Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-06

| limousine of the banker. stili standing
waiting about halfway down the block,
win you give instructions. or shall 1?''
asked Crowder, In a low tone.
II will do So" replied the banker,
quickly. Home, AdoIph"' he ordered
and the three entered the car. The light
coat thrown carelessiy about the shoul-
ders concealed the handouts upon Helder-
man. and the three men would have
given the casual passer-by the impression
Of being good friends, off for a jaunt
only, they were very silent for such -.
party. and all were keenly alert, two with
n common object, the man In the middle
and he with a darting gaze for every
thing great and small within his range
of vision.
You are making mistake" said Hell
derman, as the car rolled smoothly away
from the curb: "a bad mistake!'
we are willing to take chances on
that" answered Crowder But / fancy
we have a pretty fair case"
Upon what counts?"
Well the Peninsula Bank fraud for
one. Mr.. Rutherford here has worked
that UP, and must say that he has
done a pretty good job for an amateur"
"A pretty poor job" retorted Helder-
man, with a scornfui laugh. why, he
cannot even prove that I was out of the
cityl"
"He thinks he can. And there's wom-
an thinks so, too"
The banker gave start and looked
around at the silent Rutherford 1t was
that young mans time to smile.
What else, Crowder?" asked Helder-
man. willing TO change the subject for
the moment.
"oh. there are several other counts. Mr..
Helderman, without taking into consider
alton the attempted abduction tonight.
There was the Braine episode"
.t..
I'm not sure about that. The evidence
is all tabulated now, and you'll have a
mighty hard time to squirm out of it,"
"Humph"' grunted HeldermRn
In spite of his detestation of the man,
Rutherford watched his amazing self
with secret admiration. Hell
derman was playing his cards to the end
and even the detective seemed to rccog
nize this fact, for he answered his ques-
tons with unusual consideration.
you still do not seem to realize what
a tight box you are ill., Mr.. Helderman,"
he said. But l may add that my own
case. the one for the Government. on
which 1 have been at work for several
is practically complete | ex-
pect to round 1t up tonight"
And what is that?" snapped the |
banker.
"The smuggling case. have traced |
your operations through several coun-
res and over the last ten years"
"Pifhing!" burst out the man in Gus
tody "Crowder, you seem to forget who |
am"
II know all about that" interrupted
"and all about you"
Nevertheless / have great wealth." re-
Joined Helderman, apparently undiscour-
aged by Crowder's knowledge of the de-
'eption he had practiced In his high
financing. ut will be worth your while
al 4 - ii
'or Nou-f you found IL convenient TO be
l bit careless. A hundred thousand for
YOU Crowder, and clearance of the
estate for you. Ruther-
'ord-'
Not another word. warned Crowder
sharply This is what comes of talking
o prisoner! Now you're trying to add
bribery to the list. eh?"
Helderman sank back into his corner
md made no further attempt to argue.
Gut his keen black eyes were never idle,
larting from side to side on the way up-
own as II seeking some way of escape.
rhe stern. set faces of the two men.
however, gave little encouragement.
1t was just half-past ten when the
limousine drew up in front of the gate
way to the mansion on the Drive. a
mall knot of Idle promenaders had halted
pon the sidewalk, and stood intently
Watching what was going on in the big
DOM with tho revealing window. It was
ust such group of lolterers as might
ave been found there almost any even
lg-interested, watching, as the ostenta.
Ious tinancier himself had planned.
Craig glanced out to see the cause of
heir interest, and gave a shout of amaze
lent. Helderman started, stretched out
is neck TO see what the other saw.
nd swore succession of good, round
ierman oaths. He sprang up; but
rowder's hand gripped his arm, and the
luz2le of the detectives revolver insisted
pom his getting out more decorously
This time the gate is unlocked, and
ne dogs are not at large!" Rutherford
bserved.
Helderman's breath came in a savage
larl.
"Shout-make but one effort to attract
ttention, and I'll wound you. l won't
Ill you: too many people want you
live" Crowder warned in low tone.
liveried servant opened the door.
Lelderman muttered the oath he dared
OF speak. The other two hurried him
,ward the MISUNDERSTANDING door of the
lg, white room. 1t opened, and the next
loment they were inside.
CONTINUED TOMORROW