The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-07
the big blue one -

Il never got the big blue one!" he
shouted a. me.
"Of course you didn't, since Citrate
Sam happens to be carrying that him
SELF" was my quiet response. Then
put out another feeler. And you didn't
get the big white one either. Pareto
told me that much, But you worked
with those taxi bandits. Raht and Mo-
ran. ard got the eight little ones be-
tween you. while Scar himself carried
off the Start"
Somebody's sure been wisin' yuh up |
haven't they" Knocked the man on the
bed. but no skirts goin to butt into |
my business"
That's just the trouble, Pip" I told
| him. "a skirt has been butting into it,
right along!"
Whose skirt?" he demanded. And L
knew had guessed right.
That's the question" I equivocated.
Whose is she? But what I want to
know" 1 went on, 'is how she ever
threw harpoon into him?"
Unto who?" questioned PIP.
Unto Woodworth!" answered.
! Il don't know nothin' about Wood
woeth!" was Pip's all-too-patent lie.
/ Then 1t wasn't from her that Scar
got the tip that the stone was on its
way out here p" I ;sked.
SAY" said Pip. struggling in vain
to rise on his elbow. 'yuh can't third
degree no talk out O. mel"
Then I called Toosey- Get Babbitt
here, and get him quick" commanded.
foosey had started for the door. when
she suddenly fell back. For a step
sounded in the hall outside and ia Just
time to swing in behind the door as
the steps stopped and wavered in front
Of Pip Keefer's room.
"Ah, my friend" intoned a melan-
cIoly and quite unmistakable voice.
Il am in search of an unfortunate
youth who is said to be seriously ill
who indeed is"
THEN how'd I suit?'' 1 inquired as
that blue-jowled figure in clericals
stepped into the room.
Sad Sam Everson swung half way
: about but it was only to blink down
at niy\revolver. leveled directly at his
block broadcloth vest front.
, aYou move an inch" 1 told him. with
all the ferocity I could fling into the
words, and you're the deadest crook
outside a casket. So stick 'em up and
stick 'em up quick"
? He knew very we'll what meant by
that nod toward his hands. He raised
: them slowly above his shoulders. and
stood there staring at me.
'Toosey, frisk Sam and see what he's
carrying. Every pocket Don't be afraid
; of him, for as sure as he moves an inch
he'll have hole through his ribs!"
Here's a pawn ticket announced
Toosey, as she handed me slip o.
paper over her shoulder. Instead OF
a pawn ticket is was a claim check or
the Hotel Pontchartrain deposit vault
My eyes were still bulging with thi:
discovery when double explosion tool
place. 1t was an explosion of move
ment beginning with the sharp rip Of
a sheet on the bed behind me. At the
moment that I involuntarily turned tC
Investigate this. Citrate Sam huns
Teosey violently against me. AS
staggered back against the bed. PHI
Keefer snatched the claim check from
my startled fingers, sprang for the dool
and bolted.
1 followed. with my revolver sti1l II
my hand, while Toosey Attrill just a.
frantically took up the chase of thu
man in the clericals.
Now, a man in an abbreviated night
shirt speeding through the streets of .
city in broad day light is not Difficult
mark to follow But Pip, attired 70
speed, travelled at a rate which easil!
overmatched my grimmest efforts. TIL,
chase. saw. could not be a long one
I'd already sent a. bullet flying wildly
after him. and thereby still furthe
increased his speed. when a patrolman
beholding that flying figure. lodged be
! hind a house step and reappeared or
the sidewalk just In time to have Phi
hurl himrelf bodily into a pair o
brawny arms in blue. where he wa
proceeding to mssticate the CLAIM
check between his yellow teeth whei
I came painting up. And I lost no tim
in snatching this tidbit from the NAV
of the voracious Pip.
Sixty seconds later I was speeding
for the Pontchartrain.
1. I picked up the house detective as
: hurried into the big hotel 1t took an
:, other minute to explain the situation
e as we handed over our claim check
II tried to look cool, by my heart was il
n my mouth as the clerk duly passed GU
II a numbered envelope.
3 We tore it open. without speaking
g In it we found only a safety razor boz
% filled by an oblong something wrappe'
l. in tissue paper. The man at my sid
a proceeded to unwrap this unknown
something. The. next moment 1 hear
: him say under his breath: GLORY be
s What a stone!" And my heart start
70 ed to pound again. for knew that
n was staring at the Blue Pear ITSELF
= BY the time I'd reached the Wood
d worth mansion again I'm worked out m.
of plans. A footman whose face was nev
d to me admitted me.
y Mrs. Woodwork" said. as soon
W I was alone with that lady. where ar.
d. your jewels?"
ID Since that robbery I've had my nus
band keep practically everything o
h value in his ONCE vault" she explain
= ed. But I've just sent Parsons and m!
p maid, Lucille. to bring them to me-"
Then get. your husband quick"
n. commanded. Tell him to keep thos
jewels in the vault at any cost! Don
= stop for reasons, please. or you'll los
" the one chance We have left" AM
almost pushed her over to wher
Al her boudoir extension instrumen
= stood Tell your husband to explain Il