The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-11-24

stepped back and leaned out
through he broken window; three
stories soelow, on q graveled roof, lay
something black, huddled up gro
tesluely, which i knew was a human
body. crushed helpless, its bones
broken. 1 drew back from the grue-
some sight, so sickened I reeled dizzl-
~, clutching ut the sill for support.
AS clung there, uncertain, daZed.
my mind for the moment blank,
some one began rattling and pounding
against the door leading into the cor
ridor.
l crossed the room, my limbs trem-
bling so l 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 I threw the
door oper and faced them almost cool
ly. There were four policemen, the
first a gray-mustached sergeant, re-
volver in hand, and behind these q
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
up mere! Have you killed somebody?"
NO." I answered.. making no effort
to break away, still breathing hard,
Dut able to express myself clearly.
There Is man dead. but he fell from
window. l have nothing to CONCEAL,
sergeant. My name is Severn, and l
am connected with the United States
consular service. Give me a chance
and I'll hand you my card"
He must have been impressed by the
way l acted and spoke, for he released
his grasp and accepted the card
hshed 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 friend Of Clement Brecken-
ridge-is that right?"
why, yes" In surprise. "I have
known him for some years."
II thought so; ! don't forget a 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. He seemed very friendly. Well,
now. Mr.. Severn, what's been takin
place in here2 Some hot fight, hain't
thereT
His tone wis friendly enough, and
1t was quite evident that my acquaint-
ance with the banker had already
given me new standing.
10, hn
and robbery" I said directly; zone of
the men Is dead, the other lies in
there senseless, while the money they
were after Is there also In a valise
untouched"
Good God! What money!"
$50 you didn't know about that,
even, Well, I'll tell you. Captain
Aiva was killed 10 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?"
II 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 still alive and was
going to share In the sDoils. You
know him, I 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 overhear them discussing q divi-
sion OF the spOils. The two quarreled,
during which Wine was forced out
through the window. Then got the
best of Waldron, just as you fellows
tried to break in"
The sergeant looked about, plainly
puzzled.
81 guess your word ought to be
good, Mr.. Severn" he admitted. "Seein'
as who you are. You live in Wash
ingtonT
"Yes-officially my home is in
Ohio"
"Where yer stopping heref- n
/ told him, naming the hotel NJ
which I was registered.
"All right, then. I'll look around a
bit; Morris, run down and call the
patrol; have 'em get that body down
ont Of there first when they come;
Kelly. you stay here, with Halsey at
the door,"
l followed him and the fourth officer
into the inner Office. 1t was q wreck,
but the sergeant took the scene I'm at a
glance and picked his way across to
the shattered window. The policeman
bent over the outstretched figure of
Waldron.
'How Is the cuss, CARR"
Alive, all right, but got HI of
crack On the COCO"
Give him a glass Of water In the
face. Is this the grip you was telling
me about, Mr.. SevernY'
"Yes; It's locked, but supposed to
be full Of yellQybacks."
He pulled IT forth from beneath the
grasp Of Waldron's arm.
"All right; TIL see It safe ont o.