The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-03-20
CHAPTER VII
iieyoni the SosL~i Door

Il was up there today. Crewe,
ge,tin' next" Hawkins announced
Il took an impression Of the supcr'-
key TO the street entrance while
was there. Just borrowed Il for a
minute 10 pry open my watchcase
with. It's funny how dead easy some
OF them guys are"
Since you have key. we will
go TO tho door as II We belonged
in the building. The entrance IL lock.
ed at midnight. and n tenant has
forgotten his key he has TO ring the
bell IL will be , o'clock BY tho time
We grrtherc. and the night man will
probably be asleep. We viii enter
quietly and use tho stairs"
They were silent after that until
they arrived at the building Crcwe
noiseiessiy unlocked and opened the
door. and preceded Hawkins up the
stairs. OF which there were seven
long flights for them 10 ascend.
They halted at each floor to listen.
and so arrived at last at the ono they
sought There. as they came TO a
stop. Crcwc pulled Hawkins hurried
iy away from the door.
Well he might do 30,
Crewe's sharp eyes had discovered
that tho seals on the door had been
broken.
Don't make sound. Jack he
whispered into Hawkins ear. There
Is somebody here ahead OF us. I've
got TO know who II Ia too. and what
he Is after. Get behind the stairs
and wait
Hawkins moved away swiftly to
ward the stairway. Crewe got upon
his hands and knees and applied an
eye TO the crack beneath the door.
and discovered that whoever had pre-
ceded him In gaining access to tho
place was stiIi there.
Detecting the stcalthy fall OF ap.
preaching footsteps beyond the closed
door. crewc sprang to his feet and
Joined Hawkins behind tho Jog made
by the stairway.
Crewe was certain tina, the man In.
side-or the men. II more than ono
would descend the stairs when ready
To depart. and 40 he and Hawkins
mounted halfway up the stairs that
the balustrade TO watch
He had barely taken up his post
ton when the door Of the apartment
was pulled slowly and noiselessiy ajar
from within
A man whose face was closely muf
fled up to his eyes. came out An
other. equally mufflcd. but whose
burly frame. STOPPING shoulders. and
apeiike arms afforded ample identifi.
cation for Crewe. followed closely
Neither one uttered a sound.
They turned swiftly toward the
head Of the stairs and made good
their escape.
Not until Crcwe was reasonably
sure both men were safely outside OF
the building. did he break the silence.
We will so inside now. and try
TO find out what those two guys have
been up to. The seals have been
broken for us. and IL can size up
the characteristics Of the big duffor
who came out last. would say that
he sprung the lock back for an easy
getaway, when he went inside. aud
forgot 10 snap II off when he came
out"
And 80 II proved.
them b ythe mere turning OF the
knob.
Crewe passed from room 20 room.
carefully inspecting everything with
the help Of his electric flashlight.
Apparently. nothing had been dis.
turbed. II the small safe in one
corner OF the bedroom had been
opened. IL bore no evidences OF the
fact.
cd. half to himself. but SO that Haw.
kins could hear. and he has. OF
course, taken away the very. things
that I had been expecting to find"
who did, who beat us to II.
Crewe7" Hawkins demanded. but
Grove did not reply. Instead. he said:
Get busy. Jack"
Whit doln'?"
Force the desk. the cabinet. and
the safe: and / want you to do
half.bungling job-rnake II look like
an amateur. Get me, Jack?"
mo. l thought you didn't want TO
leave any trace OF our bein' here"
Il didn't when we talked about IT.
Now. / do; but / don't want Jack
Hawkins 10 leave his working sigma.
ture here. Get busy. and be quick
about IT,"
CONTINUED In Our Next Issue.1