Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1915-05-28
CHAPTER XIII.
A Midnioht Tour.

into the Courier office. The
others were awaiting his ar
rival, and In a few moments the little
company set forth. The policeman
guide was a sturdy freshman of pow
erful build. He carried the customary
baton carried by officers and also had
a revolver in bis belt His star
showing his official authority. was hid
den by the lapel OF his coat. but be
could display 1t In al instant by 0
slight motion of his left hand.
"We take the saloons first" said the
policeman as they walked down the
street, W by two. the officer and
Reginald leading. ut is past the clos
ing time. but we can enter readily By
a rear door"
Choosing one OF the prominent sa
looms, the police officer lead the way
to the rear door and knocked with
three double taps. In a little while thu
| door opened carefully. AS soon as the
door bad swung back far enough the
officer deftly placed his foot on the
threshold and pushed it wide open.
who are you. sir?' exclaimed the
astonished doorkeeper. For answer
the officer showed his star. and the
man received him cordially.
"Come in. sir; come In. These are
some friends of yours, | supposeT
The saloon man pointed to the minis
tiers inc the city reporter OF the Cou,
rier as he spoke.
"Yes." said the officer curtly. I'VE
want to go into the room where the
boys are"
Leading the way. the man took them
through a dark room and, throwing
open a door, ushered them into a room
with a number OF men sitting at little
tables. On every table there were
glasses and bottles.
A bartender with ford face. short,
thick neck and adorned with a white
apron hurried forward.
"Sit down. gentlemen" he said, bow.
ing to the visitors. what can we do
for you tonight?"
The policeman pulled back his coat
showing his star. and remarked lei
surely: "Oh. nothing. l am just taking
a few friends around tonight to see
our town"
The bartender looked closely at the
men and recognized the ministers and
Reginald. He started In astonishment
and gaped open mouthed at the In
truders. Meanwhile Allan Rutledge had
been scanning the faces in the room,
and with a deep sorrow he saw that
some of the young men were sons of
members Of his own church. Suddenly
his eyes fell on Roland Gregory at a
table In the corner of the room. See
Ing that the visitors did not seat them
selves. the attention of the jewellers
was soon centered on the party Of in
yestigatOrs. The ministers and Regi-
maid had removed their caps, which
had been pulled donn yer their faces.
and almost every one recognized them.
There was a tense silence. The loud
talking and laughing ceased.
II think that win be ali" said Allan
Rutledge. speaking to the officer. I'VE
have seen all we care to In this place"
He turned to 90.
Roland Gregory staggered to his feet
he was plainly somewhat under the
influence OF liquor. What do you
fools want here?' he asked in a thick
voice. adding a vile oath. The police
man was turning to leave the room.
and Gregory walked up deliberately to
Reginald Nelson, who was writing In
a notebook hastily the number OF men
present and also adding the names OF
q few whom he knew.
"What are you writing there?" said
Gregory, reaching for the city re-
porter's notebook. In a moment Regi-
maid whipped his notebook into his
pocket. warded OF the others hand
and started to follow the rest.
"You -r' said Gregory. making a