Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-08
CHAPTER XXI
The Mask Of the Red Bandanna

-, 1t had come by special delivery, an
ill:written little note scrawled on cheap
ruled paper torn from tablet.
"lf you want to know who killed
Cunningham can tell you. Meet me at
the Denmark Building, room 40, Mt
eleven tonight. Come alone.
"ONE WHO KNOWS"
Kirby studied the invitation care
fully. Was it genuine?' Or was 1t a
plant? He was no handwriting ex-
pert. but he had feeling that it was
disguised script. There is an mimi
table lOOseness of design in the chirog-
raphy of an illiterate person. lie did
not find here the awkwardness of the
ton Of an amateur ignoramus. Yet he
was not sure. He could give no def
mite reason for this fancy. ~.
And in the end he tossed it overheard.
He would keep the appointment and see
what came of 1t. Moreover. he would
keep it alone-except for friend hang
ing under the left arm at his side.
Kirby had brought no revolver with him
to Denver. Occasionally he carried one
on the range to frighten coyotes and to
kill rattlers. But he knew where he
could borrow one, and he proceeded to
do so.
Not that there was any danger in
meeting the unknown correspondent.
Kirby did not admit that for mo.
ment. There are people so constituted
that they revel in the mysterious. They
wrap their most common actions In
hints Of reserve and weighty silence.
Perhaps this man was one OF them.
There was no danger whatever. Nobody
had any reason to wish him serious i'll.
Yet Kirby took 40 with him when
he set out for the Denmark Building.
He did it because that strange sixth
sense of his had warned him to do so.
During the day he had examined the
setting for the nights adventure. He
had been to the Denmark Building and
scanned it inside and out. He had gone
up to the fourth floor and looked at tho
exterior Of Room 419. The Office door
had printed on it this design:
THE GOLD HILL MILLING AND
MINING COMPANY.
But when Kirby tried the door he found
1t locked.
The Denmark Building Is a little out
of the heart of the Denver business dis
trict. 1t was built far uptown Mt n
time when real estate was booming.
Adjoining it Is the Rockford Building.
The two dominate Il neighborhOod of
squat two story stores and rOOming-
houses. In dull seasons the Offices In
the two big landmarks are not always
filled with tenants.
The elevators In the Denmark had
ceased running hours since. Kirby took
the narrow stairs which wound round
the elevator shaft. He trOd the iron
treads very slowly. very softly. He had
no wish to advertise his presence. If
there was to be any explosive surprise,
he did not want to be ut the receiving
end of 1t.
He reached the second story, crossed
the landing. and began the next flight.
The place was dark as midnight pit.
At the third floor its blackness was re.
lievcd slightly by ray of light from
q transOm far down the corridor.
Kirby waited to listen. He heard no
faintest sound to break the stiffness.
Again his foot found the lowest tread
and he crept upVard. In the daytime
he had laughed 1t the caution which
had led him to borrow weapon from
nm acquaintance ut the stOckyards. But
now every sense shouted danger. He
would not 60 back, but each forward
step was taken with infinite care.
And his care availed him nothing. A
lifted foot struck an empty soap box
with a clatter to wake the seven sleep
srs. Instantly he knew 1t had been put
there for him to stumble over. A
strong searhlight flooded the stairs and
locused on him. lie caught noinentary