The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-20


to the detective bureau less than six
months.
where were you going, Garth7''
''Home. That Isl thought l
might drop in on Nora for minute.
With quick gesture the inspector
brushed the mention of his daughter
aside.
"How much do you love your lief"
"On the whole I value my life
rather highly Just now" Garth an
swered, trying TO smile.
'"Then turn this down and nothing
Said." the inspector went on. tits
volunteers work. IT'S touch and go
whether whoever tackles It eats
bacon and eggs tomorrow morning"
''what's the jobf" Garth asked.
you've heard Of that fellow with
out face. This fellow Simmons in
Chicago-several years ago now.
experimenting with some new ex-
plosive In laboratory. He got his
arm up in time to save his eyes"
Seems to me remember" Garth
began.
Worn a gray mask ever since"
the inspector said.
He drew telegram from a pile
of papers at his elbow. spread 1t on
the writing-pad. and tapped 1t with
his thick forefnger.
mo doubt about your having heard
Of our friend Hennion?"
Garth started forward, resting his
closed fists on the desk top. His face
was excited, unbelieving. Garth.
with the rest of the bureau, could
point to half a dozen men as vassals
of this almost mythical figure. But
he knew also that nothing had ever
been proved against this organization
of criminals. which was unique. be-
cause, In addition to prosaic brutality.
1t appeared to be informed by brains
Of a brilliant and inscrutable char
Acter.
"How much of a chancef" Garth
asked.
All the drowsiness left the fnspec-
tors eyes.
maybe to SIT IN with them to-
night. I've never had a ghost OF
show with a stool before. and this is
the night of all nights. One OF these
crooks has been boasting. He said
and I have It straight-'Tonight we
play our ace.' Get that, GARTH What
must an ace mean to that lot, chr"
Garth breathed hard.
! ~How do you expect to throw sand
IN the eyes of that outfit7"
r. "Give me-" the inspector answered
slowly. his rumble approximating
whisper. someone with no nerves to
speak Of and O build like this face
less man Simmona- You have that
bufld. Garth. All you need is a plain
dark brown suit.
"This is Simmons's description as
he left Chicago last evening. He ex-
poets to arrive on the Western ex-
press tonight. He's looking for some
one to meet him and take him to the
headquarters of the Hennion gang"
HAS he q record7"
"A suspect. chiefly because he's
tied up with that anarchist crowd out
there-an analyst Of explosives.
chemist. cursed by this hideous acct
dent-dangerous as giant powder IT.
self That's why his mails been
watched. how they got onto this
move. But they've no details for us.
Maybe Simmons himself doesn't know
what he's up against"
With secretlve air he opened a
drawer and lifted out tightly-woven
gray cloth. It was pierced by two
holes above and long. narrow open
Ing below. From Its edges four elias
nc straps dangled.
~ had It made" he said. holding
4 out tentatively, $50 that. perhaps.
you might md out instead OF Sim
MONS"
Garth took the cloth and fitted It
over his face. It left visible a small
scar on his neck. The inspector
pointed at this with q pleased. won
dering smile.
"That scar peeping win fetch them.
Put on a brown SUIT and you'll pass"
"where," Garth asked. docs Sim
mons change cars?''
"I'll have the express stopped at
the end of the bridge above Garrison.
Not much chance of spies there. A
couple Of my men will take him of
and keep him out Of mischief while
you get on. You're on?"
"Sure. You'd Jump at the chance
yourself, SIR" He removed the mask.
The inspector handed him piece of
trayed white paper.
''Take this and. when the time
eomes, scratch your instructions on
4 with q match, toothpick. any
thing handy. 1t will stay white. but
can make whatever you put on It
- visible as headlines in war extra.
you'll reach town after ten. Ill hold
hack instructions until eleven In case
Mese fellows have any spies in the
napartment. But after that you can