The Washington herald., 1919-01-27


stay around the corner" he or
dered. Stay. TIL 1 send word. Here's
dollar for supper Get that and
wait"
The driver touched his cap and
reached for the bill Drew swung
northward. threw back his head, and
plowed along the snow-laden side
walk. Delaney's statement over the
telephone had stirred every drop of
red blood in his body. Loris was in
danger! This nerved him on. He
clenched his sloved fists as he reach
ed the first side street He crossed
the wheel-churned snow. with his
lips gripped in a hard white line His
eyes raised in heavy-lidded scrutiny
Of the towering turrets and spires
Of the mansion. Lights shone from
its windows as IL in defiance to the
powers of darkness which encom-
passed the dwelling.
A snow-crusted form stepped out
from a basement shelter Drew raised
his arm as a barrier when a figure of
man lurched in his direction.
Hello, O'Toole," he blurted. rec
ognizing the operative. What are
you doing here?"
O'TooIe jerked a mittencd finger in
the direction of the mansion. Our
lads in there" he said. thrashIng his
arms and Tipping his finger for g
\ second time. Harry Nichols he
explained.
so! The whole case seems TO
be gathering again. Every clew leads
this way now. What did you learn
today?"
O'Toole yawned. Il got on the job
early" he said with frosty breath.
'T waited The lad came down. He
got in a taxi and I'm right after him.
! First he went TO the quartermaster's s
Offices Of the Battery. Then he went
TO Governors Island. From there
| traiIed him to the Red Cross head
quarters. He ''phoned Gramercy Hill
s764. at least three times"
''To the girl in the case?"
Yen, chief! He's gone on her. He
tended to some funeral matters con-
nected with Stockbridge. bought some
flowers-three dozen lilies Of the val
ley-then came on up here. I've been
waiting a long time"
Seen anybody about"
delaney and some central ONCE
men-that's all, Shall stay here
Not here, Jump hack in the alley
and watch the junction box. think
Delaney has been there. You'll find
the snow melted I'm spots. Plant
somewhere. and keep your eyes open.
Grab anybody you see tamperinC with
the wires to the house. They threat
ened Loris with a letter this after
noon"
Drew did not stop to explain. He
/ - nHFT111n
at the iron-grilled gate. passed
through and pressed the button.
A central Office man with a gold
badge showing. jerked the door open
and glanced out. He blinked sagely
as he recognized the detective.
"AIl right" said Drew. Let me
| in"
The door swung wider. Drew
lunged through and turned What's
new he asked. pointing a thumb
over his shoulder. Are those serv-
ants still under arrest?''
Some Of them. inspector" -runted
the central office man. Il can't talk
much. Fosdick gave me hell for talk
\ ing 10 a newspaper man. lie left
word. though, that you could come
! in"
Thanks" Drew said dryly.
Thanks That's kind or him. You
/ are holding down this door"
Sure. Inspector, The butler and
the second-man are down at head
quarters. don't like the job. but or
ders is orders
Drew Ioosened his overcost. To-
moved his kid gloves. stamped his
snow-covered shoes on the rug. and
hurried past the library. where stood
burly central Office man on qua I'd
He mounted the steps with the run
ming motion of a boy OF Il. He
! glanced upward 10 where velvet-soft
light glowed at the entrance to I,oris
Stockbridge's suite Of rooms. Delaney
/ stood framed i'm the opening. His
huge bulk blotted out the inner rooms.
His face. seen in the high shadows,
was long and grim.
She's in there" said the operative
raising his chin over his lifted arm.
Miss Stockbridge is in there. She's
with her maid-one Fosdick tried 10
pinch-and Harry Nichols. She's got
a notice by special delivery. that the
! coffin she ordered from the Hardwood
Casket Company Of Jersey City. viii,
be delivered tomorrow. She never
ordered any coffin, chief. Amt that
! dirt-to girl like that? What dye
| think OF it,
( Drew's answer to Delaneys ques-
! ton was a grinding of teeth and a
sharp oath of defiance. He clutched
| the operatives arm in a nipping grip.
He led him into the tiny reception
! hall Of the suite.
The detective paused on the thresh-
old of a larger room. He dropped
his hand from Delaney's arm. He
stabbed sharp glsnces here and there
about the interior. He widened his
| eyes as they came to rest upon 4
| further doorway. which was huns
with soft tapestries gathered to the
side walls by cords Of giik- Beyond
! this doorway. like the vista Of som.
New York Show Judges.