The Monmouth inquirer., 1922-07-06

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"We're caught, fellersl It's the boss
and he's got the drop on us!"
The boss promptly strcde into the
inner room, his weapon very much in
evidence.
Hands up!" he commanded crisply.
Two men who had been kneeling by
the safe leaped to their feet with
hands raised obediently. They looked
into the barrel of business-like re-
volver and past that into the steady
eyes of the man who held It,
"You rascal" shouted Craig at his
squirming gentlemen's gentleman.
"Get their guns, or I'll shoot you'll"
Cooley meekly obeyed.
Cooley. lock that door!" he COM
manded.
Mike again obeyed, tremblingly.
Rutherford put his revolver back In.
TO his pocket. With his eyes still fas-
tened upon the men, he stepped back.
ward and took down from the wall o
long, slim and exceedingly pointed
rapier. This he swished through the
air a few times with the ease OF an &C
complished fencer.
Still testing the blade he turned his
attention to the stocky man; 1t was
the same fellow who had tried to wrest
the buckle away from its wearer on
shipboard.
'What is your manner" he asked.
"John Meyer" the man answered
sullenly.
"Now, gentlemen, off with your
coats!" Craig instructed.
The men looked scared, but they
made no move to obey.
Every well then, shall not insist.
But am afraid you will find your
coats cumbersome before we are
through. Have either of you gentle
men ever heard of what Is called the
'setting-up' exercise?
tits great for the liver, and good for
the heart" Craig continued. "But be-
fore we begin I'd like to know the
name Of the man who employs you to
bother defenseless women, and enter
cabins and apartments In their owners
absence"
Like a fash Craig was at them. His
rapier swished dangerously close to
their ears. The point of it touched one
of them upon the knee.
"Down on your haunches!" he COM
manded.
They minded with surprising swift
ness.
"Now up!" he ordered. 'T tell you.
it's the finest exercise ever invented.
Now down! Now up, now down, now
up, now down again
At the end Of five minutes Mr.. Meyer
rolled painting back against the safe.
"Now tell me, Mr.. Meyer, are you
still after that necklace?"
Nope. that never was our game,
said the man.
"Then what?" asked Craig in some
surprise.
"A blue buckle" was the reply.
ssWhy did you want that?"
'Dunno." The man shook his head.
"orders Is orders!"
"One thing more, then. must know
the mamie of the person who sent you
after it."
''It was Miss Arany wants it-but l
don't know what for. All / know Is,
she's free with money"
Nov get out, both Of you!"
Feeling much more himself than he
had felt all that day. Rutherford sailed
forth about dusk for brisk stroll.
Across Madison square he walked
striking Fifth avenue at the F1atirou
Building, and following that brilliantly
lighted thoroughfare down toward the
spot where the white curve OF Wash
ingtQn Arch marked the end of the
old fashionable section.
Tonight. however. before he reached
the Arch, he turned at right angles
down q side street. Through old West
Tenth street he proceeded. impelled By
something to which he gave no name
but acknowledged, nevertheless.
Presently he reached the house thai
he had entered with the supposed Mrs
Talcott 1t was dark.
suddenly the door OF the house
opened. and girl wrapped in gray
ulster. and with . little close hal
drawn down over her hair, came dowr
the steps. He had seen the cloak tos
often not to recognize It. The blue
buckle had dangled from 1t, after tn,
attack on booard the Gothic.
The girl walked quickly to the stree
lamp he had just passed. There was ,
mail-bcx there, and she was evidentl,
mailing letter. He followed hel
! quietly until she had stopped at tn,
box.
May mail 1t for you, Miss Ballan
tyne?" he asked. lifting his hat.
i The girl gave = little cry of sur
| prise.
Why, Mr.. Rutherford. how you
etartasa @els Thea With 4 touch Q
ss@