The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-21

"HREE times the knock sounded
on my door. Then came a mo-
rnent's interval. and the knock
was repeated. I took no unnecessary
chances when I-unlocked the door and
opened 1t wide enough to command a
view of my visitor. t+e
That visitor. / found, was not the
person I had expected. For standing
there I saw middle-aged woman in
the dove-gray uniform OF the Order Of
Deaconesses.
What can do for you?" i finally
demanded. I could see the primijT held
mouth corner relax. the dropping
shoulders become more erect. and the
pensively inclined head with its gray
drapsd hood suddenly thrown back
This was followed by peal of laughter
as light as il was unexpected.
"Toosey Attrill!" I gasped still star
ing at Aer.
The demure figure in gray settled
into one of my wicker club-chairs. The
next moment she was busy fumbling
under her dun draperies for what !
strongly suspected to be a Turkish
cigarette. eei-
II thought you'd hurried of to catch
a night train for Chamboro," said, as
I closed the door and locked it.
I've got over an hour before that
train slides out" she calmly explained.
And somebody's gotta wise me up be-
fore lose myselfNn the tall timber"
In the first place, Toosey," I told
her, this is more the Protective Union
than Alliance work. The diamond bus
mess. as you're probably beginning to
learn. Is one of the biggest businesses
In this country Most OF 1t centers
around Maiden Lane. That's headquar-
tiers for practically all of the big brok-
ers and dealers and importers. Natur-
ally, they have to send their goods out
out on sale and out to customers
That's whers the diamond carrier
comes in"
This man Oldershaw who's just
wired in his troubles to the Union. is
a traveller for the diamond house OF
Oppenheim & Son These big houses
as I've said, have to have travellers.
They're trusted mon. who've all been
tried out"
Toosey still seemed to be perplexed.
But what d'you s'pose would've given
this gink Oldershaw a sudden attack o.
cold feet?" she inquired.
That's what the inspector is send
. ing you out to Chamboro to find out
Oldershaw's got a hundred and ten
thousand dollars worth of unmounted
etOHeS Win MIN On THIS Trip ana ne
has to be protected. Something has
happened to make him suspicious. He
wants help. And Sloan thinks you're
the right person to take it to him.
Toosey languidly consulted her
watch. We'll, I'm not crazy about the
job" she announced. For my idea of
excitement amt stallin' as a choich
woiker in a backwater town.
You're to send for me if you need
me-" 1 told her. as 1 crossed to the
door and unlocked it. -,&
unlocked that door more quickly
than had intended. I flung 1t open,
startled by the discovery that someone
had been standing outside of it. /
stepped into the hallway just in time TO
catch sight Of figure vanishing fur
lively about the first turn.
Two hourJ later Inspector Sloan was
calling me'yp from the Alliance ofices,
"Balrny," he said over the wire. II
want you to catch the midnight train
for Chamboro. A carrier for the Adel-
stein house named Brescher has swung
or his regular route to camp in that
town. and from Oldershaw's message
I don't like the looks of things there. /
want you to get right after Toosey At
trill Go to the Lantry House. and re-
member that desk clerk there called
MacLean can act for us at pinch.
Brescher matched a string OF pearls
for his house in Philadelphia and has
the goods with him. They're valued at
about ninety thousand. The ONCE here
isn't altogether satisfied about Bresch-
or. Get in touch with Toosey and act
on the evidence you're able to pick
up. That's clear isn't it? Goodnight"
tried to hold the wire, but my con-
mArfiO0 was alPez dxyS Ct1f NJ
bled into my clothes, 'phoned for my
train time and a taxicab. flung my
things together. and started for the
door. I was just taking the key from
It's lock when my telephone rang
again.
This is Fulner, of Inspector sloan's
once" announced the voice over the
wire. The Inspectors left word for
you not to get OF at ChamboFo. but to
so on to the town Of Oakville. the next
station. A trustworthy. man will be
waiting there to motor you back to the
Lantry House Of Chamboro"
''Fulner?" questioned. for the name
was new to me.
Yes. his secretary" came the some
what impatient answer.
'FWill you kindly put Inspector Sloan
On the wire for me- asked. ~
The Inspector went home ana &c
bed twenty minutes ago. He'll tall
with you over long distance in the
Morning"
"Ali right" said as rang of. But
the more thought over that message
from the Inspectors once the more
troubled in mind became. accord
ingly dropped into pay-station booth
before climbing aboard my train and
called up Sloan at his house. He. an