The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1914-12-04
CHAPTER II.
The Masters Man.

The Masters Man.
Vroon faced Hargreave's butler som
berly. The one reason why Braine
made this man his lieutenant was be
cause Vroon always followed the let
ter of his instructions to the final pc
any frills or innovations of his own,
and because of this very automatism
he rarely Numbered into a trap. Ii
he failed 1t was for the simple fact
that the master mind had overlooked
some essential detail. The organiza-
ton of the Black Hundred was almost
totally unknown to either the public
or the police. It is only when you fail
that you are found out.
THE patrolman has been trussed up
like you" began Vroon. IF they find
him they will probably find you. But
before that you will grow thirsty and
hungry. Where did your master put
that money!"
"He carried it with him."
Why didn't you call for help?"
The houses on either side are too
far away. l might yell till doomsday
without being heard. They will have
heard the pistol shots; but Mr.. Har-
greaves was always practicing in the
backyard"
THE people In those two houses
have been called out Of town. The
servants are of for the night"
VERY interesting" replied Jones,
staring at the rug.
your master Is dead"
Jones chin sank upon his breast.
His heart was heavy, heavier than 1t
had ever been before.
Your master left a will?"
Indeed could not say"
I'VE can say. He has still three or
four millions In stocks and bonds.
What he took to the bottom of the sea
with him was his available cash."
Il know nothing about his finances.
was his butler and valet"
Vroon nodded Come, men; it is
time we took ourselves off. Put things ,
in order; close the safe. You poor
tackals, / always have to watch you
for outbreaks of vandalism. Off with !
you'll"
He was the last to leave. He stared |
long and searchingly at Jones, who |
felt the burning gaze but refused to
meet 1t lest the plotter see the fire in
his. The door closed. For fully an
hour Jones listened but did not stir.
They were really gone. He pressed
10 To- 20 I'D Is y; toI,
the chair toward the table. Half way
across the intervening space he crum-
pied in the chair, almost completely
exhausted. He let a quarter of an
hour pass, then made the final attack
upon the remaining distance. He sue
:eeded in reaching the desk. but he
could not have stirred an inch farther.
The hair on his head was damp with
'weat and his hands were clammy.
When he felt strength returning he
lifted the telephone of the hook with
lis teeth.
Central, central! Call the police
o come to this number at once; Har-
reave's house, Riverdale. Tell them
o break in."
After what seemed an age Of wait
ng to the exhausted prisoner. with
and smashing of doors, the
olice appeared in the room.
Where's your gag?" demanded the
rst officer to reach Jones side.
There wasn't any" v
Then why didn't you yell for help%
The thieves lured our neighbors I,
way from town. The patrolman who
alks this beat IL bound and gagged y
nd Is probably reposing back of the v
llboard In the next block"
Murphy, you watch this man while IL
mako a call on the neighbors," said d
10 oficer who seemed to be in au- m
ority. When he returned he was g,
owning seriously. WED better tele-
lone to the precinct to search for e;
ennison. There's nobody at home in CT
Their house and there's nobody back
the billboards. Unite the man" al
hen this was done, the oficer said:
low, tell VI what's happened; and th
MT forget any OF the details" hs
Jones told q simple and convincing ex
Dry; it was 70 simple and convinc- tb
3 that the police believed it without
estion. he
Well, If that amt the limit! Did
u hear any autos outside" yo
7 don't recollect," said Jones, al,