Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-03
,copyrisht. 1ei4 Mcsrlde Mast 4 Coz
XVI.
rHE sTRAwRERRY vBNDER.


u was not often that itinerant frui
merchants hawked their wares In tina
neighborhood; but this man seemed NOR
than usually enterprislng, and had gottei
hold OF an early supply Of fruit, which
he was dsposng Of direct, at goo'
price.
'straw--ber--rces
The voice became almost a wall, as
The man turned n corner. and tried hi'
wares on the adjoining block. He mus
have had a good supply OF fruit, for he
fingered In one reighborhocd for nearly
half day. It was the block whose chief
ornament was the big Helderman icnn-
sion on the corner
The strawberry vender was a ragged
looklns Individual, with a mop OF tangled
curly hair, which proclaimed him
former citizen OF Italy His complexion
wes swarthy. and two large. brassy look
irg rings ornamented his ears.
As he continued TO hawk his wares, n
young woman handsomely dressed passed
by him, Ignoring the tempting fruit. She
was walking somewhat hurriedly, and had
presumably come from the subway, after
forenoons shopping downtown. The
merchant, seeing that his berries were
dlsdalned, followed the lady quietly and
uiicbtrusively until she had entered the
apartment standing opposite the mansion.
ON the side street. Then he slipped N
behind her, before she cqgld close the
door.
So quietly had he come, that she gave
n little scream as she turned and saw
him. The door leading to a private ele-
Nator was half open, end she evidently
ran II by automatic push-buttons, for
no attendant was in sight
What do you want?" she asked, an
noyed. ~ told you that l dIdlt wish
any OF the fruit! How dare you follow
me inl"
But eet ees such fine fruit, ladee-and
10 cheapl"
Don't bother me!" she snapped, and
was just about to enter tho elevator.
when the man uttered single word in a
low voice:
''Heldermanl'
Miss Arany--for 1t was she-turned with
. start
''what do you want? Who are your"
she exclaimed.
II will tell you, in a moment. | wish
to see you; it concerns Mr.. Helderman,
and 1t Is important"
The man had dropped his Italian ac-
cent, and stood quietly while Miss Arany
sought to penetrate his disguise.
How do know your business is worth
listening tor" she asked doubtfully. "You
see. am here alone in the apartment"
w. we can 10 lIlOuSn
the secret passage, and you will have all
your. servants-and the dogs-at your
command. You see-I know"
Miss Arany frowned at his alluson to
the secret passage, and again looked at
him sharply. Then deciding that, since
the man already knew OF the hidden en-
trance. 1t would do no harm to grant him
an interview and might possibly be to
her advantage, she entered the car with
out another word and the man. unbidden,
followed, He smiled at her with assur-
ance as he entered.
1t was a small square car luxurously
upholstered Heavy beveled glass on
three OF its sides gave its occupants
abundant opportunity for self-examina-
ton Certainly the mirrors had never
reflected a pair affording such striking
contrast as this exquisite woman of fash
ION and the tall, unkempt merchant with
dirty face. Nevertheless, the
woman showed no symptoms OF fear, but
calmly pressed a button sunk in the PAN
cling
The elevator in violation of its name
descended.
n was the same one whose mysterious
had so puzzled Michael
Cooley and its mechanics were very sim
pie. AS II descended, a second chamber
'r story built just above 1t came down
ind occupied its place. 1t was this little
NnllC ClOSSl iiltO WUEGh mike nau STUCK |
Ills bewildered head.
Meanwhile the car below gave access |
o an underground passage which led TO |
he bankers luxurious home across the !
Itreet
The ragged street merchant had never |
travelled this route before, and although |
ie betrayed no outward surprise he met |
iphorically took off his hat to the genius |
u the man who had worked ii out He |
'ould see how, under the disguise OF es-
ablishing a plumbing and heating sys- |
em, the banker had been able to connect |
lis mansion and his apartment house |
without exciting suspicion, and had thus /
TO secure means of exit and !
10 his home withnus fear Of de- /
ection. For 1t was now evident that .he ,
mansion and the apartment house had /
'een designed and built by the same |
land.
Irene Arany unlocked second door,
md the man following her felt the rich |
lap OF heavy carpet under his feet. He |
vas in a dark back hall or lobby of the |
Marble house. Then they ascended some
'ack stairs. apparently unobserved, and |
he man was ushered into small den or
Ilcove jutting off the hall.
For the first time since they had start
d from the apartment Miss Arany spoke.
you have a terribly dirty face, Mr.. |
,raig RutheTfordw she observed
hant replied with a laugh.
Irene Arany, however, did not laugh.
why did you watch me today-and |
ow did you know about the underground |
assage?" she demanded
Which question frst?'
''The last one"
ITO tell you the sober truth, ! didn't |
now about IL; l just deduced IT,"
"Humph Adding amateur detective TO |
our other accomplishments, eh? This |
Ime. however, I am afraid you have |
ess. Do you realize that you have |
laced yourself wholly within my power /
land that l am not taking many chances |
hess days?''
Exactly sor' replied Craig. unmoved. |
State your business, them! cried Miss |
Arany. irritated by his sang-froid. but |
warn you beforehand that when you |
fet through. l shall have something to |
ay-and perhaps also the man who owns |
his house,
spare your threats. Miss Arany." said |
,raig, II have come up here 10 have a |
Iuiet little chat with you'll remember |
l0l other interviews with so much pleas |
I merely chose this disguise TO |
lynid having to explain TO the detec- |
ives the real ones, mean"
Are they as thick as all that?" she /
Eked. seizing upon his last words In the |
lope OF obtaining some information.
Miss Arany. please do not think that |
am borrowing your methods and try
na 10 friahten you; but 1 believe YOU