San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-08-19
THE VOICE ON THE TELEPHONE.
Which Gray Ghost mgst Criminals Demonstrates Truth he Old Ags Sa Ihdb Caa Thief

@.NNhNN1 O~s>s NAyOiAs
the consulting partner of the head OF
the Tryon Detective Agency, looked
quizzically across the table.
"You are acquainted with the habits
Of the animal you mention, Jerry!"
Pelham asked mischievously.
Enough" said Jerry loudly, ITO
know that you can't tell 'em by their
ears. You can't always tell 'em by
their bray. Sometimes they put on
pants and boiled shirts, and get into
restaurants like this. and try to listen
to conversation not meant for them
His voice rose with each syllable
"a gentleman at an adjoining table
flushed. For a moment he tried to
meet the fiery glance of the ex-lieu-
tenant of police. Then he looked quick
ly away.
Pelham grinned. The eavesdropper,
rebuked by Jerry's innuendo, signaled
his waiter and asked for his check.
After all, jerry" Pelham said
chidingly when the recipient of Jerry's
rebuke had departed, you're famous
man."
Famous! There amt chance ir
the world of you and me ever getting
famous with the Gray Ghost at large,
growled Jerry. anyhow, hate
nosy folks"
Pelham chuckled. Imagine a dc.
tective making that remark"
"WeD wore nosy in the line OF
business" said Jerry defensively.
"And in another minute We'll be
deep in the discussion of business"
said Pelham. "And digestion is ruinec
by too much thought"
But not until they had finished their
dinner and were parting. on a nearb,
corner. did Jerry again refer to any
thing bearing even remotely upon bust
ness. Then his bushy brows wrinkled
Suppose that nosy guy was somebody
sent by the Gray GhostT he suggest
ed.
Pelham shook his head. 'The Gras
Ghost knows that you and don't dis
cuss business in public. Jerry"
Jerry shrugged his thick shoulders.
Guess you're right, Mr.. Pelham. That
fellow kinda got my goat, 1 guess"
- Pelnham slapped his coadjutor on
the back. go home and sleep off that
Crouch, Jerry" he laughingly advised
IL He was still smiling as he let him
8elf into his apartment. Good old
Terry! s4ss.s f-
Il Presently,SinI dressing gown AMI
slippers. and seated in a deep arm
chair. he stared at the fire which
Dickinson. his man of all work, had
lighted against his return.
As he thought of that archcriminal
who defied society, and preyed upon
1t, his lips hardened, and his eyes
matched the glow of the flames in the
fireplace.
But worry would get him nowhere.
He dropped his cigarette upon an ash
receiver, and, leaning back farther in
his comfortable chair, closed his eyes
Dickinson awakened him. Hate to
wake you, boss" said the former
Maine guide, "but Mr.. Tryon's on the
telsphone-long distance-and says he
must talk to you"
Pelham crossed the room and wa:
speaking into the phone. Dickinson
heard his tones of mild surprise
change to excitement. There was q
rapid-fire exchange of questions and
answers. and then Pelham hung up
He turned to Dickinson.
"You heard what I've been saying?'
"Mr. Tyron's out in the country
near Portchester. on the Gray Ghosts
trail, and wants you." replied Dicken
son.
Get the roadster and bring II
around while I'm DRESSING" ordered
Pelham.
I'm going with you," stated Dick
enson. There was a flat finality in
tone.
- Pelham chuckled. "You bet your life
you are" he agreed. "Hustle!"
When Dickinson returned, at th'
wheel of a speedy-looking two-passen.
ger car, Pelham was waiting impati.
entity on the sidewalk outside his
apartment house.
Pelham climbed into the seat beside
Dickinson. "Shoot over to Riverside
Drive" he said. 'Tryon is waiting
for MS somewhere between White
Plains and Portchester; we'll make il
quicker that way
D;ckenson slipped in the clutch, anc
the machine started. There was little
conversation during the next 40 min
utes. Once Dickinson asked, "Wh,
did Mr.. Tryon start off on stunt
like this without telling you that he
was going" he demanded.
said he was afraid that he was OF
blind lead, and didn't want to bottle
me needlessly." explained Pelham.
Dickinson frowned. Don't sount
sensible to me-" he argued. "And il
don't seem any too sane him tellins
you not to bring anyone with you"
Kings could not have bought tbs
services of Slim Dickinson unless hs
liked them. He was more than a ser