The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1917-11-01

unguarded. Had 1 Deen unhampered
would have detained her, for she
was in 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. My pris-
oner had an evil eye, and in a clear
test of physical strength he was far
my superior. His fall had clearly
crippled his normal activity, and the
leveled weapon did the rest.
1t was nearly half an hour before
Marvel reappeared One hand was in
side coat pocket. In front of. him,
two PAGES ahead, was the man who
had slid the roof AS soon as my cap
tive could get onto his feet and steady
himself there was group of four.
Marvel made his prisoner pilot the
way. A street corner was reached, a
police officer summoned and we were
soon at Central station.
Marvel showed no self-glorification,
but was very particular as to the dis
position of the prisoners. After they
had been searched and were removed
to separate cells below stairs, almost
Immediately the turnkey came to the
door of the stairway and beckoned to
my friend, who joined him after a
word to me to await his return.
| At the end of an hour Marvel re-
turned. The cloud of thought was not
yet dispelled from his face He had
a. card in his hand, and he came over
and sat down beside me with the air
of a person good deal tired and
somewhat disturbed
TT results in this" he said, and re-
versed the card so could view what
he had penciled upon it:
Sc. N-16791."
looked over the initials and num-
Der vaguely. What does it mean?"
asked.
You tell me-" replied Marvel, and
then his chin sank into his hand
in his old thoughtful way, and I did
not disturb him, for I knew he was
wrestling with some intricate prob
lem.
TIE two fellows we have Gagged"
he volunteered finally, "are kings in
their crooked profession. The one
chased down had carried the booty"
when he reached that woman's
house?"
YES. We found the notation strip
of the stolen package in his pocket.
He led me stern chase-over tracks,
under cars, through them, over their
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"
"Where"
Somewhere while momentarily out
of my sight among that interminable
network Of tracks. When they put
him below l had him locked next to
the inspection CELL"
What is that?"
can adjoining compartment whence
a prisoner can be closely observed
with no knowledge of the fact The
first thing my man did was to laugh
it was cunning triumph, or nothing
Then l noticed his lips move constant
ly as though he was memorizing some
thing. He searched his pockets as if
for pencil stub, found none, and then
taking the pin in his tie, scratched
something on one of the bricks of the
whitewashed wall l at once had him
removed to another CELL visited his
first place of abode. He had scratched
on the brick what you see ,there-'E
N.-16791.
"a few minutes later had him
moved back to the old cell and inspect
ed cell No. g. After some trouble
found what l was looking for. Again
e. N.--16791,' scratched on the wall
Something to be remembered, don't
you see?"
saw partly, and Marvel did not
just then enlighten me any further.
According to the way he had figured it
out, the money package had been
planted between the time his man had
slid the kitchen shed roof and his final
capture AS the chase had lasted a
full half hour and had covered nearly
a mile of territory, I glimpsed diff
cult task before my friend.
We went back to Markham street to
find, the house locked up and deserted
Marvel walked through the rear yard
and was going over his own tracks. He
proceeded leisurely, and had ample
time to reason or test the play of my
imagination. / am not inventive, and
no suggestions came to my mind.
It must have been an hour later
when we came to little telegraph
shanty In the center of the great
switch yards. The man in charge sat
at his table. his feet crossed upon 1t.
Marvel entered unceremoniously.
II want to ask you few questions.
my man." he announced, "if you have
the time, but just then there came a
call on the ticker.
"Fifty-seven out" spoke the opera
tor rapidly. tive got some details to
take. Will you sit down and walt for
me ten minutes?"
Marvel bowed assentingly. We took
chairs. Marvel sat thinking deeply. !
noted that his eyes were fixed on the
open window, his senses mechanically
taking in the busy drone of the ticker.
| for he was expert in that direction,
although very little interested him at
present outside of the unsolved prob
lem of the missing bank money.
Suddenly my friend started so sud-
denly that stared strangely at him.