The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-13
UNSEEN HANDS
A BepiLdering DetectiUe Story
 By Robert Orr Chipperfield

entering into any traffic with this so- cial leech; and in a swift revulsion from momentary Encouragement his I se1f-confidence returned. What could Drew know which he
 might not discover himself? Why stoop to bargain with this parasite and thereby tacitly admit his inabil- | ity to solve the case unaided when |
 every opportunity lay before him
 His investigation was still only in a
 I,le1 preliminary stage, and ne e;-.1 Tesolv@d 5 | would he compromise with the man before him:
 The silence in the room had re-
 n1ained unbroEen, and Odell was so deeply engrossed in his meditation | that he had not noted the straoned | look of suspense which crept grad l | ually over the face of his host: The ! nournfuf yow1 of @ cat in the alley brought him swiftly from his reverie, and he strengthened in his chair. "You have stated the case with ad- l mirable conciseness, MT. Drew. l Granted that was blufHng and start | ing with the premise that you are not and that you really can supply the | information you claim, I see no need
 for haste in the conclusion of the bar | gain you propose. ! will at least
 guarantee that no official use will be
 made of the note until I have decided | to reject or accept your proposition" ] 'tAn arrnistice?'' Drew threw back | his head and laughed aloud, and
 some mething in the quality of his tone
 made OdeII eye him sharply: A swift | and inexpiicab1e change seemed to l have come over the man, and when i he spoke again it was with a note of irresistible amusement in his voice. 1 f'You fancy that you will not need 1 the information which I can give
 you? You mean to continue the in vestigation on your own account until
 you are assured that you are up
 against g blank wall? Very well, sergeant. I've made the offer and it
 stands open. When you decide as you ultimately must to accept my prop
 osition communicate with my man at
 the Bellemonde Annex and I will get
 in touch with you.''
 He rose and unlocking the door leading into the alley he opened it
 and stepped aside.
 We have come to an understand ing even though it may not be pro- ductive of immediate results, and the night is no longer young. I do not
 wish to appear inhospitab1e, but l fear that your body guard in front of the shop may become concerned for your safety"
 | Odeu laughed.
 An armistice then, MT. Drew He nodded in response to the others
 half-mocking bow as he passed
 convictions I may be able to struggle along without agreeing to your terms so don't count on hearing from me
 too Soon.'
 q don't!" Drew's laughter rang out once more as he closed the door,
 and the same note of exutance
 sounded in his tones as before. What could it mean? He had not achieved his ends, he had not Fegained posses
 sion of the note; and yet his manner . during the last few minutes Of th cir interview had been that of one whose purpose had triumphed.
 , The light had gone out suddenly in 1 the room behind him, even before he
 had passed the window; and as the 5 detective stumbled along in the dark
 ness of the alley he pondered upon , this latest problem of all which that , day had presented. He did not un- = derrate Drew's cleverness. The latter r had become cognizant of his surveil- s lance, and resolved to turn it to good t account; but had the possession of . the note been the real point at issue. = the motive back of that invitation to '. a conference?
 t with Genes testimony the note would e be superfluous CT at best merely cor 0 roborative evidence if any charge
 were to be brought against him, and - he must also be aware of the remote i ness of such a possibility. What then
 could have been his object in seeking l the interview
 At this juncture OdeH reached the - mouth of the alley, and his musins = was abruptly terrninted. He was f aware of a stir in the shadows; a e nuttered command and two dark 2 forms hurled themselves upon his : He struck out wildly. but his arms e were caught as in a wise and crush h Ing DfoS descended upon his head d The The ground swayed beneath him e then opened; and he slipped dowr 1T and dowE into a bottomless void L. White the shadowy figures were los e in the whirling darkness which en e coinpassed him; but his last consciou: e thought was of the smiling, mockins II man nc had left in the room with the V broken window. Farley Drew's pur if pose had been achieved.
 st The cool gurgling sound of watel
 slapping smartly and rhythmicall, Q against some obstruction directly be ,- heath him, briny, pungent tang il c the stirless air, the feeling of an in q upon his head and of rough blanket st beneath his hands-these were tn l. first sensations which assailed OdeIr r- returning consciousness.
 He opened his eyes, but closed then ,e again as quickly as a heavy step ap d, preached and a rough voice sounde, ,t in his ears
 lv 'Still dead to the world ?' r. Sure A second voice with tn C. unmistakable accent of the lowe le East Side replied to the first. "Ye " don't tinll dat rap I give him wa
 any slap on de wrist, do yer? He O. good for another days sleep, any e. how''
 UT Whats the idea of the ice bag at Dunno. De main guy ordered i of an dat lets me out. 'Fraid his 1ittI ou pet got more dan was coInin' te ar nm an was gonna crOak, I gueS II could a told him different, but ye is know how it is wid desc kid-glov ot guys; dey ain't takin' no chances O ny goin up fer de long route. Ye en boid's all right, ain't he? I hear re. him cussin' when yer took out de ga nd ter give him der eats.''
 Gro Be Continued lg, ed Dorothy Phillips and