Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1922-01-11
CHAPTER XII.
In Which the Last Round Takes Place.
ONE.

It was during the next hour or two
that the full value of Mr.. Jerome K
Green as an acquisition to the party
became apparent. Certain other prep
arations in honor of Petersons arrival
were duly carried out, and then arose
the question of the safe in which the
all-impoftant ledger was kept.
There it is said Drummond point
ing to heavy steel door flush with the
wall, on the opposite side of the room
to the big one containing LakingtOns
ill-g0tten treasure. "And it 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
lean, 81 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 eye"
From his pocket he produced some
ordinary yellow soap. and the others
glanced at him curiously
"I'll just give you little demonstra-
tiOn," he continued, ''Of how our swell
cra cksmen over the water open safes
when the owners have been so tactless
as to remove the keys"
Dexterously he proceeded to seal up
every crack in the safe door with the
soap, leaving a small gap at the top
unSealed. Then round that gap he
built what was to all intents and pur-
poses a soap dam
"lf any of you boys" he remarked
TO the intent group around him, ''think
OF taking this up as means of liveli-
hood, be careful of this stuff" From
another pocket he produced an india
rubber bottle Don't drop it on the
floor unless you want to be measured
for your coffin. There'll just be a boot
and some bits 70 bury"
The group faded away, and the
American laughed
Might ask what 1t is?" murmured
Hugh politely from the neighborhood
of the door.
"Sure thing, Captain" returned the
detective, carefully pouring some Of
the liquid into the soap dam. 'That is
what l told you I'd got-gelignite or,
as the boys call 1t. the oil. 1t runs
right round the cracks of the door in
side the soap" He added a little more,
and carefully replaced the stopper.
Now, a detonator and a bit of fuse,
and | guess we'll leave the ROOM"
ut reminds one of those dreadful
barbarians, the sappers, trying to blow
up things" remarked Toby, stepping
with some agility into the garden; and
a moment or two later the American
joined them.
sit may be necessary to do it again,
Ire announced, and as he spoke the
sound of dull explosion came from
inside the house. ''On the other hand"
he continued, going back into the room
and quietly pulling the safe door open,
'it may not. 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 ta-
BILE
'Go out in relays, boys" he saiG to
the group of men by the door. "and
get your breakfasts. Tn going to be
busy for a Bit
He sat down at the table and began
to turn the pages. The American was
amusing himself with the faxed Chi
nese cabinet; Toby and Peter sprawled
In two chairs, unashamedly snoring
And after a while the detective put
down the cabinet and, coming over,
sat at Drunmond's side.
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