Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-07-05
CHAPTER XII.
In Which the Last Round Takes Place.
ONE.
ONE E..

became apparent. Certain other prep
arations in honor Of Peterson's arrival
were duly carried out, and then arose
the question of the safe In which the
all-important ledger was kept.
"There 1t is;". ..said Drummond, point
ing to heavy steel door flush with the
wall, on the opposite, side of the room
Il. the big one containing Lakington's
il-gotten treasure. "And 1t doesn't
seem to me that you're going to open
that one by pressing any buttons in
the wall"
.Then, Captain" drawled the Amer
icari, II guess we'll open it otherwise.
It's sure plumb easy. I've been get
ting gay with some of. the household
effects, and this bar Of soap sort OF.
caught my. ever ~
From his pocket he produced some
ordinary yellow soap, and the others
glanced at him curiously.
"Tll just give you little demonstra-
tion," he continued, "of how our swell
crackSlnen over the water open safes
lll0 nave pCSu SO tUSLiS'1o
as to remove. the keys,
Dexterously he proceeded to seal up
every crack in the safe door with the
soap leaving Il small gap at the top
unsealed. Then round that gap he
built what was to all intcnts and pur-
poses soap dam.
IF any Of you boys" he remarked
to the intent group around him, think
Of taking this up AS q means Of lireli-
hood, be careful Of this stuff" From
another pocket he produced an india
rubber bottle. "Don't crop It on the
floor unless you want TO be measured
for your coffin. Thercll just be a boot
and some bits to bury
The group faded away, and the
American laughed.
"MighryI task what It is?F' murrnured
Hugh politely from the neighborhuod
Of the door.
"Surc thing, Captain" returned the
detective, carefully pouring some Of
the liquid into the soap dam. ",lilat Is
what l told you I'd got-gclignitc; or
as the boys call it, the oil. 1t runs
right round the cracks Of the door in
side the soap" He added little more,
and carefully replaced the stopper.
"Now. dctonator and IL bit of fuse,
and l guess we'll leave the ROOM
"It reminds one of those dreadful
barbarians, the sappers, trying to blow
up things" remarked Toby. stepping
with some agility into the garden; and
q moment or two later the American
joined them.
at may be necessary to do it again, "
he announced, and as he spoke the
sound Of Il dull explosion came from
insislr the house. son the other hand"
lie continued going back into the room
and quietly pulling the safe door open,
eit may MT. There's your book, Cap.
tain"
He calmly relit his cigar, as if safe
opening was the most normal under
taking, and Drummond lifted out the
heavy ledger and placed it on the tn
hle.
SEQ out in relays, hoys," he saiG to
the group OF men by the door, land
get yonr breakfasts. Tn going to be
busy for Il hit
IIe sat down at the table and began
TO turn the pages. The American was
amusing himself with the faxed Chi
ncs;" cabinet; Toby and Peter sDrawled
In. Two chairs. unnslillncdly snoring.
And after Il while the detective put
down the cabinet and, coming over,
sat at nrummonds side.
Every page contained an entry
sometimes half q loZen-Of the same
type. and as the immensely OF the
project tlnwncd OIL the TWO men their
faces grew serious.
81 told you he was big man. Cap
TAIN" remarked the American, leaning
back In his chair and looking ut the
Opcn buo! through llalf-cSnScd eyes.
zone can only hope TO Heaven that
we're in time." returned Hugh. "D-n
il. man lie exploded. "surely the po'
lice must know Uf this :"
The American claSel his eyes still
more. G.
your English police know most
THINGS" he Grawled. "but you've .sorl
Of got some peculiar laws In youl
country. With us. if we don't like &
lnal-SumptLins happens. He kind o
ceases 10 sit up AMI take nnuriSlln"it
Ii,It oyer here. the more scurrilous lie
is. Tie mure he talks bloUlSllrd and
riot, tie more conStablc$ DOES he get to
guard linn from catching cold.
The soldier fruwned.
"Lnok al this rmr% here" he grunted
"'I'lat hligltpr is Il member of imrila
imrnt. What's he getting four payments
IF thousand pounds for:
'Why. surely ~ huy some nice warn
umGrrrl"illr$ WITH" grinnrd tile dci"c
tive. Then lc leaned forward ant
glanced ut the name" Put isn't h'
some puL-.in.-ul!t.. Of your big trade
uniu!lS?%:
Heaven: knows" grunted Hugh. :"
al hI.t