The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-11-05

| At that instant a whistle shrilled
from the interior. Kemp inserted
key In the door, turned the lock and
dashed in, followed by his own meg
and the sentry.
| The lights were full on in the inner
rooms, and a lively struggle was In
progress. Indeed, no more realistic
scene had ever been provided by any
criminal drama In the history of New
York.
Hong Kong Harry and his associates
had lowered themselves by a rope from
the upper story and opened the win
dows of Captain Randolph's Office by
means well known to the fraternity of
burglars. Once inside, they set about
their operations with a speed and thor
oughness which argued careful prepa-
ration. Hong Kong Harry and China
man, who was afterward recognized
as an expert locksmith, tackled the
safe, while a man who had served an
apprenticeship In an architects office
and was consequently well acquainted
with the nature of plans and specifica-
tons, began systematic search of
desks and drawers. He was actually
approaching a closet in Captain Ran
dolph's private room when the door
was thrown open and Manning, Bron-
son and Randolph faced him with lev
eled revolvers.
| Manning held police whistle be-
tween his lips and blew the shrill sig
nal which summoned Kemp and his as
sistants. But Ali Singh's desperadoes
were never Of the cringing criminal
type which yields like a whipped dog
when cornered by the law. They all
produced automatic pistols and opened
fire.
Fortunately, they shot wildly, but
neither Randolph nor Manning missed
and two thugs rolled over, either dead
or dying. Hong Kong Harry now gave
a fine exhibition of that monkey-like
athleticism for which he was noted
The man seemed to be able to use his
feet almost as well as his hands. With
a kick he slammed the door Of the
inner office and simultaneously extin-
guished the light Instantly Manning
and Bronson had forced the door again
and dashed into the room, only 10 find
1t empty, though figure was seen
poised for second on the sill of an
open window ere it swung out and
downward on a dangling rope
Manning fired and with good effect,
because the man let 60 his hold and
was crushed into an unrecognizable
mass on the pavement far beneath. It
was only natural to believe that Hong
Kong Harry had at last paid the Just
penalty of his many misdeeds, and the
victors in this brief but lively skirmish
heartily congratulated each other over
an unquestionable success.
II suppose we haven't by any chance
got hold of Ali Singh himselfT' In
CURED Randolph, turning over with
his foot one Of the dead orientals.
No. said Manning, "he seldom ap-
pears in person. But we have struck
a shrewd blow in robbing him of his
most trusted lieutenant, half caste
named Hong Kong Harry"
"Was that the fellow you shot at
through the Window" inquired Ran
dolph.
1T must have been he. He was the
only one we saw in this room"
1T was difficult to discern things
through gimlet hole" said Randolph.
"but I've a sort Of notion that there
were at least four men engaged on this
job
whoever It was" broke in Bron-
son, che is securely anchored In the
street. I'll just 60 down and look him
over"
He fastened out, and Manning clap
ped a hand on Police Captain Kemp's
broad shoulder.
mot so bad this time, old sportv'
he said gleefully. IF we hadn't been
prepared at every point Ali Singh
might really have got away with the
drawings tonight. If he had succeed
ed, I'm afraid should have resigned
my position"
mo nee6 for that, at any rate
Laughed Randolph. IF he had blown
up the whole Chemical building while
was absent he couldn't have found
the specifications Of my gun after a
ten years search in the ruins. Be
cause, why? The only perfect draw
ings were in my pocket all the time.
They never leave my possession
w ILL an diAhoSt wy 1911 lIiuAdPu W uxcu
neither Manning nor Kemp begrudged
him, he drew sealed packet from the
breast of his tunic and waved 1t in
their faces.
So far so good. The nights achieve
ments were somewhat discounted.
however, when Bronson returned
breathless with the information that
the man who had fallen headlong into
the street was not Hong Kong Harry.
The half castles escape was never
satisfactorily explained. The only
plausible theory was that evolved by
Manning after a prolonged examina-
ton of the building. 1t was shown
that the ropes used by the miscreants
dangled to depth Of at least half
dozen stories. If the two men used
the same rope. with Hong Kong Harry
leading the descent, it was possible
that the falling body of his companion
had missed him, and in the darkness
and confusion he was not detected
when Manning and the others looked
out Evidently. too, he had entered
some other office by Z window and
contrived ultimately to slip out Of the
building by way of the basement.
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