Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-06

II didn't think you'd get my letter
so soon" says Ellery. I'm glad you
came though. See. I've got one Of
the gang already. He's the ringleader
too"
Fine work." says I. But what's
the plot Of the piece? You didn't make
that so clear. Is it a case Of"
Hist" says Ellery. II amt told
him how much l know. Let's get off
where he can't hear. Back in the
bushes there"
And when we've circled the lodge
and put some shrubbery between US
and the road Ellery consents to open
up.
They're tryin' to do away with Sis
ter Maggie" says he. You know
who she is-Mrs. Andres Zosco"
But l thought she was Myrtle
Mapes." says I.
"Ah. that's only her screen name"
says Ellery. 1T was Maggie Bean
back in Shelby, where we come from.
And she was Maggie Bean when she
went to New York and got that job
as stenog In old Zosco's ONCE. 1t was
him who gave her a chance to act In
the movies. you know. Guess she
made good, Ell? And then Zosco got
so stuck on her that he married her.
Well that was all right. too. Course,
he's an old pill. but he's got all kinds
Of dough. Rollin' in 1t. Maggie's
done lot for the family, too. Gave
me fiivver, all for myself. last
Christmas; took me out Of the commits
sion house and started me in at high
school again. She's right there with
the check book. Maggie.
That's what makes them other
zoscos so sore-that brother Jake and
his wife. See? They'd planned all
along comm in for most Of his pile
themselves. Most likely meant to put
him out Of the way. But when they
comes on and finds the new wife
Well, the game is blocked. 1t would
go to her SO they starts right in to
get rid of Maggie. l hadn't been in
the house a day before I'd doped that
out | knew there was a plot on to
do Maggie"
You don't say!" says I. "How?"
SLOW poison, 1 expect" says Ellery.
"In her coffee, maybe. Anyway, it had
begun to work. Maggie was mopin'
around. I found her cryin'. spotted
Jake Zosco right off. You can tell
just by lookin' at him that he's that
kind. Besides, he acts suspicious.
Always prowlin' around restless. Then
there's the butler. He's in it, too. l
caught him and Jake whisperin' to-
gether. don't know how many more.
Some of the maids maybe, and most
likely a few on the outside. They
might be plannin' to stage a jewel
robbery with q double murder and
lay it all onto unknown burglars Get
me-"
"Uh huh" says I. But how much
have you got on brother Jake? And
how did you come to get him locked
up here"
"Oh. l had the goods on Jake, all
right says Ellery After l saw him
confabbin with that crook butler the
other night I shadows him constantly.
was on his trail when he sneaks
down here after dinner. I saw him
unlock the lodge house. I heard him
fumblin' around inside. Then I slips
up and locks him in. Half an hour
later down comes the butler and two
others of the gang. but when they
sees me they beats it. / expect they'd
try to rescue him. if they thought he
was there. And they may find out
any minute"
That's right" says I. Lucky 1
came out just as did. There's only
one thing to do"
whats that?" asks Ellery.
Lug Jake up to the home confront
him with the butler. tell 'em they're
both pinched, and give 'em the third
degree" says l. You'll see. One or
the other will break down and tell
the whole plot" =
Say" gasps Ellery. "wouldn't that
be slick! Just the way they do in the
movie dramas. eh?'
| had to smother a chuckle when
that came out. for I'd already recog-
niZed some of the symptoms Of
motion picture mind while Ellery was
sketchin out this wild tale.
Go to the movies much down in
Shelby?" l asks.
Most every night" says Ellery. II
used to even before Maggie got into
the game. Begun goin' when 1 was
'leven. At first I was strong for this
wild west stuff, but no more. Give
me good crook drama with a big
punch in every real Tboy,ra ,ho,;n,