The Carlisle independent., 1917-08-23

be something in it after all.
 There certainly was something in it. At half past twelve Reddy, the lookout, saw Romanoff stand inside the bathroom and signed to him that he found the coast clear. The maid had left the window open, as had been ar ranged. Romanoff entered the pas sage and crept cautiously toward Le- ontfne's boudoir.
 The door of Leontine's room was slightly ajar. Romanoff halted, and, listening, heard her even breathing as she slept. He crept back into the bathroom and looked down. Reddy was still standing at the foot of the fire escape. up which he had come.
 Coward as he was, Romanoff knew that unless he brought back the neck lace his occupation would be gone, so far as Blanca was concerned. He went back softly, and, taking a skeIe- ton key from his pocket, unlocked the door at the end of the passage lead ing into the other rooms of the apart ment. With an escape thus assured. he entered the boudoir took his sta tion before the safe and began to ma nipulate the handle in accordance with the formula penciled upon his shirt cuff.
 It was at this juncture that Casey, Cohen and Logan, leaving their auto mobile round the corner in charge of the fourth policeman, came quietly 1,n l, glance showed Casey the familiar form of Reddy, standing at the foot of the fire escape and looking pensively up- ward.
 Instinct brought Reddy's attention to Casey'S presence. He did not stop to pass the time of night, but bolted- into the expansive arms of Cohen, at the other corner of the block.
 Cohen welcomed him with his night stick, and promptly led his subdued and battered prisoner toward the au- tomobile
 Romanoff had got the safe open. h. side he saw the jewel case with the necklace. He stretched his hand out longingly. As he did so the two po- licemen entered the hall.
 Romanoff dropped the case and scrambled for the door which he had unlocked so proyidentially. He smashed it open-to encounter Sebas- tian, who, hearing the noise in the bathroom, had slipped on his dress ing gown and had come to investigate
 Romanoff lodged like an eel, for Casey and Logan were hard at his heels. The two policemen tripped over his outstretched foot and tumbled upon Sebastian. ROmanoff darted into Leontine's bedroom.
 The girl, awakened by the sounds, sat up in alarm. She caught nasty glimpse of the crooks face. That was all. Romanoff dashed for the window, smashed it with one blow of his el- bow, and clambered upon the sill, just as Logan and Casey fired simultane- ously from the doorway.
 One bullet went wild, the second struck Romanoff a glancing wound across the upper part of the thigh. With yell he leaped into the dark ness.
 Romanoff went through the yard, scrambled upon a projecting roof, ran up the roof like a monkey, slid down q fire escape, and reached an empty street As he did so he heard Casey shouting from the yard.
 The trail of blood he left behind him would betray him in a few moments.
 RomanOff bound up his wound with his handkerchief, let down his trouser leg, and then made his way, moaning, toward the street cars.
 Half an hour later, weak and fren- zied with pain, he staggered into Bi- ancas house.
 
 Hes the only man who knew of our plan to get the necklace. He gave it away"
 Nonsense !" said Blanca angrily. The miscarriage of this second scheme against Navarro had, in fact. exasper- ated her. Tt was your own stupidity and Reddy's."
 That fellow Ravengar is at the bot tom of 1t, anyway" he snarled. Ever since we had him in the cellar things have been going wrong. He heard us, anyhow, Blanca"
 If you don't mind your manners you'll leave this house instantly" snapped Blanca.
 "Weil-madame." muttered Roma noff, abashed He heard us laying our plans and even if he didn't give the tip to the police he ought to be killed."s
 Blanca unused for while. Then she touched her bell, and Wong Lee came shuffling in.
 "Where is Mir. Ravengar?" inquired Blanca.
 'In cellar, missis. All tight No can get out again."
 "Tll take look at him." said Blanca thoughtfully. Do you think you are able to accompany me, Mir. Roma noff?"