The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1920-04-15
CHAPTER xvIlI.--continued.

There was slight pushing against
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 l had taken this
in, there was q different sound along
She crack, like tool on sheet metal
sort of scratching, followed by
sharp creak. The door burst open
and found myself looking into the
eyes of my just-dismissed detective.
1t would be hard to say which of the
Two. of us, the man or myself, was the
more fiabbergasted by the situation.
las for me, was too astonished to ut
terra peep; and on his side. the rumble
of the dumb-waiter had drowned what
ever noise had made in getting the
scepick, and hearing not sound in the
Kitchen while he listened before try
ing the door, and seeing me now in
warlike attitude with a strengthening
weapon in my hand ready for lunge
at him. well--I fancy it was not calcu-
dated to inspire him with calm. AT any
srate, know it was Who first discov-
cred some presence of mind, and--be-
6ors he could pull himself up high
enough t0s get in, for his waist was be-
low the level of the sill-I bounced
back into the hall. siamming the kitch-
yen door after me and locking it. In
two seconds more had up the chain
bolt and had warned monsieur of dan
ger and to keep absolutely still; and
hII this while Mr.. Detective Man was
scrambling into the kitchen.
He gave wrench on the door ham
tiIe. expecting to find me trying to
lang on to the other side-and found
the door locked
'Diablel" heard him say, low un-
der his breath.
Monsieur had tiptoed to place be-
side me, and though white as sheet,
conducted himself admirably. l had,
Dbyssfraning the words with my lips,
made him understand that the man
hyhc had just broken in through the
humb-waiter shaft was the detective
q had dismissed at the front door not
fifteen minutes ago.
1 By signs / 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
khe outer hall TO nab him the instant
he showed his face. Which seemed
reasonable and likely and / had no
tueaHs of disproving the contention.
1 therefore made the next move on
su,y intruder.
Hello. mister" called through the
do6r at him. "You may as well go
oat The way you came in, for you've
got SIS far as you'll get into this flat"
MADAME, listen" he returned. ION
my word of honor mean you no harm
II wish only to speak with you, pri-
wateIy and Immediately"
: ''Your method of obtaining private
Interviews is most inviting also con-
Nincing of the truth of what you say"
"You left me no alternative am
obliged to see you"
Inc truth HaSHeu INTO uc lHdI ne "
already traced monsieur to my fat
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 a pantomimic appeal to
me to save him.
'Atr Smith" i called through the
door again, "you asked for a private
interview with me and now you have