The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1915-12-13
NevermOre!

Names Max Lamar used to say,
call me a horsethief or a mem
tai error or even a dove of
peace. But, unless you want to start
trouble, don't call me a detective. I'm
not a detective. I am a crime specialist.
II YOU don't believe me, look at my
card: Max Lamnr, Crime Specialist
oldnt go to the expense of getting that
engraved just for joke.
"A stage detective goes in for dis
guises and flashlights. A real-life de-
tectiVe goes in for square toes and stool
pigeons. / don't use any of those friIls.
I'm specialist. As much of a spe-
cialist as the doctor who thumps your
chest at SIS a thump."
But Max Lamar himself was the only
person who did not call Max Lamar a
detective; yes. and one of the very cIev-
crest detectives the city had known. He
mad positive genius for the man hunt,
His was the alertly probing brain of the
scientist; coupled with the bulldog
streak of the ideal policeman.
He had served for years on the cIty's
crack central office detective squad.
Then, while he was still under thirty
ne had laid down enough money and
laid up enough reputation to leave the
force and so into business for himself.
His first move, as a free agent, had
been to drop the abhorred name of dc
tective' and to substitute the less OBJ
jectionable term of crime specIaIIst "
which now adorned his cards and tho
glass door of his airy little office.
In this office sat Lamar, one sprinR
morning. trying 70 coax a suIky cigar
into good behavior, and, between nuns
debating a letter to Edith HAYES hts
stenogra pher.
1t was lazy morning, and Iamar's
wonted steel-trap activity had taken
on a trace OF Incidence in keeping with
the weather and the uneXacting dsV
that seemed to lie ahead of him The
home team was playing at the ball
grounds today, and he planned to take
the afternoon off to witness his first
game of the season.
therefore, he went on with his die
tation. Il will take up the matter with
you tomorrow, II you can call at nv
othce at 1870 a. nj regret that n
pressing business engagement for this
afternoon will prevent"
clerk hurried in from the ante
room, laid special delivery letter on
his chiefs desk and vanished again into
his own domain. At sight of the enye-
lope's handwriting some OF the unusual
laziness left Lamar's face and manner.
At a glance down the single official
envelope, the very last trace of indo-
lence was gone.
Miss Hayes" nc said. the ball
game today will lack it's most ardent
fan. And never mind finishing that
letter I'll have to get out of here in
looking at his watch-''in just twenty
minutes. I've got to go to prison"
Mr.. LAMAR stammered the girl,
still too new in her employers service
to know when he was in earnest.
It's true" he answered. Listen to
this"
He picked up the note and read
aloud:
"Mr. Max Lamar. Crime Specialist.
My Dear Max: Circle Jim Borden
goes free again at noon today. Since
one familiar with the methods of this
master crook. Please keep an eye on
him. RANDOLPH ALLEN,
"Chief of Police"
stenographer. III you're in business for
yourself, why should the chief of po-
lice be giving you orders?"
HE isn't. He's giving mo a chance.
A chance he knows I'd be willing to pay
for with couple of my teeth, That's
my quarry I've landed him three times
for the chief. and 1t looks as / we're
going to make It a foursome. Jim can't
keep out of TAIL. Because he can't keep
out OF CTlIle. ana ne can Keep out OF 1
crime on account of the Red Circle"
"The Red Circle" she echoed "A
circle of anarchists"
mo. A circle of Jim Borden'S. A
circle on the back of his right hand ,
A circle he gets his nickname from
A red brthmark. like a hoop or ring |
I'm the flesh OF the hand. Sometimes
It hardly shows. Sometimes 1t blazes
an angry crimson. He"
"But what has blrthmark' got to |
do with his being a crlminal?" asked
the puzzled girl. 81 don't see"
Neither do I. But IT'S true. I've
heard some sort of a rlgmarole about |
this birthmark running through his /
family ever so far back and that when /
ever 1t appears it's sign OF a crimi- !
nal. All nonsense, perhaps. / don't |
know. But I do know that old Circle |
Jim BORDEN Is one OF the craftlest, /
most inVeterate criminals In this State, |
And IL he's out of prison IL means |
trouble to the whole community. The !
chief didn't overplav when he called I
Jim n master crook. Finish up those /
letters and then take the rest of the |
dav. The weather's too fine to work |
In. | won't be back. I'm going to be !
on hand when Circle Jim Is turned |
loose: and I NAV follow him afterward, /
to get a line on him and find where |
he'S going TO live. There was yarn |
a. headGuarters that the old fox has |
a hiding place somewhere In town that |
no outsider was ever able to find. II |
may be worth hunting for. lie has a
son, too, knocking around the city. |
cheap tough, of the cigarette-eating