Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-20
=OppOrtunitD-
By EDGAR FRANKLIN
Copyright The Frank Munsey Co, West Fortieth Street
New York City
By EDGAR FRANKLIN
CHAPTER V-(Continued).


CHAPTER V-(Continued).
you see?" Johnson Boiler sai'
with acid triumph. 81 was right, eh?'
"What?"
'sTbe cops have tracked that little
devil down for his last job, w,hateye
that may have been, and they've
found him here! Now you've got
nice scandal on your hands, haven
YOU? A tenth-rate kid crook fount
hiding in the fat of Mr.. Anthony Fry
with the full knowledge and consen
Of"
upon my word, Johnson, thinl
you've lost your senses tonight" An
thony snapped. Whatever is wrong
Wilkins?'
The silk-pajamaed one indicated
their visitors with a hand that was
none too steady.
Its Mr.. Dodbury. the night manag
er, sir, and this policeman that says
''I'm afraid you have a burglar in
here, Mr.. Fry" the manager put il
agitatedly. II can't understand how
it occurred; nothing of the kind has
ever happened to US before, and the
mouth of that alley is constantly un
der the eye of the iremen on that
side of the boilerroom. Moreover
there is high gate from the street
and cannot believe that any one
The hurley officer halted him.
tWel, however he got there, he was
on the fire escape and coming down
when I see him from the street." he
said energeticalty. when he seen me
he turned into this north window and
closed it after him, and my partnerd
have given me the whistle If he'd
come out again. Which room will it
be, now
Wmkim glanced Significantly at his
master.
III It's the north room on the fire.
escape, sir, its.must be the room young
II. Pzeutiss has tonight"
sAnd 4 burglar is supposed to have
Dnne IN d,ere9" Anthony said calmly.
.F1e atut supposed to-he went! I
seem Aims" stated the law. "And the
LONGER we stand here and talk about
st the more chance henhas'to kill who
ever's in there!"
well, Is It happens, he isn't killing
any one, because he isn't there" Mr.
Fry said patiently with just touch
of contempt "Any one entering that
room must have awakened Mr.. Prem
tiss, and he certainly hash 'tcalled for
help. For that matter, should have
heard the window myself, because
sleep very lightly. Nevertheless, if
you wish, we will 60 in there"
Impressively dignified even in his
1&I
the side corridor, with the four trail
ing after him. They came to the door
and the officer pushed forward, cluD
raised grimly over his right shoulder
as he laid his left hand on the knob.
where's the light switch in
there?" he whispered.
Right by the door, Wilkins sup
piled.
Duck in the second turn the knob
throw on the light, and then dodge
along the wall" the law commanded
briefly. "Are you ready?'
The invaluable one muttered his
assent. The knob turned soundlessly
and the door flew open. Wilkins, with
a distinctly terrified little wheeze,
pushed in, jabbed at the button, and
scurried down the room on his hands
and knees, eyes shut to shield his
brain from the horrible impression.
Yet there was no hint of anything
horrible. With all four corners of the
room in plain sight, with the empty
closet partly open and its interior
fully visible, no burglar crouched.
pistol in hand-no masked malefactor
leaped forward to stun the officer with
his padded lead-pipe. Only David
Prentiss was in the room, and David
slumbered sweetly in the bed, the
covers pulled tight up around his,
young chin, a gentle dream-smile upon
bis regular features.
the officer began.
sHush!" Anthony said gently
''What?"
Don't wake the youngster!" An
hony whispered sharply. There's no
need for that officer. Look around il
you like and then let US get out of
heee."
He folded his arms and waited,
while the officer, visibly puzzled polIed
about with mixture of perplexity and
relief, and Johnson Boiler stood and
stared at the sleeping David.
Are you quite sure it was this win
dow, oficer?" the manager asked
"I am that, if this is the one next
TO the corner of the house,
But are you quite sure that you
didn't imagine it," Anthony asked
tartly.
The policeman looked him over
gravely.
BOSS, when l can see a man in
black clothes staring down at me, let
ting off a little howl of fright. and
then turning around and going into a
window-when | can see that and Il
amt there. III turn in my tin and go
back to the docks. The guy came in
this window and
"Well. since it Is quite evident that
he didn't, he couldn't have come in"
the manager of the faultless hotel
said hastily as he caught Anthonys
expression. you've made mistake
in the window, officer Well go down
and look up from the street again and
see just what-window you do mean
But"
I'VE will not bother the gentlemen
g., Nv, 4