Evening star., 1921-07-10

an outpost. Yet there was chance
that the man was one Of the neighoor's s
multitude Of derelicts-a purveyor. pos
sibly. Of valuable information.
Come here. my friend" he called.
How long have you been loafing In
that corner?"
'Who the devil are your" said the
other.
Garth held out some money. The
clawlIke hand extended itself. closing
man rang three Of the pieces on the
Seems good" he said. in his dim
cult voice. 'Tf you want to know that
bad. maybe an hour; maybe more;
mapping Nothing bette better to d. but I'm I'm
chance
IAN automobile drove up here" Garth
why, SO it did. I seen 1t with these
back. Sssy pesDer'-n0s a quarter of an hour
How many got out of it? What did
."f seen two men and woman" the
other answered. "They lifted that cellar
door and went down. Now I wondered
why they did that"
Ibid the woman make fightT -i1-
The other shook his head.
Went like 1t was Q candy store"
Cutting across his throaty accents. a
feminine cry shrilled. The heavy doors
could not mufie its terror. Suddenly
to one side. urged by a temper that no
longer permitted calculation.
Beyond the doors of the saloon he
faced the proprietor across unoccupied
tables. He remembered the round, ivid
face beneath its crown of reddish hair.
He had seen it more than once. sullen
and unashamed, behind the bars at
headquarters. The mans past history
made a connection between him and
Sims party nearly inevitable. But
Garth had no choice. The proprietor, at
his entrance. had braced his elbows
against the bar.
II amt done q thing. Mr.. Garth. I
thing to bring a bull hero except near
beer and tobaocy."
Wen see. Papa Marlowe." Garth
said evenly. I'm going into the cell
lar of the warehouse next door. Dol
lars to dimes there's q way through
bination quietly?"
NOV" NOV who s'!s tS1s :y:. you there was a door
"Never mind" Garth snapped. It'll
take all the chances and use It. but at
q sound from you-you understand?
Marlowe slouched down the stairs.
Garth ordered him ahead while he
pressed the control Of his pocket lamp.
They continued between grim walls.
splashed with mold. beaded with mois-
Don't OPEN" Garth whispered. Let
me get my fingers on the latch. don't
trust you. papa" he said, but II you
want to make yourself solid at head
quarters find a policeman and tell him
what I'm up against"
The cops and I seem hand and glove
these days. What are you up against,
Mr.. Garth? What you want in that
empty cellar?"
Garth waved him away. watched him
retreat toward the stairs. squirting his
beady eyes. mouthing unintelligibly.
The aSss 4" ,scsg snapped ID. of his light
ment. He opened the door and stepped
into the black pail Of the warehouse
cellar. He held his revolver ready. He
moved to one side and paused. He re-
allied it was not unlikely that the
men might have led Nora into it as a
trick to confuse the police. Nora's cry
might have marked their departure by
some ingeniously contrived exit. He
must find that exit and continue his
pursuit. He stepped forward.
Light flashed. and from the sudden
sparkling confusion a remembered laugh
jeered at him.
Four shadowy figures stood In front
Of him, holding flashlights. Behind the
binding barrier he could mako out Nora,
crouched against q stained and rugged
wall. And the brute. George. was at her
side. his muscular hands on her arms.
Slim stepped out Of the obscurity, NOV
ing for Garth with q stealth and an
evenness nearly catlike.
Garth raised his revolver, strength
ened by the knowledge that the in
spector with many mon would soon be
tearing through the cellar doors. II only
he could postpone the issue for him.
self-fght for time until that saving
moment! There lay Nora's best chance.
couldn't account for the horror in her
customarily expressionless face.
"It's no use." she screamed. "Get
back. Jim! Quick! Through the doorr'
"You'll stick hero. Garth" came the
smooth tones. "And you nights well
'"That MEANS" said George. drop
your gun. For any little damage you
do here Nora'll foot tho bill"
Lets see how you enjoy your own
jewelry. Garth"
And he reached in 0arth's pocket and
drew out the pair Of handcuffs he had
them on the detectives wrists. The
four confederates lounged forward. pro-
duced stout cords. and bound them
about Garths ankles. His momsntary
resistance was smothered by Nora's
sharp cry:
Don't fight. Jim!'
His sense Of utter helplessness in
creased, while the men. in obedience
to Sims gestures, stretched him on
the floor.
"Thanks for walking into our parlor.
you fly cop." said Slim. I'VE heard how
you and the skirt had fallen for each
other. We guessed II We gave you a