Evening star., 1917-10-21

Two automobiles crowded with plain
clothes men stood at 9Th avenue and
S0th street. Two others. similarly
crowded stood at 5th avenue and the
same street. Four others debouched a
score of officers within few doors OF
where Herkomer's automobile had
stopped.
Kelcey. the secret service man. Lieut.
Dan McGaw and a plain-clothes man
followed Herkomer up the steps OF the
Clarkson Private Hospital. glance
down the street just before ne rang
the bell showed to Herkomer the slim
figure Of a woman eSpostulating with
one Of the officers guarding the ap-
proach. Doubtless Mrs. Willy Sinsa-
abaugh, anxious to be in at the death
For the electric light under which she
stood show ed her to be most expensive
ly appareled.
Mrs. Willy was game to the point OF
recklessneee. Herkomer smiled But
appreciaticn OF Mrs. WHY'S merits
could wait a later time. He rang the
bell.
Herkomer was inclined to believe that
n wild Roose chase had brought him
here. Under the softening light above,
the white-garbed nurse who opened the
door seemed innocent. seemed by her
very ministering presence. to make
his errand fantastically bizarre
'Dr. Clarkson in"
DIR Clarkson has retired was the
answer.
some one else. then
I'VE receive no patients save by en-
gagement," was the answer.
The nurse gently closed the door
But Herkomer's foot held it partly
open.
Il want to come in." he said.
And then the whole manner of the
demure nurse changed. Her face grew
hard. vicious. She threw her whole
weight against the door. But she was
one woman. and there were five men
. opposed to her already. with reinforce
ments lettering outside. Herkomer
But the white-garbed woman eluded
him-leaped backward. There must
have been a button in the wall. for
two iron doors shot forward to meet
Nend bar the way. Herkomer had
paused involuntarily as the woman
broke from his OBTAINING clutch. and
It was this that saved him from being
crushed between the two sheets OF
clothes man had thrust a nightstick
forwafd-he had had experience with
gambling dens as elaborately guarded
as this 'hospitar'-held the two iron
The mechanism was thus deranged.
There was no need of the hydraulic
Jacks that one Of the police automo-
bfles carried. The doors would un-
doubtedly have been a strong barrier
had they met. but. parted. they rolled
back easily. Herkomer led the way
into the hall Just in time to see the
tAs head Of the first flight of stairs.
Ne did not hesitate. but mounted the
stairA The womane fight seemed to
give certain proof that Mrs sinsabaugh
was right. bat the commissioner could
not help wondering what would lie be-
hind that turn. one flight above. Moth
ing. he thought could surprise him
and yet he was surprised.
For standing in the doorway of a
room stood lean. eaele-nosed. sunk
eh-eyed man. The revolver that he held
. In his hand was to have been expected:
it was his calm that amazed Herkomer.
Had he shouted, had he threatened.
Herkomer would have hurled himself
forward But the unhurried utterance.
the calm evenness of the mans voice,
halted Herkomer.
~Stop-please. You have found me.
There Ia no haste"
He did not menace with his weapon.
He seemed to know that threatening
gesture with it would mean an over
whelming rush that he might stop in
part. but not in its entirety. The very
fact that he held the revolver loosely
in his hand. at his side, made him seem
more dangerous.
Herkomer labored for his breath, lost
IN the dash upstairs. He held back, by
his own halt the men behind him.
You are under arrest" he said. TT
VIII go easier with you If you put up
that revolver"
''Sor' The lean man smiled cruelty
Il think not" He eyed Herkomer
closely. You may take my word for
II that the men you come in search of
are alive. They are here; there is no
need for haste. If you move toward
The revolver in his hand seemed to
spring upward of its own volition. But
u did not point at Herkomer. It pointed
into the room that the lean man
guarded. And the lean man had shifted
his position as the revolver had flashed
'4r. Burton conybear." said the lean
man. will you kindly inform these
k6enSlemen that you are aIive?'
And win you kindly point that damn
thing the other way?" sounded the
1feecible voice Of Conybear.
Herkomer sighed with relief He
.nsw Conybear's voice; he had heard
1iM vas maniac-no question of that:
Conybear's life hung on Herkomer's
sact; but Conybear had lived thus far
tnroueh kidnapping and what not be-
deal with the man before him.
Tssty. defiant, clustering, yet some
now assuring its hearer. no matter
| Wnee WUIuS IL useu, that calm courage
hacked the eound-that was Conybear's
voics. And the words he used and the
threat Of the revolver were proof com
yIets that conybear. despite appear
osed panic merely to fatten his nurse
Don't worry, Mr.. Cony bear" cried Her
nnomer; This is the commissioner of po-
II viii talk. pleare" said the man in the
doorway. You will listen
HIS lips curled back as he surveyed
Herkomer.
You have caught me-yes. But to what
purpose. while I have Mr Conybear-
His revolver accented the word so"
tSut you know we have you cornered,"
SAad Herkomef. persuasively. as thourb
humoT1ng . child
BAh! There is a corner ALWAYS ou>n
oDe corner in which your men canno,
0end. pressure of a trigger and have
Yeed through the door In that corner
gazing your Conybear with me-
Out OF the side OF his mouth KeIcey
sfSee. Barely audible the words reached
AsfkomsPs ear:
can get him through my pocket, COM
missioner. Say the word"
Herkomef. by the faintest movement of
nse nea0. negatived the suggestion. Kelcey
might miss. and Conybear then would
"Dut you don't want to die Just yet. do
your? asked Herkomer N
The lean man shrugged his shoulders
s'N0W or later. What matters II when
one has failed?" He eye Herkomer "If
one has failed. Listen" His worda
were brisk. crisp, now no longer sar
doAicA1ly weary.