New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-07-18
The BIackmQiIeys

olack-nalred, not easily abashed and
always ready with smile. He was
confident that he could get this lob
in the Babbing Bureau, in compe-
tition with any of the "boobs" who
were waiting to dispute it with him,
unless some one among them had q
pull" Being an experienced New
Yorker, it was the fear of the pull
that worried him.
He waited alertly on the edge Of
his settle, watching for an indica-
ton that the interviews with III. M.
Archibald were to begin and ready
to rise and thrust himself forward as
the first applicant. For moment he
did not recognize Babbing when the
detective entered from an inner Of
fee, in spring overcoat and light
felt hat.
He had small black satchel in
his hand. He spoke to the telephone
girl. Barney heard her ask: "The
Antwerp" Babbing added: "Until
o'clock"
He came toward the gate of the
railing, and Barney rose to open it
for him. Babbing did not appear to
notice him, SO Barney preceded him
to the door and opened that also.
IN take your satchel, Mr.. Bah
bing,' Barney said, authoritatively.
And Babhing gave it to him in the
manner of an absent mind.
The whole proceeding had been a
sudden inspiration on Barney's part,
born of desire to distinguish him
self in Babbing eyes from the
other prospective office boys on the
settles. Now, with Babbing's satchel
in his hand, he followed the detec-
tive into well-flled elevator. Bar
ney got out first, preceded Babbing
to the entrance of the building, and
stood at a revolving door for him
to go first. Babbing passed him
with glance. A taxicab was wait
ing at the curb, and he crossed the
sidewalk to it, with Barney at his
heels. While he was speaking in a
low tone to the driver Barney
opened the cab door and held it open
for him to get in; and he got in.
without remark. Barney put the
satchel at his feet; but the feet, too,
were blind, they did not move. Bar
ney shut the door reluctantly; and
the Indifferent auto slowly started
up Broadway.
Barney did not understand that if
you are detective, confronted by
an incident which you do not under
stand, you pretend that you do not
see it, so that you may observe it
without putting it on it's guard. He
stood looking after his wasted op-
portunity for a regretful moment.
Then he turned and ran toward City
Hall Park, to get an express train in
the subway station at the Bridge.
He knew that the Antwerp-if it
was the Hotel Antwerp that was
meant-was around the corner from
the subway station at Forty-secon
Street
Although the subway is not so ex-
pensive as taXicab, it is speecier
in the long run; and Barney was
standing near the door of the Ant
werp-somewhat blown but cheer
fully composed-when Babbing's
car whirred around the corner and
drew up to the sidewalk. Barney
opened the cab door and took the
satchel briskly, with a smile of
recognition which the detective ig-
nored. When the driver had bee,
paid, Babbing turned into the hotel,
apparently oblivious of his escort
and Barney followed undiscouraged,
with the bag.
"Get away, kid" he said to the
bellboy who offered to carry it. GER
III bite your ankle"
Standing back at respectful dis
lance, he watched the detective get a
letter and his room-key at the desk.
When he went to the elevator there
was nothing for Barney to do but to
go after him. In the elevator Bah
bling said Eighth" and busted him
self with his letter, which he read
and pondered on. He put it in his
pocket and looked Barney over, for
the first time, with an distracted eye
Barney smiled at him ingratiat-
ingly. The smile met with no re-
Spouse.
And still Barney was not discour-
aged. He was not apprehensive. He
was not even nervous There was
nothing forbidding in the mild re-
serve of the detectives face. He
looked like man Of a kindly person
atty. He seemed easy-going and
meditative. And Barney, of course
was not the first to get that impress
sion of him. 1t was one of the things
D. ...o1o.,