The Jasper news., 1920-03-04
CHAPTER xvlII.-cOntlnu.d.


the dumb-waiter door-three or four
little clicks against the catch, such as
the wind might make blowing up the
shaft, had there been any wind to
blow. Almost before / had taken this
In, there was different sound along
the crack, like tool on sheet metal
a sort Of scratching, followed by a
sharp creak. The door burst open
and found myself looking into the
eyes Of my just-dlsmlssed detective.
1t would be hard to say which Of the
two Of US, the man or myself, was the
more fiabbergasted by the situation.
As for me, | was too astonlshed to ut
ter peep; and Oh his side, the rumble
of the dumb-waiter had drowned what
ever noise / had made In getting the
iceplck, and hearing not a sound in the
Kitchen while he listened before try
Ing the door, and seeing me now In
warlike attitude with a savage-lOoking
weapon In my hand ready for lunge
at him, WE'LL fancy It was not calcu-
lated to inspire him with calm. At any
rate, / know II was Who first discov-
fore he could pull himself up high
enough to get In, for his waist was be-
low the level of the sill bounced
back Into the hall, slamming the kitch-
en- door after me and locking Il. In
two seconds more had up the chain
bolt and had warned monsieur of dan
ger and to keep absolutely still; and
a xayhf Il.
scrambling into the kitchen.
He gave a wrench on the door han
die, expecting to find me trying to
Lang on to the other slde-and found
the door locked
"Diable" l heard him say, low un-
der his breath.
Monsieur had tiptoed to place be-
side me, and though white as a sheet,
conducted himself admirably. had,
by framing the words with my lips,
made him understand that the man
who had just broken In through the
dumb-walter shaft was the detective
had dismissed at the front door not
fifteen minutes ago.
BY signs l then communicated to
monsieur the suggestion that now was
his chance to escape by the front door
while held his pursuer in the kitchen.
Monsieur disagreed with ne, fatty,
and by signs Informed me that there
might be half dozen men waiting In
the outer hall 10 nab him the instant
he showed his face. Which seemed
reasonable and likely and / had no
means of dlsproving the contention.
/ therefore made the next move on
my intruder.
"Hello, mister" l called through the
door at him. "You may as well go
out the way you came in, for you've
got as far as you'll get into this fat"
Madame, listen," he returned. "On
my word of honor mean you no harm
Il wish only to speak with you, pri-
vately and Immediately"
your method of obtaining private
Interviews is most inviting-alsO con.
vincing Of the truth Of what you say"
you left me no alternative am
obliged to see you"
The truth flashed into me that he'd
already traced monsieur to my fiat
and the determination to see me was
only an excuse to lay hold on him |:
and at the same moment monsieur
touched me on the shoulder and by
signs communicated the same fear,
ending with pantomimic appeal to
me to save him.
'Mr. Smith," / called through the
door again, you asked for q private
Interview with me and now you have
1t. l will put my ear to the keyhole
and you may whisper through what
you have to say"
He said something that i didn't
catch-I know it was a bad word
and replied with pollteness, "If you
will kindly unlock the door and allow
me to enter, you will have no cause
to regret 1t. On my word of honor, /
assure you that no harm shall come to
yOu-or any property Of yours"
'"Thanks for your kind assurance
and won't unlock the DOOR"
Madame, l beg Of you to listen to
reason"
'Mr. Jones, II you are not out Of
there In two minutes, shall telephone
for the police"
"If you do not unlock this door In
two seconds / shall break 1t In"
He waited two seconds; then TAX
ing the tool with which he had pried
open the dumb-waiter door, he started
TO Jimmy open the kitchen door.
"Stopp commanded.
He stopped-evidently thinking I
meant to unlock the door.
at won't do you one particle Of good
In Jimmy this door Open" / began,