Evening star., 1917-10-07

The boy obeyed with alacrity. The
shutter was lowered and grfzzle
bearded face showed for a moment
through the opening.
ed a card through into the hand of the
man beyond On this occasion 1t did not
bear the legend. John Henry smith.
but that of Chief Inspector Bristol, e.
I. D., New Scotland Yard.
Good afternoon, Mr.. knowison, salo
the detective, dryly. Il want to come
in,"
There followed moment of silence,
then key was turned in the lock and
the door thrown open.
Come right in, inspector" invited
strident voice. Garter, you can go
home"
Bristol entered warily, but as the
door was banged upon his entrance ne
faced around only in time to find him.
self looking down the barrel OF re-
volver.
with his back to the door which con-
tanned the wicket, now reclosed. stood
the man with the bearded face. Tne
revolver was held in his left hano: ms
right arm terminated in a bandageo
stump. ,.
Earl Dexter
'It is" replied the cracksman. and
you've looked in at a real inconVentent
time. Sit down in that chair yonder.
Bristol knew his man too wen 70
think of opening any argument at that
time He sat down as directed. and
ignoring the revolver which covered
him all the time began coolly to sur
vey the room in which he found ham-
self.
The only bright patch in the room
was the shining disc upon the ceinn8 /:
and the detective noted with interese
that this marked the position OF an ar
rangement of mirrors. whtte-coVer-
ed table. entirely bare. stood upon the
floor Immediately beneath this myste-
rious apparatus. Bristol turned MS eyes
again upon the daring man who nad
who had stolen the slipper OF the
prophet. and suffered the loss OF ms
hand by the scimitar of the hashishin
as result.
''I am sorry" said Dexter. with q
quick glance at his MANNED arm tnat
I can't tie you up. but l am expecting
friend any moment now.
Dexter sat down facing Bristol
at have lost my hand in this game:
Mr.. Bristol" he said genially, ana mao
some narrow saueaks of losing my
head; but having gone SO far and lost
SO much I'm going through. if don't
meet funeral! You see I'm UP against
two tough propositions.
Bristol nodded sympathetically
'The first" continued Dexter. rs you
ally. Ny idea-if can get hold OF the
slipper again-is to get the Antiquarian
Institution to ransom II. Theres
dozen rich highbrows. cranks to q man.
iIkeliest buyers But to keep the tone
of the market healthy there's Hassan
of Aleppo, rot him! He's dangerous
customer to approach, but you'll note
rye been in negotiation with him al
ready and am still, If not booming. not
much below par!
"ouite So" said Bristol. But you've
cut off a pretty hefty chew, neverthe-
less They used to call you the Som
brero Man. you used to dress ike
tells. Those days are past. Dexter, I'm
sorry to note. You're down to the
sku1k:ng game now.
yep" said Dexter, sadly; plead
guilty; but I think here's CarnetA!
Bristol heard the door Of the outer Of
fice open, and q moment later that upon
which his gaze was set opened IN turn
to admit girl who was heavily yelled.
and who started. and then stood still IN
the doorway. on perceiving the situa-
ton Never for one unguArded mo-
ment did the, American glance aside
from his prisoner.
he drawled In his strident way. You're
handy with a ball OF twine: see If you
can induce him to stay the night"
The girl, Immediately recovering her
composure. took on her hat n nusi.
nesslike way and begau to look around
her. evidently in search Of a suitable
length of rope with which to fssten up
Bristol.
Under cover Of Dexter's revolver Bris-
tol stoIcally submitted to having his
wrists tied behind him. The end OF the
line was then thrown through the ven
tilator above the door. which commu-
nicated with the outer office and Rris-
tol was triced up in such way that
his wrists. being raised behind him to
an uncomfortable degree. he was al
most forced to stand upon tip-toe. The
line was then secured.
Very workmanlike!" commented the
victim you'll md large handkef-
chief in my inside pocket. It's clean
one. and recommend h as gag!
yerv promptly II Was employed tor