Rocky Ford enterprise., 1914-05-08
CHAPTER Xxx.
The PLAQUE of Cold.

Without pause, and three steps at
a time, Darrow ran down three flights
of stairs. Then. recovering from his
initial excitement somewhat, he
caught the elevator and shot to the
street There he walked rapidly to
the subway, which he took as far as
City Hall Square. On emerging from
the subway station he started across
for the Despatch office as fast as he
could walk BY the entrance to the
City Hall. however, he came to an
abrupt halt. From the open doorway
rushed his friend, officer Burns, of
the City Hall Station.
The policemans face was chalky
white; his eyes were staring; his cap
was over one side. he staggered un-
certainly. As he caught sight OF Oar
row he stumbled to the young man
and clung to his neck. muttering in
coherently. People passing in and out
looked at him curiously and smiled.
MY God!" gasped Burns. his eyes
rowing. II says to him. Mike, don't
wonder you've got cold feet And
there he was. and the mayor--Heaven
save-and his secretary! My God!"
Here" he said decisively. what are
you talking about? Get yourself to-
getheri Remember you're an officer;
don't lose your nerve this wayi"
At the touch to his pride Burns did
pull himself together somewhat. but
went on under evident strong excite
ment.
II went in just now to the mayors
office a minute" said he, "abd saw my
friend Mike Mallory, the doorkeeper.
settin' In his chair, as usual. 1t was
cold-like, and went up to him and
says, Mike. no wonder you get cold
feet down here Just by way of joke;
and when he didn't answer. | went up
10 him. and he was dead. there in his
chairl"
well. you've seen dead men be-
fore. There's no occasion to lose
your nerve. even II you did know him."
said Darrow.
The brutality OF the speech had its
intended effect. Burns Strengthened.
That's all very WE'LL" said he more
collectively. But the man was frozei"
'Frozen!" muttered Darrow. and
whistled.
Yes, and what's more, his little dog,
setting by the chair. was froze, too:
SO when | stepped back sudden and
hit against him, he tumbled over bang.
like cast-iron dog! That got my
goatl | ran!"
Come with me-" ordered Darrow de-
cisively.
They entered the building and ran
up the single flight of stairs to the
second-story room which the mayor of
that term had fitted up as a sort of
private office of his own. A sharp
chill hung in the Railways; this in.
| creased as they neared the executives
office. Outside the door eat the door
keeper in his armchair. Beside him
was dog. in the attitude of an ami
NAL seated on Its launches, but lying
on its side, one fore leg sticking
straight out. Darrow touched the man
and stopped over to peer in his face.
The attitude was most lifelike; the
color was good. A deadly chill ran
from Darrows' finger tips up his arm.
He pushed open the door cautiously
and looked in.
"All right. Burns" said he. The
atmosphere has become gaseous again.
We can go in" With which strange
remark he entered the room, followed
closely. but uncertainty by the officer.
The private office possessed the at
mosphere of a cold-storage vault. Four
men occupied 1t. At the desk was
seated the mayor. leaning forward in
an attitude of attention. his triple
chin on one clenched fist, his heavy
face scowling in concentration. Op-
posite him lounged two men. one lean
ing against the table, the other
against the wall. One had his hand
raised in argument. and his mouth
open. The other was watching, an ex-
nrassinn of alertnaas nm his sharn