Charlevoix county herald., 1914-05-30
CHAPTER XVI.
Postmarked ) Z. Nj.

oSthdihcu % - we
Shannon passed it up to some
body" was Shaughnessy's greeting
from the inspector at headquarters
the following morning. "Branton's
secretary, Bingham, had me on the
phone half an hour ago. They've
had a letter offering to return the
five ten-thousand-dolla bills for an
even ten in smaller bills, and no
questions asked"
"Crewe. He's been quick about
it," was Shaughnessy's thought, but
he did not speak.
81 sent Holdernes down to get the
letter, and to look up the postmark,
ard letter-boX, where it was dropped,
and all that. The envelope was adj
dressed with printed letters cut
from a newspaper and pasted on.
Just sent to G. Mortimer Branton,
New York City. The downtown ad-
dress was added in the postoffice sta
ton, and the red stamp which says:
Deficiency in direction supplied by
the New York postoffice,' so there
should be no difficulty in discovering
from what box it was collected"
81 could tell you who sent the let
ter, now" Shaughnessy said boldly.
In that moment he had ma lie up his
mind to play the game for the limit.
at was Crewe."
'Holderness made that gallery
play, too. But you've got to prove
it,"
"I'd like to have your authority to
tell Crewe to come here to see you,
inspector"
"I'I give you the authority
when you show me reason for it.
We're not working off personal
grudges in the matter, Shaughnessy.
That reminds me that ! might drop
you word Of warning on that very
point"
"Me?"
eyes Somebody's knocking you.
Probably it's Crewe. You seem to
have it in for him, and so he's get
ting back at you"
What about ?"
"Cleary, at the telephone, received
a message for me little while ago.
1t was Tell the Inspector to ask
Shaughnessy what he was doing at
the fiat of Shannon's Jess last night,
and what was inside of the two brass
about it, Shaughnessy 2"
ooh, that was a frameup of mine,
Inspector" Shaughnessy laughed
aloud. "lt came mighty near work
ing. too, only | did't get there quite
soon enough. If | had, I'd have got
Crewe all right. ! dropped enough
20 lead Crewe to think that Shannon
might have passed the stuff on to his
former wife, and | told him that once
we found some swag at her place
when she lived in Houston Street:
inside of some hollow clock-welghts,r
Shaughnessy lied glibly. Then j
went to see Jess and framed 1t UP
with her. But it didn't work. got
there too late"
The Inspector did not appear 10
nav much attention.
YOU'D better call up Branton!s
office and connect with Holderness'
he said; and Shaughnessy saluteo
and went out.
But he was cold TO the finger-ups;;
although the morning was hot ana
sultry. He was cold inside, with
sudden fear Of Crewe and Crewe
methods. He had warned Crewe last
night that he would "get him., ana
the saloon-keeper was evldenliN
not letting grass grow under his feet
in an effort to "get" the operative
first
He telephoned to Holderness
heard what his side-partner had TO
offer and then brought Rat from one
of the cells and took the youth out
side on the street with him. He sig
nailed. unseen by Rat, to one OF the
new men Of the bureau, and the new
IMAM trailed after them.
"Turnin' mo loose, are you Rat
said 10 Shaughnessv. with furtlvF
ny shrewd glance from the corners
{ MS eyes. "Ym want somethln
ror II. What is it,"
az know that vor were stailing last
night when YOU led me that chase
down Second Avenue. Rat. and kent
NE from Getting 70 the place where
] was going. had to collar you
and send YOU down here end that
took time. and that was what you
were PLAYING for Well. you got IT.
Vow take vour choice between dom"
wear on the Island. and telling me
ali about t. Take it or leave IT,
Rat"
There was another furtive glance
from the corners OF those bright
ferret-cyes.
"Crewe sent me 10 watch for you
and lead YOU off. That's all ] know
dunno where he was goin' r what
his Law was"
"Who did Crewe have with him
"Jes. me-"
There were two of them, Rat
Who was the other one ?"
Search me. T. other one must a
Joined him after he sent me away,
Rat lied "Crewe amt takin' toe
many boozim friends into his think
works. You know that"
Shaughnessy nodded. "You car
beat il now. Rat" he said. Then he
stood still and watched the youth as
the latter shot around the nearest
corner, with the new man from head