The Washington herald., 1919-01-13
CHAPTER III.
.T'hc Man In olive Drab.-


steps Of the stockbridge mansion
The butler had Just helped him on
with his coat The door had closed
softly. The outer air gripped with
cold that cracked. A soft snow was
falling upon the city. 1t blurred the
view of the avenue, as seen to north
and south. 1t wound the opposite
buildings with a shroud of winter.
The detective squared his shoulders,
thrust his hands in his pockets for
warmth. and hurried out between the
iron-grilled gates, which stood slight
ly ajar. He hesitated a moment on
the sidewalk. Again he glanced Up
and down the avenue. The soft
purTing OF a motor sounded. A taxi
churned through the snow. II came
TO a slow stop at the opposite curb.
The glow from an overhead arc
showed that this taxi was crammed
black with men.
That's Delaney and his squad. -
said the detective turning up his
collar. Hes late"
Drew crossed the avenue on a Ions
diagonal He eyed the alert chauffeur.
He rounded the taxi and jerked open
its door. The orders he whispered to
the squad OF operatives were tersc
, and 10 the point.
Keep Stock bridges block covered. 4"
he said. Watch all four corners
Two of you get into the alley. back OF
the house, and climb the fence. Keep
your eyes on the junction box and
the telephone wires. Don't let any
body touch them. All out now. It's
a big job with double-pay, men,"
The cramped operatives climbed out
and stood on the sidewalk. They
glanced from Drew to the towering
spires of the Stockbridge mansion.
Their eyes grew hard with calcula-
. ton.
Twelve Hours 10 Live.
She's big" repeated Drew. You
know who lives there? He's been
! threatened twice Somebody gave
| him twelve hours to live. Two OF
the twelve are gone. It's up TO us
TO see that nothing happens in the
next ten"
Delaney touched his hat. "An right.
chief" he said. We'll see. tn
answer for the boys I brought. I'll
| get rid OF this taxi" The operative
turned toward the driver.
Keep it around the corner on the
/ side street" Drew ordered. Have
him turn and head this way We
, can't tell what minute we will need
him"
Delaney gave the order. He paired
Z of the operatives and sent them hur-
! rying through the snow. Drew noticed
that he had brought six men for the
! assignment.
Good" he said as the last operative
disappeared. six is better than five.
/ This thing is widening out. wouldn't {
/ wonder if we needed more. before
| the night passes"
{ What's coming oT?" asked De
laney with an Irish grin. "Anothor
stock scandal like the Flying Boat
one?"
An echo of it-perhaps." said Drew.
/ IT'S dog eat dog. guess. Stock
I bridge is no saint. Some man with a
whisperinE-cons voice has
'phoned him the news that he was
going TO die before daylight. ] don't
think he is. Not IL I can help it"
who did he rob this time-the old
devil"
Hes retired. It's a case. perhaps
OF thieves falling out in high places
Remember how StockbridCe beat
! Morphy to the district attorney and
/ told all he knew. and went before tho
grand jury? Morphy may be behind
( this threat-by-wire."
"Morphy's behind bars. CHIEF"
Il know that He's always dan
! gerous, though"
Always Different Woman.
Another old devil" said Delaney
thrashing his arms. Il can see him
now. chief. in his big automobile. A
/ husky man with a leather coat and
cap. And always a woman by his
side chief A different woman, every
time"
He fell long way, Delaney. Come
! on. Well forget Morphy for a while
, Stockbridge is alone. He is in
danger"
, Drew clutched the operatives arm
and motioned across the street. They
plunged through the snow with heads
down. They entered the iron-grfIled
gate. Drew touched a button set in
the stone OF the doorway. He re.
peated the signal.
The door opened 10 a crack. A chair
ratified. A face blotted out the inne,
light Of the mansion.
( IAN right" said Drew. "AU right
butler This is one OF my operatives
Let US in"
The butler led the way through tn,
hall OF old masters. after taking tn,
| detectives coats and hats He parted
the curtains and announced the Cd
eratives. Drew pressed Delaney int,
the library
Stockbridge sat in the same position
between the tables. The rose Hgh
from the ornate lamp brought on
deep lines which transversed hi.
/ yellow face. Fear gave wav To ;
mumbling satisfaction as he stare,
at the two resolute detectives VIII,
! had come TO guard him. He restej
his eyes upon Delaney. His brow.
raised in inquiry
This is Delaney" said Drew. He.
the man who brought back Norph,
from Hartford. He's true blue. Dc
laney, this is your case as well a.
mine. Your old prisoner may be in
volved."
"Morphy amt in It. chief. He,
locked up tighter than the sub,
treasury's strong box. IT'S some on,
else"
What did you get on the telephon,
call? The call had you tracI
through Spencer OFT, the chief elec,
trician?-'
NoInlng. as yet! waited. That
what kept me so long" DELANEY
glanced at his watch.
Look Over House.
He'll phone later. I guess" said
Drew. Now" he added turning to
ward StockbridEe. Now. let's cove,
everything in this house. What tim,
was it. Delaney??"
Mine forty-eight, when I looked
chief"
That's early. Supnose Nnn aIInr,