The Yale expositor., 1917-10-18

MS Leader. There was sharp snap.
A board crashed in two, and with the
parted timbers the man came hurting
downward. struck the ground with a
groan, and lay there inert.
| acted on impulse. There was not
doubt in my mind that the two men
were the persons for whom Marvel
was waiting. Through the open roof
l could see the first man clinging to
the sill of window. wavering az If in
doubt as tc what course he should
pursue. fastened his decision
Reaching out for the weapon Marvel
had given me, pumped 1t dry"
against the ground in a corner OF the
shed.
The fallen man stirred, bat he did
not open his eyes. The man over
head must have seen me. With an
exclamation of manifest dismay he let
go OF the window support. He made
a smooth, splendid slide the length OF
the roof and landed with dead clump
on the ground with both feet.
The next instant he swung into view
at the open doorway of the shed. A
glance revealed the condition of his
comrade, the same glance took me in,
empty weapon extended. He backed
away with scowl, fitted across the
yard and cleared about all that was
left OF the fence, the top stringer, on
the fly.
Iheard a door in the house slam. 1t
was Marvel, coming out. It was Mar
vel, his eye fixed on the flying fugitive,
to whom l shouted, rather incoherent-
ly:
THE two men-rve got one here,
unconscious"
Then / saw, first the fugitive disap-
pear around the corner Of long line
of freight cars, then Marvel in pur-
suit, vanishing in turn. took 1t upon
myself to stand not two feet away
from my captive. leaned over and
prodded his clothing, dreaming of sure
glory should l find the $4,000 pack
age aboard of him.
1t was not, and the man reused up
under my rather clumsy handling He
rolled over and finally sat up, rubbing
his confused head with a wry grimace
OF pain.
"Sit STILL" ordered full valiantly
the empty weapon extended, and il
served as a quieting menace.
AS l glanced towards the house
saw the woman Nance come out into
the yard, leading the little child by
the hand. She wavered irresolutely
for a moment or two and looked al
about the place. Abruptly she snatch
ed up the child and ran towards the
street, leaving the house open and
unguarded. Had / been unhampereC
| would have detained her, for sh'
was in a measure one Of the cen
| trail figures in the case in hand. How
ever, reasoned that my duty was
with the man who had fallen into my
power so accommodatingly. Ny pris
oner had an evil eye, and in a clea
test of physical strength he was ia
my superior. His fall had clearl,
crippled his normal activity, and tn,
leveled weapon did the rest.
II was nearly half an hour before
| Marvel reappeared. One hand was il
a side coat pocket. In front Of him
two PAGES ahead, was the man WIKI
had slid the roof. AS soon as my CAP
tive could get onto his feet and stead.
| himself there was a group of four
Marvel made his prisoner pilot tn
way. A street corner was reached,
police officer summoned and we wer
soon at Central station.
Marvel showed no self-glorification
but was very particular as to the dis
position of the prisoners. After the,
had been searched and were'remove,
TO separate cells below stairs, almos
| Immediately the turnkey came to tn
door of the stairway and beckoned t.
my friend, who joined him after ;
word to me to await his return.
At the end of an hour Marvel re
turned. The cloud of thought was no
yet dispelled from his face. He hat
a card in his hand, and he came Owe
and sat down beside me with the ali
OF a person a good deal tired ant
somewhat disturbed.
1T results in this" he said, and re
versed the card so l could view wha
he had penciled upon it:
e N-1679I."
I looked over the initials and mum
Der vaguely. What does it mean?'
asked.
you tell me-" replied Marvel, ant
then his chin sank into his hanC
in his old thoughtful way, and l die
not disturb him, for knew he wal
wrestling with some intricate prob
! lem.
The two fellows we have Gagged,
he volunteered finally, ARE kings II
their crooked profession. The one
chased down had carried the booty.
when he reached that woman'i
house?'
Yes. We found the notation striI
of the stolen package in his pocket
He led me a stern chase-over tracks
under cars, through them, over theii
tops, and finally threw up his hands
when he knew would shoot. When
ran him down he had planted the
package, for it was not upon him.