The Elk Mountain pilot., 1917-10-18

he had begun to think that there might
be something in it after all.
There certainly was something in
it. At half past twelve Reddy, the
lookout, saw Romanoff stand inside
the bathroom and signed to him that he
found the coast clear. The maid had
left the window open, MS had been ar
ranged. Romanoff entered the pas
sage and crept cautiously toward Lee
ontine's boudoir.
The door of Leontine's room was
slightly ajar. Romanoff halted, and,
listening, heard her even breathing as
she slept. He crept back into the
bathroom and looked down. Reddy
was still standing at the foot of the
fire escape, up which he had come.
Coward as he was, Romanoff knew
that unless he brought back the neck
lace his occupation would be gone, so
far as Blanca was concerned. He
went back softly, and, taking skele-
ton key from his pocket, unlocked the
door ut the end of the passage lead
ing into the other rooms of the apart
ment. With an escape thus assured.
he entered the boudoir, took his sta
tion before the safe, and began to ma
nipulate the handle in accordance with
the formula penciled upon his shirt
cuff.
1t was at this juncture that Casey,
Cohen and Logan, leaving their auto
mobile round the corner in charge of
The fourth policeman. came quietly
upon the scene by diverse routes. A
glance showed Casey the familiar form
of Reddy, standing ut the foot of the
fire escape and looking pensively up
ward.
Instinct brought Reddy's attention
to Casey's presence. He did not stop
to pass the time of night, but bolted-
into the expansive arms of Cohen, at
the other corner of the block.
Cohen welcomed him with his night
stick, and promptly led his subdued
tOmobile.
Ror'anoff had got the safe open. In
side he saw the jewel case with the
necklace. He stretched his hand out
longingly. AS he did SO the two po-
liccmen entered the hall.
Romanoff dropped the case and
scrambled for the door which he had
unlocked SO providentially. He
smashed it open-to encounter Sebas-
tian, who, hearing the noise in the
bathroom, had slipped on his dress
ing gown and had come to investigate.
Romanoff lodged like an eel, for
Casey and Logan We're hard ut his
heels. The two policemen tripped
over his outstretched foot and tumbled
upon Sebastian. Romanoff darted into
Leontine's bedroom.
The girl. awakened by the sounds,
sat up in alarm. She caught hnsty
glimpse of the crooks face. That was
all. Romanoff dashed for the window,
smashed 1t with one blow of his ell
bow, and clambered upon the sill, just
as Logan and Casey fired simultane-
ously from the doorway.
One bullet went wild, the second
struck RomanoT a glancing wound
across the upper part of the thigh.
With yell he leaped into the dark
ness.
Romanoff went through the yard,
scrambled upon projecting roof, ran
up the roof like monkey, slid down
n fire escape, and reached an empty
street. AS he did so he heard Casey
shouting from the yard.
The trail of blood he left behind him
would betray him in Il few moments.
Romanoff bound up his wound with
his handkerchief, let down his trouser
leg and then made his way, moaning,
toward the street cars.
Half an hour later, weak and fren-
zied with pain, he staggered into BIZ
nnca's house.
Hes the only man who knew of
our plan to get the necklace. He gave
it away"
"Nonsensev said Blanca angrily.
The miscarriage of this second scheme
against Navarro had. in fact, exasper-
ated her. 1T was your own stupidity
and Reddy's."
"That fellow Ravengar is at the bot
tom of it, anyway" he snarled. Ever
since we had him in the cellar things
have been going wrong. He heard US,
anyhow, Blanca"
IF you don't mind your manners
you'll leave this house instantly -
snapped Blanca.
"Well-madame," muttered Roma
noff, abashed. "IIe heard us laying
our plans, and even if he didn't give
the tip to the police he ought to be
killed"
Blanca mused for while. Then she
| touched her bell, and Wong Lee came
slIuffling in.
"Where Is Mr.. Ravengar?' inquired
Blanca.
In cellar. missis. All tight. Nc
| can get out again."
I'll take Il look at him. said Blanca
thoughtfully. do you think you are
able to accompany me, Mr.. Roma.
| noffp"