The Dermott news., 1916-12-14

portion of the gang, and drew them to trap-door opening onto flat roof, means of escape which he had often used in his unregenerate days.
 It was not to be denied that some thing of the fearful joy which attaches itself to a daring crime pulsed once more in Reilly'S veins as he fled with the hounds of the law yelping on his heels. He followed Il familiar path. At the end of a sloping roof he knew he would find raised balustrade which would check an otherwise inevi- table descent into the street beneath. From the flat top of the cornice it was possible to spring across an alley to the roof of the nearest house, and thence climb, catlike, among a forest of chimneyS to well-remembered fire escape.
 Reilly was slightly out of condition, but his nerve was steady as ever, and he took that spectacular leap through midair with all his old confidence. He hung back purposely until the 1 hand of the nearest policeman was actually outstretched to clutch him.
 He counted altogether on the fact that the men would halk at that unnerving l jump because, such is the force of i'm ug'nation. the average individual will 1 falter at Il spring high up above the 1 ground which would not demand any i display of courage or resolution if talk en on terra firma.
 In one respect, however, Reillys cal | culationS erred. He had not realized l how thoroughly the patrolmau called on by the valet had organized his l forces to surround the building Not only were policemen in overwhelming numbers stationed at every exit from the IIell-catS' headquarters. but ve- dettes occupied strategic points oa ev. cry possible line of retreat. So Reil- ley's daring leap was noted. and the pursuit Was developed by others who had not been called on to negotiate that ugly-looking chaSm. The fugitive eentrived to get down his fayorite tire-eScape only to find the pack in full cry behind him. He ran, the. policemen ran. gathering mob trailed in behind. and SD q veritabe mob swarmed around the Settlement when Reilly dashed through its hos pitable portal
 It was now hopelesSly out of the question that he should stop and ex- plain. He must carry through the pre- tense to the bitter end, because hun dred pairs of eyes would eagerly de vour every phase of the capture when he was grabbed by the police and hundred tongues retail the astounding fact that this master criminal had gone of on the best of terms with the cops"
 Of course he wns able to gain slight respite hy reason of his knowl- edge of the familiar hut intricate turns in the Settlement building Thus, he dashed into the office used by Miss Grace Gae few seconds ln advance of the hue and cry.
 The girl looked up with an air of surprise. since her trusted assistant i wus not in the habit of entering so uneeremoniouSly.
 Don't ask me to explain now, miss" he pauted brOkenIy. I'll make every thing clear in minute or two. Hide me from the police Tell them I'm not here. It's all right, miss; 1t is, really,"
 He could say no more. The girl had to decide in an instant. but she placed implicit trust in the man, and hade hin, aptar o ,l,Sat i,, ,,-Nf oh Sba ,,ci,al- ly kept macintosh and some spare clothing in ease of bad weather.
 \ policeman dashed in and asked her if she had seen d man whom he described hurriedly, and who obvious ly could be none other than Reilly.
 No" she said. on the spur of the moment. "He is not here"
 The policeman. however. was logged person, and not to be put off his purpose by any woman's wiles.
 'f'm afraid I'll have to search miss" he said firmly, and, after quick glance around the room. tore open the closet door.
 Rctlly's subterfuge was now at an end. He must either fight or yield He might have endeavored to trip the policeman, and seek new refuge when any chance of success in this re- spect was completely spoiled by the appearance of other officers.
 Grace, however. intervened. She placed her hand on the poiIcemans arm and said earnestly:
 'T am sure this man has done noth- ing wrong He is one of my most loyal helpers"
 Cant help that, miss" said the po- liceman grufily. "We caught him on the job.. If he's honest why did he run?'
 The argument was unanswerable. Reilly was handcuffed forthwith, and would have been led away In durance vile had not Burton come in with the valet Of course, John recognized im- mediately the man whose valiant in-