The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1914-05-14

| He reviewed the facts of the
case methodically. with his eyes
directed toward the sharp clear
stars of this October night. The
man had thousands In the banks
unlimited credit, was without kith
or kin; was rarely seen in the
restaurants over on Broadway
and never with a woman.
His cook and valet had beer
with him for ten years and had
accompanied him on his travels
He lived comfortably, not luxuri.
ously. He was a fine chess play.
er and was lucky at bridge and
poker, but never gambled In
stocks or public places. He was
thirty-nine years old. in good
health.
What would draw a man toward
playing at safe-breaking II not Q
latent criminal instinct? On the
other hand, this pastime was
known to several of his banker
friends, who sometimes made
wagers with him.
Well, we'll; his right or left
thumb would presently settle the
whole matter, one way or the
other.
A taxicab came chugging into
the street, stopped for a moment
before the brick house, and wen
on. Haggerty jotted down the
license number as he trotted
across. He reached the top steI
Just as the man with the bundle
under his arm opened the door
Wait a moment" said Hag.
gerty.
Are you Mr.. Crawford? ".-fol
1t was too dark for Haggerty to
distinguish the mans features.
mo, sir. Mr.. Crawford is out
for the evening""
when will he be back?"
81 can't say, sir. Possibly al
midnight; probably later"
Does he go aboard the Celtic
tonight or tomorrow at dawn"
The man with the bundle under
his arm withdrew the night-key
and calmly thrust the key-rina
into his pocket. He shifted the
bundle slightly.
rs your business important?
The voice was we'll modulated, but
1t possessed crispness which
spoke of Impotence.
Rather important"
Sorry you will not be able tc
see him tonight, SIR"
| I'm In no hurry. I'll wait TIL
he comes. l take 1t you're his
valet"
Yes, sir; Mr.. Mason. But
doubt l can let you in under the
circumstances. If you will desig
nate a place ! will telephone you
/, the moment he arrives"
That's reasonable enough; but
I'm going inside to wait"
why, sir y"
"I'm a detective, Mr.. Mason
an your master an | have a lit.
tie matter to discuss"
"Impossible!"
can he wouldn't be pleased al
all If he knew I'd been here an
had t. 60 away"
"Oh! He expects your"
Yes" Which was truthful
enough, since all criminals expect
the law sooner or later.
Your credentials"
This" Haggerty exhibited hi!
badge.
That's not sufficient, sir"
"All right" replied Haggerty
grimly. Supposed we both go
over to tn precinct an have 'em
identify me there? They know
me-"
II suppose I'll have to let you
in, sir; but it's all very queer ant
unusual. Follow me-"
The valet turned on the single
light in the hall. He Immediately
began to mount the stairs to the
first floor, Haggerty at his heels
The valet stumbled, and the bun
die slipped from his arm. The
wrapping paper broke and dis.
closed half a dozen pairs of old
shoes. Haggerty picked up two
pairs and the valet gathered VI
the others. He gravely led the
detective into a large room.
Haggerty grasped his revolver
then let go Of it, grunting inau-
dibly. What he saw in the dim
freight were not living people,
only the shells; rows of mummies
and mummy-cases called carton
nages.
Better not turn on the lights"
said Haggerty. 9TH fires enough
These things give a fellow tn
chills."
The valet deposited the shoes
along the wall and Haggerty
placed his beside them. Next, the
valet crossed to the wood-box and
threw on a log. A blaze started
up.
"Sit down, sir. This is Mr.
Crawford's study" Haggerty wal
4