Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1916-03-23
ELEVENTH EPISODE
''he Buckef Shops
Suggested by c. N. and A. N. WILLIAM.
SON. Authors Of 1.-The Lightning
Conductor The Love Pirate"
1.-THE Princess Passes

DT was nearing / o'clock and the
editorial rooms Of the Independ-
ent had taken on their customary
daily hustle and activity. Edi-
tors, reporters and Office boys elbowed
and jostled each other in their hurry
to get things under way" Jack Stew
ems, the city editor, had already made
up his assignment sheet and was en-.
gagged in conversation with his friend
Bruce Larnigan, who had dropped in.
"Of all the forms of graft" said Lar
nigan, "the one most detest is the
gambling halls for women, which are
better known as bucket shops.'"
"The city is honeycombed with
them," continued Larnigan, land am
convinced from the uniform manner in
which they are all conducted that they
are operated by syndicate with one
common head.
'Well, as to the last part of your
statement agree with you" added
Stevens, "but it strikes me 1t will prove
more than an ordinary reporters job
to get anything on these vultures.
Now, If we could only get hold of
some one who has been the victim of
their greed we might have some line
to start on
well need no victim. l have the
very person who can give us the infor-
nation we want broke in Larnigan.
Its Kitty Richford, and if you'll let
me use that phone for about five min
utes I'll get enough to start things
a-humming."
Larnigan was soon talking to Miss
Richford, who on several occasions
had done some very clever amateur de-
tective work and whose father had
been member of the graft trust.
After less than five minutes CONVEX
sation Larnigan hung up the receiver
and turned to Stevens with a CHEEKY
smile as he said:
well, I've got the dope all right
4sThe dickens you say!" said Stevens
in delightful establishment.
Eyes, and got it right" continued
Larnigan. 1.-THE head of this graft is
a man by the name of Rupert Kruger
Hall, prominent banker and broker"
Stevens whistled his surprise, for the
man was well known to him.
This man Hail." continued Larni-
gan, "is supposed to be very wealthy
and highly respectable. This much is
in our favor. as he will never suspect
that there is any suspicion directed to-
ward him. We must keep shadow
on him day and night and discover
~
them down.
With few more words as to using
extraordinary caution Larnigan babe
farewell to Stevens and hurried from
the office.
Reaching the street, Larnigan hailed
the first taxi and was soon being driv-
en- at good speed to the street" as the
financial district is known.
His knowledge of financial specula-
ton and the district told him that Hall
had never been seen about any of the
places he had in mind and that accord
ingly the man must transact his bust
ness in secret from his residence.
Two hours later Bruce Larnigan
found himself in possession of group
theory, and he had learned also that
Hall, who occupied pretentious resi-
dence on Riverside drive, was leaving
the city late that night after fash
ionable theater party which he and his
young wife were giving.
When Bruce left the financial district
his plans for the evening were definite
~ made. He would visit the Hall resi-.
dence in the absence of the owner and
if necessary obtain burglarious en-.
trance in search of the evidence.
Had Larnigan been able to witness
a scene even then transpiring in the
handsomely appointed library of the
house of Rupert Hall perhaps he might
have changed his plans for the even
ing. Hall was pacing modify up and
down the floor. In his hand he held an
anonymous note. 1t read:
Watch your wife and Justin Thompson,
the district attorney. They are in love
with each other and think that you are
blind. A FRIEND.
Hall ceased his restless pacing with
a muttered curse and slipped the crum-
pied note into his pocket. There was
a light step outside the door and a
young and beautiful woman in a raw
1shing evening costume entered the
room. It was his wife.
She watched him with little frown.