The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-02-04
CHAPTER u.
The Masters Man.

The Masters Man.
Vroop faced Hargreave's butler SOM
berly. The one reason why Braine
made this man his lieutenant was be-
cause Vroon always followed the let
ter OF his instructions to the final pc
riod; he never sidestepped or added
n frills or innovations OF his own,
and because Of this very automatism
he rarely blundered into a trap. If
he failed it was for the simple fact
hat the master mind had overlooked
come essential detail. The ~organiza-
ton Of the Black Hundred was almost
totally unknown to either the public
or the police. 1t is only when you fail
shat you are found out.
The patrolman has been trussed up
like you" began Vroon. "If they find
him they will probably find you. But
before that you will grow thirsty and
hungry. Where did your master put
Niat money!"
He carried II with him."
why didn't you call for help?"
THE houses on either side are too
far away. ] might yell till doomsday
without being heard. They will have
heard the pistol shots; but Mr.. Har.
greaves was always practicing In. the
backyard"
The people In those two houses
have been called out OF town. The
servants are off for the night"
Very interesting replied Jones,
staring at the rug.
Your master Is dead"
Jones chin sank upon his breast
His heart was heavy, heavier than II
had ever been before.
Your master left a will?"
Indeed. / could not say"
1--WE can say. He has still three OF
four millions In stocks and bonds
What he took to the bottom of the sea
with him was his available cash"
II Know nothing about his finances
] was his butler and valet"
vroon nodded. Come. men; II Il
time we took ourselves, off. Put things
in order: close the safe. You poo
jackals, l always have to watch yol
for outbreaks OF vandalism. Off will
you!"
He was the last to leave. He stare,
long and s~earchingly at Jones, VIII,
felt the burning gaze but refused t
meet 1t lest the plotter see the fire il
his. The door closed. For fully al
hour Jones listened but did not stir
They were really gone. He presse,
his feet to the floor and began to hitcl
the chair toward the table. Half wa,
ecross the intervening space he crum
pied In the chair. almost completed,
exhausted. He let a quarter Of al
hour pass, then made the final attacl
upon the remaining distance. He sue
ceeded In reaching the desk, but h
could not have stirred an inch farther
The hair on his head was damp will
sweat and his hands were clammy.
When he felt strength returning b,
lifted the telephone of the hook will
bis teeth.
Central, central! Call the. polio,
to come to this number at once; Har
greave's house. R%iverdale. Tell then
70 break In"
After what seemed an age Of wait
Ing to the exhausted prisoner. with
crashing and smashing OF doors. the
police appeared In the room.
Where's your gag?" demanded tn,
trst ofacer to reach Jones' side.
There wasn't any"
Then why didn't you yell for help?'
The thieves lured our neighbors
away from town. The patrolman whs
Salks this beat Is bound and gagged
and Ii probably reposing back Of the
billboard In the next block"
Murphy. you watch this man while
Imake a call on the neighbors," sale
the officer who seemed to be In au
thority. When he returned he was
frowning seriously. WED better tele
phone to the precinct to search fol
Dennison. There's nobody at home In
either house and there's nobody back
~ the 'billboards. Unite the man.
when this was done. the officer said
Nov. tell M what's happened; and
don't forget any Of the details"
Jones told = simple and convincing
story; Il was 30 simple and convinc
ing that tho police believed Il without
question.
well, n that amt the limit! Die
peu hear any autos outsider
r don't recollsct." said Jonss