The Washington herald., 1919-01-30

stopped and examined the lock OF the
bolt which was functioned by a
butterfly OF heavy gold alloy. lie
stood erect with both hands pressing
at his temples II came TO him with
double force shat the same precau-
tions had been taken when Stock
bridge was alone In the library down.
stairs. There was the lock of superior
make and the winged latch. Their.
was the two-inch, or more. door OF
dark wood There were the servants
and detectives both within and out
side the mansion. Yet the millionaire
had been reached in a secret manner
through ell precautions.
] Things repeat sometimes." unused
Drew, lingering the catch and the nat
key. THE sape conditions bring the
same results T.
The detectives voice trailed into a
whisper as he heard footsteps outside
the door. He reached back to his
pocket and waited. His heart
thumped like a prisoned bird within
his breast. 1t was a case-of strained
nerves. He felt the responsibility OF
guarding Loris.
'aBah." he exclaimed. recovering
himself and squaring his jaw. Bah. q"
he repeated. It's somebody for me. q"
He opened the door after twisting
; the butterfly and turning the fiat key
! in the lock A blurred figure pressed
forward A gruff voice doomed from
i a murfling collar.
"HelIo. chief! I'm back in a hafl-
hour! No luck, either"
- Drew waited until Delaney had re-
= moved his overcoat and overshoes
which he placed in one corner by d
hall tree. -, nat did YOU find?' he
asked giancing toward the tapestries,
The fellows beat Il for good.
I.andlady says he owes her one w
rent. He cleaned out with suitcase
and left this" The operative reached
in his pocket and brought forth q
single drill Of quarter-inch diameter
He held II out IAN I could find, chief
after a quick frislS This was in the
mattress"
Regulation lineman's wood bit
, said Drew as he examined the slz'
number on the shank. This nigh
have been the one used in borlni
the hole between thc slot booths al
Grand Central Station"
Then Albert Is the lad. chief.
/ we don't know. yet. There's lott
, OF bits like this one. Did you try q
for fngerprints?'
They're all rubbed of, ] had e
null II from the mattress. 1t wal
, stuck in a hole near the foot OF th'
bed"
Hold it, said Drew. Hold it fo
} evidence. Put 1t with your plastic
casts. Now"
We'll, chief"
n brew glanced at his watch Tn
: going out TO that drllC store" he said
u 81 want TO phone. 7 can't use tb'
, phones OF this house. The wires may
=, l,c tapped. You stay right by thi
a door and wait till I get back. j won
ile more than ten minutes. Go &c
. my hat when you're putting the hi
:, away. Its in the corner by Lori
c and Nichols. Tell them I'm steppin;
out and that you will stand guard
They might hold me. She is yer!
nervous"
Delaney was back at the detective
side. after clumsy stride thrcuCl
4 the tapestries cute couple" he said
. jerking his thumb ovcr-Shouldc
!, toward the inner room. They're sittin
there so close you couldn't get a shec
Of PAPER between them. like tha
colleen. chief, She's the kind you Sc
! on them magazine covers-onl!
-, prettier."
y "A cat can look at a queen" quotet
= Drew. pulling down his hat and onen
y ing the door wide. BE sure and loci
' this after me" he warned. Lock an,
n bolt it. stand guard and don't lc
= anybody in at all I'm only goin
round the block"
Delaney shut the door and turne
the key. He followed this action b.
twisting the butterfly Then he dreI
his gun and waited. crimlv alert.
Drew reached the drug store after
n brisk, lnng-CleansinC walk through tn
s down-driving snow. He drorped a Col
Y in the slot and first called Up his Office
d Harrigan. who had remained at ri
post, answered for most Of the Opera
tives who were out on the case an
y who had 'phoned in AT every oppor
Is tunity.
II Get Frick at the prison." Drew she
y hack. after making a few notes. &c
: him and tell him 10 call up .thi
n Shone." Drew glanced at the numhe
. over the tTausmitter. Tell him
IF call up Gramercy Hill $40 and L
whoever I station here. know 70 whor
and to what number Nor~hy is talkIu
in New York. Get that
Sure" came hack over the wire
I Sure, chief. You want to pinch IN
fellow he's connecting with"
"I certainly do" said Drew Nv
can work in this way. As soon a
I find out from Frick where Nornh
= or anybody else is 'phoning from N
= prison, | can get a man over t'.'
; in time to make the arrest tn
= superintendent at GramerCy IIil' Wi
= help us out il the call comes thr0uc
5 his exchange. He can got th" -rr
e to stall for a minute or two. I'll sen,
d Delaney here to hold THIS end of tn
= wire. You keep him posted as 10 dc
. velopments O'TOoIe yes He
s planted in the alley hack Of tho house
He can't report. All the others ar
all right
Drew hung W with flip or IN
receiver. He backed ont OF the hoot
: and hurried around the corner. III
Y | reached the iron-Crilled gate Of tn
a mansion with his head down and th,
: snow seeping between his collar an'
his neck.