New Britain herald., 1922-07-24

note lnto me hand or the other.
 The note was terse and to the point.
 Mrs. James Slocum removed fur nishings from Gotham Storage ware house to Edgecombe Road, Brookside, New Jersey, last Friday. Will take care of bill of lading tomorrow" So that chance shot had hit the mark.
 Miles locked up the house and then made his way to Scottie's room.
 Rip and I have been very busy this afternoon" began Scottie as Miles took seat.
 Ia that what you had In mind to tell me. Scottie?"
 "It is. and have had an exciting time. I'm matter of twenty dollars poorer for 1t which I shall charge to the expense account and Rip Is nurs- ing scratch on the shoulder" Scot tie closed his right hand and looked at it thoughtfuly and his companion observed for the first time that the knuckles were reddened and a trife swollen. Twas a nasty minute and a close shave for him." t+.
 You've been in a scrap" Miles ex- claimed.
 You were not attacked-?"
 No, It was me did the attacking. You see, Owen lad. I took a look at that cottage in the woods where our friend Roger had, his laboratory long ago. I caught glimpse of clear ing just ahead with blackened chim- ett tol, ~I In Of number of voices in dispute. Among them I recognized Rips and he was plainly frightened. I hurried forward and saw Rip and fellow who lowered half a head taller than he, shaking something under his nose.
 You done pass dis phony money on me yestiddy when I faded you.' he was fair shouting, and he added curse that no accorded with the Sab bath. You is gwine take 1t back and give me de real goods or I'll cyarve your heart out"
 q could see Rips face and it was as nearly white as it ever will be.
 "'Your lies don't go with me, Rip Lunt. Desc boys all see you gimme dis bill yestiddy and 1t was the onli- est twenty dollar one Tn de game. Ain't dat right, boys'
 ''The rest of them were getting ex- cited and threatening and Rip con- menced to whine and blubber when all of a sudden the big fellow went wild and then things happened quick. He crumped the bill and threw it in Rips face and with a yell reached Into his pocket and that was where I took hand in the game. l reached that big buck just as his knife streaked down across Rips shoulder and caught him on the point of the jaw that put him out for the count"
 Scottie glanced down once more af- fectionately at his clenched fist
 Rip was loud in his gratitude but out of the tail of my eye l saw hiro hunt for that bill and then turn to sneak away and l laid hold of him by the collar to wait till the Tout who had accused him woke up.
 "He sat up after bit rubbing his Jaw and started to turn ugly but l spoke to him man to man and said I'd make good for Rip if there'd been a mistake. > He told me Rip had lost the money to him in crap game Saturday and when he tried to change it he found the bill was counterfeit, l made Rip let me have look at 1t and then laughed in the big DUCK face and gave him a crisp new twenty from my wallet in exchange to sho" him what thought of it. Heres the bit of paper the row started over'
 He handed to Miles a limp, worn twenty dollar bill, one end Of "hlch had a tinge of brown and the detec- five turned it thoughtfully over in his hands.
 II wonder how Rip got it?' he remarked, What did he tell you?"
 Nothing. Not a senslole "oru could get out of him..
 wen make him come clean when we get hold of him. If the Dill IS all right he needn't be afraid- Mlles checked himself suddenly. But IS scottie? It's so old l wouldn't take an oath on it.
 "I would, lad' There was cer- tain grimness in the others tone. "You'll mind I told you l was the poorer by twenty dollars? I learned a trifle from the experts and that Dill is as phony as the brightest gold brick
 
 that was ever sold."
 CHAPTER XIII.
 It was nearly lunch time the next day when Miles glance fell upon the door plate of room at the end of the hall a room which had remained locked since his arrival and which he had once heard Carter refer to casually as MT. Rogers storeroom. He had polished that door plate only Saturday morning, but now there seemed something odd about its ap- pearance and the detective bent closer.
 The brass about the keyhole was dulled save where a tiny, jagged scratch or two glinted and there were traces upon it of congealed. greasy substance at sight of which Miles i drew a quick -involuntary breath.
 Wax, Someone within the last two days had taken an impression Of that keyhole, someone who was too care less or in too great haste to remove the evidence of the act What could Roger have stored there which would he of such interest to anybody but himself?
 Luncheon was over when the detec- tive heard the telephone rlns asaih and with a muttered excuse ne mas tened toward the library put the sound of Rogers voice in reply ar rested him before he reached the threshold.
 "Yes? This is Roger Drake speakine What is that! me receiver fell with chatter to the desk but 1t was evident that Roger