The diamond drill., 1921-06-25

WhIskers.
aside, forgetful OF his own danger. hii
guard dropped, and let him have it,
straight In the jaw. The clenched fis
crunched into his whiskers, and, viii
arms flung up. he went over as q
shot, his head striking an edge of the
overturned bookcase as he fel. and
lay there motionless, trickle of blood
slowly oozlng out upon the floor.
I stepped back and leaned on,
through the broken window: three
stories below, on a graveled roof, lay
something black. huddled up gro
tesquely, which knew was a human
body, crushed helpless, Its bones
broken. drew back from the grue-
some sight, so sickened reeled dlzzi-
! ly. clutching at the sill for support.
AS l clung there, uncertain, dazed,
| my mind for the moment a blank.
some one began rattling and pounding
against the door leading into the cor
| ridor
crossed the room, my limbs trem-
bling so / could scarcely walk, my
breath coming In gasps. They were
kicking against the wood and pound
ing with fists. seeking to break in the
lock. The sight sobered me, brought
back my self-control and / threw the
door open and faced them almost cool
ly. There were four policemen, the
first gray-mustached sergeant, re-
volyer In hand, and behind these
jam OF excited individuals OF both
sexes, peering over shoulders TO gain
view within. The sergeant gripped
me by the collar. "Now, you; what's
mp here? Have you killed somebody
NO." l answered, making no effort
TO break away. still breathing hard,
but allie 10 express myself clearly.
There Is man dead, but he fell from
window. / have nothing to conceal.
sergeant. My name is Severn, aud i
am connected with the United States
consular service. Give me a chance
and I'll hand you my card"
lie must have been impressed by the
way | acted and spoke, for he released
his grasp and accepted the card l
fished out Of vest pocket. holding II
up to the light In order 10 read the
script
Philip Severn" he repeated slowly.
his glance wandering again 10 my face.
"You are friend OF Clement Brecken-
ridge--ls that rightT
"Why, yes" in surprise. 81 have
known him for some years"
Il thought so; don't forget face
often, but never heard your name be-
fore. was waiting at the bank TO see
breckenridge a few days ago. when
he came out With you from his private
office. lie seemed very friendly. Well,
now, Mr.. Severn, what's been takin'
place in here? Some hot fight hain't
thereT
His tone was friendly enough, and
II was quite evident that my acqualnt-
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 I'm
there senselcss. while the money they
were after Is there also in a valise
untouched"
"Good God What money!
so you didn't know about that, !
even Well, I'll tell you. Captain /
Alya was killed 70 gain possession OF \
large sum which had been paid him
for revolutionary purposes in Chile. !
These fellows inside found out about 4
such n payment having been made and /
waylaid him. They had to XIII him In (
order 10 get the money"
"Who did it7"
'I am not quite sure. sergeant, but
| think Gaspar Wine committed the
murder. He plunged from a window
and Is lying dead down below there.
The other fellow is stu alive ana was
going 70 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. III tell you the
story briefly; an that needs 10 be told
now. ] had reason 70 suspect these
two and hid Ia that closet. where
could overhear them discussing n divi. ,
Sion q the spols. The two quarrcled.
during which Wine was forced out
through The window Then | got the
best OF Waldron, just as you fellows
tried 20 break ino
The sergeant looked about. plainly
puzzled.
Il guess your word ought TO be
good Mr. Severn" he admitted. "Seeln
as who you are. You live In wash.
iugtonY
"fes-oiiicially; my home Is IN
Ohio"
Where yer stopping hereY'
told him. naming the hotel nj
which ! was registered.
" llzhh then.. III look. around a 4