The Washington herald., 1919-01-12

fldfntSs ne sdiu. Sof1ltln1DR SDec1nc,
Who of all of them would be capable
OF 'phoning the cemetery, represent
ing himself to be your family physi-
clan and ordering the grave dug?
Who might think Of thing like
that?"
"well, there's Harry Nichols, for
instance. He's an ass with a cham
payne thirst and a shoestring salary.
I threw him out of the house the
other day. He was calling on Loris.
to get me-"
How old is hep
About twenty-three-or four!
Smokes. drinks and plays golf!'
Name some Others" suggested
Drew artfully,
"Morphy!"
'I got him."
whole Pirate Crew.
"Morphy's brother who escaped
when we had Morphy indicted. I
don't know where he is. Then there's
Vogel and Vogers friends. oh. there's
a pirate crew of them. Some were
mixed up in the first Flying Boat
failure. They would all like to see
me in Ridgewood Cemetery. I'll fool
them"
You've given me Harry Nichols.
Morphy, Morphys brother, VogeI and
VogePs friends. That's four and a
few outsiders. Can you think OF any
more?"
Not at present! One Of them is
for this letter I want you
to get busy. II you won't take the
case, I'll get an agency that will.
There's plenty"
I'm handle it," said Drew, when
1t gets to be a case. AS it is now,
Mr.. Stockbridge-"
"Buuurrruuurrr Buuurrruuurrr
Buuurrruuurrr!"
The magnate started. He lowered
his cigar, balanced it on the edge OF
the table, and turned slowly in his
chair He leaned over a smaller table
which was Uttered with bronze ash
trays and inlaid match boxes. He
lifted the receiver OF the insistent
telephone. He pressed this to his ear
Drew watched him narrowly The
terseness OF a static charge OF high
voltage was in the great library. The
face Of the munition magnate grew
cold with hauteur. 1t changed over
the seconds to venom and red anger
His neck purpled. The diaphragm of
the telephone instrument hissed it's
message. His hand clutched the hard
rubber receiver with white strength
A click followed as the connection
was broken. Stockbridge dropped the
receiver upon the hook. He turned
slowly and stared at Drew with eyes
that had aged over the moments
Wrinkles shot from their corners
Cra1H srrLN pr1a u -,
depths.
Threat by Phone.
What happened?" questioned Drew
half rising from his chair and lean
ing over. Who 'phoned?"
The magnate's chin described an
upward arc. His lips grew firm
Bulges showed at the sides of his
jaw.
"what-who was it," asked the de-
tective
Stockbridge stared at the letter upon
the table. His neck changed from
purple to a pasty ochre A green
sheen, like of death. overspread his
crafty features. He was stricken
with the clutch of fear
Drew waited and thought rapidly.
What happened" he asked with
persuasion. Nothing serious -
hope?
Serious" said Stockbridge absent
ly. Serious" he snarled Yes. it
was serious, 1t was a death threat.
1t was what l had expected. 1t fol-
lows the letter They-he will get me.
He-he-"
Who" asked the detective.
Drew heard the table creaking as
muscles stifrened-as
the magnate's hands clutched the
edge of the polished surface.
Who he repeated on the alert
for possible clews.
Who! don't know. But they
will-he will"
Easy" said Drew Take it easy.
sir. This is a modern age We are
in the heart of civilization. Nobody is
going to get you! I'll see to that"
You can't see, This man knows
He said that I would be
dead within twelve hours. That I
would be in my grave in seventy-two
hours. He mentioned the grave at
Green-Ridgewood Cemetery. He
gave secret details of my life which
few alone know. Early folIies or
mine. An actress. A deal in War
Babies and an electrical stock which
was hushed up. l was the silent
partner in that. How should this man
know all of these things about me?"
Just what did he say"
Marked for Death.
I've told you! He said enough,
He threatened to kill me despite all
the precautions | would take. He
said 1 was marked for a death which
all the police in the world couldn't
solve. That l would be killed in spite
0f every effort TO save me. What is
t-pOison? Have I already been given
poison?"
Drew reached across the table and
'lutched the magnate's left wrist. He
pulled out a flat watch and timed
the pulse. Normal. almost" he said
softly. You're normal. despite the
shock. Your temperature is fair. 1
don't think it was a toxin he meant.
That deadens a man and brings slow
,omo"
We'll, what did he mean" The
had found his voice and his
old-time nerve. What would YOU do
n my case?" he said cunningly.
Drew glanced at the telephone, He
raised his brows and swung full
upon Stockbridge. His finger
between the money-king's
eyes. 1t was as steady as an auto
matte revolver
Did you recognize that voice." he
asked sharply. Tell me the facts,
can't go ahead unless you do.
must work from facts"
No" declared Stockbridge. mo.
did not! I never heard it before
="
What was it like?"
'Hollow-whispering - almost fem
nine in tone. I thought it was a
woman at first. 1t wasn't, though, If
vas man or boy"