The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1917-11-22

I'm through" he said. There were
two men outside in an automobile
ASK them. 1t was the watching and
waiting that played me out. 1t was
good aim, eh?" and he looked towards
the window, a CLINT of professional
pride in his eye.
Call the floor officer" directed
Marvel to the cashier Search him."
he ordered, as a man in uniform ap-
peared.
Its wasted time" declared Derby
Dan, and so it proved. Not so much
as scrap of paper was disclosed.
Dan blinked and chuckled at Marvel.
'Derelict no cargo abroad, and I'll
soon sink" he said with a slight laugh
The officer had taken from his
pocket the one article his clothes con-
tained-a watch.
III keep that to count the few
hours left me, if you don't mind" said
Dan, but Marvel was giving the time
piece q close inspection. He opened
the cases. | saw him gaze searchingly
at the inside of the back case, then at
the outstretched hand of Derby Dan,
and then into Derby Dams eyes. The
mocking smile drifted from the face
of the prisoner
Have l hit it. DAM" challenged
Marvel, with one movement ripping
the back case from the watch and
handing the denuded timepiece to its
owner.
Only you," admitted the prisoner in
a subdued tone. Not that you have
one chance in a thousand of locating
her"
Think things over, Dam said my
friend, turning to leave the room. You
shall have good nursing. To make it
still better suppose you help me out
where you CAM"
But Derby Dan shrugged his Ratchet
like shoulders and was dumb. Marvel
spoke an order to the officer respect
ing the disposition of the prisoner.
Then he went to the tellers cage,
made some memoranda of the informa-
ton received there, and walked brisk
ly towards the broad stairway leading
to the street.
Il suppose you read the oracle?" he
Intercepted, and then as | looked
dubious he produced the one-half of
the watch case. Pasted over its inner
surface was the photograph of a wo-
man. It was the portrait of such a
woman as one would expect a man of
Derby Dams character to select
coarse featured, loud eyed, tawdry as
to neck and waist adornment.
Still, a woman; and to Derby Dan
the picture seemed so dear, that |
doubted not for her sake he had risked
q shot, to enrich her he had consented
to spend the last poor fragment of his
life behind steel bars.
He is clear game" announced
Resilius Marvel, and will never
squeal. His hopes, however, must
hinge on a division of the spoil OF
course it's the woman her pals will
make for sooner or later"
so you must find her"
so l shall find her" said Marvel
swiftly. The raid must have been
timed to a secondhand an inch Derby
Dan loitered up to that cage, and
knows enough about bank routine to
look over the nOtatiOns on the pack
ages. Then the red pepper that
missed, a grab, the weighted loot, and
a close calculation that did not miss,
and | dare say landing directly in
the automobile, where his pals were
ready for the word Co
My friend had drawn the right pic
ture Of an actual happening we found
when we reached the street. The
crossing policeman told of the crash
Of glass, flying object, the whir of
the auto, and a flash to the corner
ahead with a mounted officer in pur-
suit, who lost the trail amid the con
fusion of too many vehicles, with less
than one-half a mile accomplished.
And then as two of the bank police
men appeared leading Derby Dan be-
tween them, he gave slight start of
recognition.
Know him. inquired Marvel.
Saw him before, that's all" was
the response.
"Where?"
Right at this letter box. About
twenty minutes ago. saw him lean
on it and watch the big clock up in
the Board of Trade Then he looked
up and down the street. Then he
drew an envelope from his pocket He
kept his eyes fixed on it for few
minutes, as if thinking deeply. Then
he lifted the cover of the slot, shot it
into the letter box and walked
bTiskly into the bank"
Marvel whipped about. He was scan
ming the printed schedule for collec-
ton of mail on the front of the box.
He glanced at his watch His face eX-
pressed satisfaction. | knew it be
tokened that no collection had been
made since Derby Dan had deposited a
letter in the box. Marvel took pencil
and card from his pocket and scrib-
bled q name and a telephone num-
| Der.
Phone from the bank" he directed
me. Il will have to remain here. Tell
Leslie to join me at once"
1t was not fifteen minutes before q
post office inspector arrived. He
opened the box after a few words of