New Britain herald., 1923-10-01
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY

Not only In this city but all ovel
the country" he declared. Don
you read the newspapers? Look al
the frequent robberies on a big scale
not money and securities alone. bu,
Jewels. silks. furs. merchandise In
carload lots. How could plumber oil
that sort be disposed OF unless there
was an organization 10 manage II?
That's the Combine, and II runs the
whole show"
Ranger yielded 10 n growing con-
Nction that there was more In this
than mere imaginings or a fantastic
embroidery on a few unrelated facts,
Improbable az II seemed. there was at
least some basis for Charles revela-
tion-enoueh to 20 on.
And you think" his voice trem-
bled. that this inner eroup-this
Combine--have my daughter"
I'm certain OF H. II isn't often
they pull anything on their own ac-
count. But after that message ] re-
ceived-well. that settles IL In my
mind that this Is one of the times
they've done It."
CHAPTER vi.
Ranger reached quickly for the
telephone on his desk; but Charlie,
anticipating his action, seized it first.
80 mo, you don't!" He held the in
strument tight in both hands. II can
see your, mouth made up for Spring,
1900 as plain as II you were already
calling IT. What I've told you was
for your own information, Loring. and
not to be passed on to the police"
Rangers success in life was large
IL due to his habit of quick decision.
With scarcely a pause he reached out
ana gripped Charles hand in clasp
that told more than he could have ex-
pressed in an hours speech.
Handle IL your own way, old man.
he said heartily. I'm with you.
I'll back you with everything I've
got"
THAT will help-a little" said
Charlie dryly
4..You said a while back" he re-
marked at last, shat it looked to YOU
IbrinE, like we were up against a
blank wall. Well, we are; but there's
one opening in that wall, and It's
through the messages they'll send.
Take this hat we've been ordered to
furnish. Somebody's got to get 1t
and carry It to them. Then, If that
person is trailed and we find out
where the hat is delivered. we'll pc
getting pretty warm to the people
we're after"
The suggestion seemed to Ranger
an Immediate solution of the whole
nroblen,. and he was eager to lose no
time in putting it into execution; but
Charlie checked his enthusiasm.
mo" he advised. They'll be on
the lookout. Let one or two mes
sa.ges 70 by, though, with Just q bung-
,nr attempt to follow, and they'll pe-
rin to grow careless. That'll be our
lime TO start trailing" :,
"Bwt how do you know there will {
81 further messages?"
How do know that Christmas Is
,aninpp You don't suppose they're q
lending for that bonnet merely 10 9
ioll your daughter up, DO you! AS
told you, they'll send photograph
# her. wearing it to prove to you Una, h
he's alive and well, and then theyi
,erin to apply the screws e
,.'Demand money, do you mean a
,,it why haven't they done so nefore| p
/ Ia 4 month today since Hope as
nne. red. vet, although l have thrown &
avsef wide open to an offer, TINS h
an munication through you is the "
49, word T have received either d.
Getty or indirectly" o
"sure. They wanted to try the "
OBS and all the rest of it, and learn lS
at how tight they had you tied up. n
-ou that they think you're desperate, B
,ey're ready to do business"
His alert glance caught sight of the s.
sturning Bryan making his way to- tt
ard them through the outer office, r,
nd. without altering his attitude, he a
hanred his tone to one of querulous p'