The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-03-07
NO 1o6.


 | As Tracy Swung the car around,
 Judge Crane faced the detectives, and
 speaking to Haggerty, gave them an 1 outline of the chase.
 Has Haggerty told you anything about the so- o-cal1ed murder of Frances ! Tucker?" he asked, speaking to the
 others.
 They nodded. 'He said it was cooked up," one of them murmured. Tt was another girl and Miss Tucker is still alive"
 Right the judge nodded. "or at | least she was, the last we heard of 1 her. Well, I don't suppose l have to tell you that this all fits in with the other. Your chief, when I went to him l a month ago, wouldn't believe that l there was master-mind operating right under your noses. He said that was book stuff, and that he could | lay his hand on any important crook ] in New York. I didn't find out until 1 tonight who it was, but I've suspected for a long time that there was some- body at the head of things. You'll be surprised to learn that it's woman, and well known society woman at that"
 swho?" Haggerty said eagerly, lean ing forward as he shot his question at the other
 T won't kive you her name yet, boys" the judge answered slowly. There is, of course, always chance of slip. I may have my information wrong, and in that case it wouldn't be fair to the woman, but if everything works smooth. I'll show you the wo- man before the night is over. We're on our way to candy store on Hes- ter street that's supposed to be owned by Red Larkin Did any of you ever hear of it?"
 Once again they shook their heads, large disbelief showing in their eyes. You've certainly got to go some,' one of the men observed with Hit ting smile on his lips. Believe me, l know Hester street backwards. l can name every store from the Bowery to First avenue, and there's none run by IRed Larkin. I'd have heard about it
 .'ITowever, we'll see,'' the judge re- turned. T have had a telephone mes- sage from Ballin,f and he says that he is locked in a back room of a candy store"
 They had been winging their way across town, threading the crooked, narrow streets of the lower east. In daytime so crowded one could scarcely walk on the pavement. the way was
  bakers coming or going to work. A few windows gleamed fitfuily, telling the story of hard night work, and a chance policeman looked after the car with sudden interest. Pulling to halt on the Bowery, just before they reached the corner of He's ter street, they left the car in charge of the patrolman who came running up as the detectives scrambled to the sidewalk
 What's all this?" the officer wanted | to know, then catching sight of flag gerty's face, he whistled. Hello! Whats the row? Headquarters raid on?"
 They nodded briefly and Tracy, as | the others walked away, paused long enough to ask the officer to keep his eye on the car.
 They had little trouble finding the shop that Ballin had described over the telephone. Judge Crane half ex- pected to see some sign of life about the place, but it was dark and ap- parently completely deserted as he paused for a moment and started through the glass door.
 Passing on almost instantly, he stopped the others who were still with him-three of the detectives had been left to guard the approach to the shop from the west--and turned quickly to Tracy.
 What kind of hat did Frances