The spectator., 1918-08-27
Copyright Frank \. Munsey Col

him, but he could not by any possible | chance have been prepared for wide awake, unblinking stranger staring at | him six feet away. For an instant, | only an instant, saw flicker of fear l in his eyes; then, disregarding me, he held the match to cigar stub already between his teeth and drew a long, deep pun.
 When we were once more in dark hess, save for the tip of his cigar, he said pleasantly, Good evening" I waited knew that the supersti- tious savage man way down in his heart was telling him that there would not be any answer.
 At last l said with equal pleasant ness. Good evening""
 He sighed with relief.
 'Is this Greens cottage?" he in- quired.
 "No," replied; "this is merely a shelter overlooking an especially fine view of the lake. You will enjoy it in | the morning"
 "Oh! Unfortunately I shall not be here. You, I presume. are taking care of things for MT. Green"
 "Why, yes" I returned, perfectly willing that he should take me for l night watchman until l discovered what he wanted and how he got there.
 "I was going to Mir Greens cottage. but since 1 have met you it will save me the trouble.'
 Il imagine 1t will," I answered grimly.
 "Now wait a minute" he retorted. Don't you jump at conclusions. l haven't much time or could explain it all perfectly I'm not a thief I'm newspaper man on the trail of big story, and there are few questions I want to ask and a couple of photo graphs 1 want to borrow. It looks fun ny for me to be proving around at this time of night, but there's m old grouch over at Greens who wouldn't answer my questions over the tele- l phone, so had to get boat to bring me over"
 "Umph" pretended to weigh his case judicially So you were going to break into Mir. Greens cottage to ask few questions? Well. I guess l can answer any questions you want to ask until the sheriff takes you in charge"
 Honest to goodness, man. the re- porter exclaimed. you take yourself seriously, don't you7 If you help me I'm willing to cough up . couple of dollars in real money, which is more | then ha k< in my expense account, but if you don't I'll find out anyway. because it's a way have, and you'll probably be dis charged for not catching me-
 But 1t seems to me that I have caught you." I interposed mildly.
 Hardly" he retortef From the glance l got at your figure when lit could run a hundred yards in ten fat minutes, that is-while I am some sprinter. as you will have to admit if you watch me during the next few seconds. l am on."
 But he wasn't. While he was talking I had taken the precaution of moving around between him and the door, Q that when he started to leave tripped him neatly and sat on his chest This is . very effective type of jiujitsu for a heavy set man to employ. | However, l couldn't sit on him all night For one thing l wanted to sleep. Finally an ingenious scheme solved my difficulty. I removed his coat without unbuttoning it, which is done by grasping firmly the two tails in the back, one in each hand. and pull ing sidewise. Treated in this fashion, even the most expensively made gar ment will separate along the back seam and may then be taken or from the front After had the coat in my pos session I tore 1t into strips, which | tied together and made rope with which bound his ankles and wrists. When had him all done lit match to make sure 1t was a good job. "You'u be sorry for this" he growi- ed. Mrs. Green has been abducted to Huntingdons island and murdered by lake pirates. Won't you let me go? will save her. Remember, if you don't l know what you look like and I'll put you in jail for assault"
 "It isn't customary" commented. flor men who break into other peoples houses to have any one put in jail. So long,"
 went out.
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