Omaha daily bee., 1916-11-27
cCo)

are the victims of plot, and have just
been arrested by three thieves dis
gulsed as policemen. They appealed
to the landlord and several other men,
but the power of the law is so much
respected that naturally the pretended
policemen were believed against them.
| was sent off to Mr.. Maritz, whom l
want to see as quickly as can, and if
you and your comrades can get to the
scene before the thieves have hustled
their victims away"
The inspector waited to near no
more. All his professional pride was
on fire. go on, Mr.. Race" he broke
in; well overlook your furious driy-
ing this time. And have no fear for
your friends. It's strange story you
tell, but know you, and believe it.
We've got bicycles. and as the house
is only mile away we'll be there be-
fore you can say Jack Robinson"
Take care you don't go beyond the
legal limit" laughed Christopher ex-
citedly, and sped off at a speed to risk
being held up by another police
trap.
First time in my life was glad
to get caught in one of those" he said
to himself, land I'd be willing to bet
it will be the last"
At least it was the last for that
day; for he was not again stopped on
his way into town, though had he been
he must have confessed that he de-
served it. Never had he driven so
fast through traffic, except on the day
when he followed the automobile with
the Nuremberg watch; and at the last
moment as he drove through bronze
gates into the millionaire's famous
courtyard, he just escaped being
crashed into by passing motor ON
nibus.
Never had Christopher been inside
these magnificent gates before, but so
often had he seen the courtyard pic
tured in illustrated papers, when the
house was new and the wonder of
London, that marble walls and pillars,
Venetian windows and great bronze
statues, appeared familiar to him.
The gates had been opened, per-
haps, for an electric brougham which
stood before the door to pass out, and
the servants in livery glared daggers
at the reckless chauffeur who dashed
in, risking a collision. But Christo-
pher stopped Scarlet Runner at safe
distance and called out that he wished
to see Mr.. MaritZ on urgent business.
At the sound of that name a gentle
man looked from the window of the
brougham, and his face had been
made familiar by the same methods
which immortalized his mansion.
81 come from Mr. Van Cortlandt,"
added Christopher, this time address
ing himself directly to the millionaire
He expected to see look of enlighten-
ment dawn on the clever. somewhat
hard, features. But, to his surprise,
for an instant Peter Maritz appeared
puzzled. "Mr. Van Cortlandt?" he re-
peated questioningly. Then, with a
slight exclamation and a change of
expression, he opened the door of the
brougham before his alert servants
had time to touch it.
You have a message for me from
NJ. Van Cortlandt?" he asked
Not exactly message" answered
Christopher. But | have news of
Importance.
Come indoors with me and tell it,
then" said Peter Maritz, who had the
manners Of gentleman as well as the
wealth of a millionaire.
Christopher looked doubtful. I'm
not sure about leaving the car" he
replied in a lower voice. Il may be
carrying something of-er-consider
able value"
Maritz asked no further questions