The Washington herald., 1921-02-20

- department; the other halI
belongs behind the business counter
OF newspaper ONCE.
One afternoon two weeks after
Millionaire Norcross was found in
his apartment murdered by a bur-
glar. the murderer, while stroIling
serenely down Broadway, ran plump
against Detective Barney Woods.
is that you, Johnny Kernan?"
asked Woods, who had been near
sighted in public for rye years.
No less" cried Herman, heartily,
it'lf 1t isn't Barney Woods, late and
early of old Saint 10! You'll have
to show me! What are you doing
East? Do the green-goods clCcu-
lars get out that far?"
/ I've been in New York some
years" said Woods. I'm on the
city detective force"
We'll. well!r said Kerndn. breath
ing smiling joy and pattlng the de-
tective's arm.
Come into Mullers." said Woods
and let's hunt a quiet table. Id
like to talk to you awhile"
1t lacked a few minutes to the
hour of 4. The tides of trade were
not yet loosed, and they found a
quiet corner OF the cafe Herman
well dressed, slightly staggering,
self-confident. seated himself oppo-
site the little detective, with his
pale. sandy moustache. squirting
eyes and ready-made cheviot suit.
What business are you in now?"
asked Woods. You know you left
Saint 10 year before I did"
I'm selling shares in a copper
! mine" said Herman. "I NAV es-
tablish an office here. We'll, well!
and so old Barney is a New York
detective You always, had turn
that way. You were on tine police
in Saint 10 after left there, weren't
you?"
six months" said Woods. And
now there's one more question,
Johnny. I've followed your record
pretty close ever since you did that
hotel job in Saratoga, and l never
knew you to use your gun before.
Why did you kill Norcross?'
Kerndn stared for a few moments
with concentrated attention at the
slice of lemon in the high ball; and
then he looked at the detective with
a sudden, Crooke brilliant smile
How did you guess it, Barney"
he asked. admiringly. Il swear
thought the job was as clean and
as smooth as a peeled onion. Did
leave a string hanging out any
where"
Woods laid upon the table a small
gold pencil intended for a watch
charm.
It's the one I gave you the last
Christmas we were in Saint 10. I've
got your shaving mug yet ] found
this under a corner of the rug in
Norcross's room. I warn you to be
careful what you say. I've got it
put on to you, Johnny. We were
old friends once, but must do my
duty. Youll have to go to the chair
for NOrcross."
Herman laughed.
My luck stays with me" said he.
who'd have thought old Barney
was on my trail" He slipped one
hand inside his coat. In an instant
Woods had a revolver against his
side
Put it away" said Herman,
wrinkling his nose. I'm only in
|, vestigating. Aha. 1t takes nine
tailors to make a man, but one can
do a man up There's a hole in that
vest pocket. | took that pencil of
my chain and slipped it in there in
case of a scrap. ut up your gun.
Barney. and Ill tell you why I had
to shoot NorCross. The old fool
started down the hall after me,
popping at the buttons on the back
of my coat with a peevish little 90
and ! had to stop him. The old
lady was darling. She just lay in
bed and saw her $4,000 diamond
necklace go without a chirp, while
she begged like a panhandler to
Rave back a little thin gold ring
with a garnet worth about SO. I
guess she married old Norcross for
his money, all right. Don't they
hang on to the little trinkcts from
the Man Who Lost Out. though?
There were six rings, two brooches
and a chatelaine watch. Fifteen
thousand would cover the lot"
81 warned you not to talk" said
Woods.
"Oh. that's all right" said ker-
nan. The stuff is in my suit case
at the hotel And now I'll tell you
why I'm talking. Because it's safe.
I'm talking to a man I know You
owe me a. thousand dollars, Barney
Woods, and even if you wanted to
arrest me your hand wouldn't make
the move"
Il haven't forgotten" said
Woods. ''You counted out twenty
fiftics without a word. I'll pay it
back some day. That thousand
saved me and well, they wera
piling my furniture out on tn,
, sidewalk when ! got back to the
house"
And So" continued Herman. you
being Barney Woods, born as true
as steel, and bound to play white
mans game. can't lift, a finger to
arrest the man you're indebted to.
Oh, l have to study men as well as
Yale locks and window fastenings
in my business. Now. keep quiet
while l ring for the waiter. I've
had a thirst for a year or two that
worries me a little. If I'm ever
caught the lucky sleuth will have
to divide honors with old boy
Booze. But l never drink during
business hours. After a job 1 can
crook elbows with my old friend
Barney with clear conscience.
What are you takfng?"
The waiter came with the little
decanters and 'the siphon and left
them alone again.
you've called the turn" said
Woods. as he rolled the little gold
pencil about with a thoughtful fore
finger. 1--WE got to pass you up.
1 can't lay a hand on you. If I'd
a-paid that money back-but j
didn't, and that settles it. It's a
bad break I'm making. Johnny, but
can't dodge it. You helped me
once. and it calls for the same"
Il knew it," said Herman, rails
ing his glass, with a flushed smile
of self appreciation. 81 can judge
men. Here's to Barney, for-he's
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