-well, he
with a jerk of his head toward Nc
Carthy-"must bride high, or, have a
strangie hold on you for fair
- He looked around to see the boss
eye fixed intently on him, smiled
pleasantly, and moved to one side. Sim
mons stepped forward. handed Nc
Carthy a paper and went out The
boss read the message slowly, and
turned little pale. After a moment
or so he surreptitiously drew out his
watch. Percy Darrow smiled. He
too, held his watch in his hand.
Thirty seconds more-about," he re-
marked pleasantly. The boss loked up
startled. The last thing he saw was
the family smiling, triumphant face of
the young scientist. Then absolute
blackness fell on him.
For several seconds astonishment
held the inmates of the room chained
to their places; and for that space of
time no sound broke the deathly STILL
ness. Then Percy barrow spoke, in
his natural voice.
Well jack" he remarked, cit |
worked out: to second, almost. Now
I'm certain"