Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1921-09-29

sexes, peering over shoulders to gam
view within. The sergeant gripped
me by the collar. Nov, you; what's
up here? Have you killed somebody"
"No," answered, making no effort
to break away, still breathing hard,
but able to express myself clearly.
There is man dead, but he fell from
window. have nothing to conceal,
sergeant. My name is Severn, and l
am connected with the United States
consular service. Give me chance
and I'll hand YOU my card"
He must have been impressed by the
way acted and spoke, for he released
his grasp and accepted the card !
fished out of vest pocket, holding II
up to the light In order to read the
script.
"Philip Severn" he repeated slowly,
his glance wandering again to my face.
"You are a friend Of Clement Brecken-
RIDGES that right?"
"Why. yes" In surprise. II have
known him for some years"
II thought so; / don't forget face
often, but never heard your name be-
fore. / was waiting at the bank to see
Breckenridge few days ago, when
he came out with you from his private
Office. He seemed very friendly. Well,
now, Mr.. Severn, what's been takin'
place in here? Some hot fight, hain't
there?"
His tone was friendly enough. and
1t was quite evident that my acquaint-
ance with the banker had already
given me a new standing.
"This is the end Of the Alva murder
and robbery" said directly; zone Of
the men Is dead, the other lies in
there senseless, while the money they
were after is there also in valise
untouched"
"Good God! What money!"
$50 you didn't know about that,
even! Well, I'll tell you. Captain
Alva was killed to gain possession of
large sum which had been paid him
for revolutionary purposes in Chile,
These FELLOWS inside found out about
such payment having been made and
waylaid him. They had to kill him in
order to get the money"
"Who did it?"
81 am not quite sure, sergeant, but
I think Gaspar Wine committed the
murder. He plunged from window
and is lying dead down below there.
The other fellow is still alive and was
going to share in the spoils. You
know him, guess, a Russian Jew by
the name of Waldron."
'Ivan Waldron, the Red orator."
That's the man. I'll tell you the
story briefly; all that needs to be told
now. had reason to suspect these
two and hid in that closet, where
could oyerhear them discussing a divi-
sion of the spoils. The two quarreled,
during which Wine was forced out
through the window. Then l got the
best of Waldron, just as you fellows
tried to break in."
puzzled.
81 guess your word ought to be
good, Mr.. Severn" he admitted. 'Seein'
as who you are. You live in Wash
ingtonT'
Eyes officially; my home is in
Ohio"
"Where yer stopping here?" :
/ told him, naming the hotel at
which was registered. E
'All right, then. I'll look around a
bit; Morris, run down and call the
patrol; have 'em get that body down
out of there first when they come /;
Kelly, you stay here, with Halsey at
the door,"
/ followed him and the fourth officer
into the inner office. 1t was wreck,
but the sergeant took the scene In at
glance and picked his way across to
the shattered window. The policeman
bent over the outstretched figure of
Waldron.
slow is the cuss, Carr"
"Alive. all right, but got hi of
crack on the COCO"
"Giye him a glass of water in the
face. Is this the grip you was telling
me about, Mr.. Severn
"Yes; it's locked, but supposed to
be full of yellowbacks."
He pulled it forth from beneath the
grasp of Waldron's arm.
"All right; I'll see 1t safe out o.
here. guess you'll have to go along
with us. Mr.. Severn; the captain will
likely want ter ask some questions"
CHAPTER XIV