Evening star., 1921-08-29
ut against him." remarked Nc

made out against him." remarked Nc
Carly.
"Only it fell down fiat. We found
that taxi driver yesterday afternoon;
the one with the Scared face. who
drove Alexander home from Column
bus Circle. He substantiates his
story all right, and Terhune is hiding
his sulks behind his usual calmly
superior air. I saw him last night
and he fntimated that he had some
thing fresh up his sleeve"
We'll, SO have we." Mccarty
smiled. Were not at a standstill
yet. sir"
There's nothing up my sleeve but
my arm" the inspector admitted
frankly. Every suspect We get m
Have you doped out anything since
yesterday"
II lost good nights sleep over it,
Sir. but may be twas not wasted after
ALL. McCarty drew chair up to the
desk and seated himself II was that
twisted and turned in the case that /
went back to first principles and
thought over everything in my mind
from the minute l saw that Bodansky
lad skulking along ahead of me on
| the the avenue; and l got an idea. What
"Bodansky?" The inspector looked
across at his colleague in surprise.
Hes up in the precinct station house
waiting to be charged with attempted
burglary"
"Win you send for him. sir? I'll ex-
plain while he's on the way down. I
want to ask him a few questions along
different line than we took with him
before
Inspector Druet pressed the buzzer
In his desk and when his subordinate
appeared. briefly gave the order. Then
as the door closed once more he sat
back in his chair.
Go on. What's the idea? Don't
try to have him charged, Mac, with a
time the press will howl for my Off
cial head"
They've howled for it more than
once before. sir, but it hasn't fallen
YETI" McCarty grinned affectionately
at his chief. and then his face grew
charge whatever against the young
crook. but instead. with your permis-
sion, Pm going to tell him We'll let
him down as easy as we can IL he'll
come across with a little fnforma-
tton."
Information ?" the inspector re-
peated with raised eyebrows. Didn't
I have him on the carpet down here
for three hours on Friday? Your own
statement proves that he couldn't
| the minute he found the body"
Yes. but why did he pick on the
Creveling house in the first place.?
McCarty asked suddenly. "He was not
just sauntering along looking for a
| likely lay when 1 saw him first; he
| was on the job and knew where he
was going: you can bet on that: He
| said it was his first trick and he only
tried to turn 1t to prove to the rest
Of the gang that he was all there. but
sir. that the yellowest crook will keen
faith with his bunch if he's got the
| fear of God in him.
What do you mean?" the inspector
asked. You don't think he was
working alone them"
| wandering along the avenue looking
for the first open window to crawl
| through! 1 don't say he was working
under orders, but he'd either been
tipped off or else he'd found out there
were valuables in the house and it is
not any too well guarded just now
Something steered him toward Grew
cling: sir. and I'm going to have it out
Of him.
| But when Bodansky was brought
in he did not at first find the matter
| as simple as he had anticipated.
Look here. Joe, 1 suppose you
know you're In for a stretch?" Nc
Carly began impressively when q
glance from Inspector Druet put the
Interrogation into his hands.
bOQdHsky SEfuieu ioOiiShiy' ooe tiie
jgleam of shrewdness fingered in his
II amt done nottin." he averred
doggedly Course I had de gat an
de jack an de keys on me, but it's a
foist offense. barrin' dat stretch in dt
reform .ory an I'll get off light"
What makes you think soT' de.
manded McCarty. do you suppose
your gang would bother to have an.
wires. pulled to get you off. you poor
little runt of a white-iivered piker
That Lexington avenue gang of cheaI
crooks have only been kidding yoI
if you think they stand in with the
ward boss. let alone anybody higher
lup."
I Continued in Tomorrow's Star)