Evening star., 1923-11-18

detective bureau Of their triumph Bv
the time that important police Of
f1cials had finally yielded to the mr.
gent messages sent to them by the
prisoner and had consented to see
him, extra editions were upon tho
| street proclaming to an applaudine
public that the Dayless robber had
been captured. and that he professed
to be James Pelham OF the Tryon
Detective Agency.
And when released, Pelham sped.
in a police automobile, to the address
| on West End avenue. he found that
a hurried exodus had been achieved
fifteen minutes earlier blythe tenants
of the apartment on the second floor
And the description which the apart
men house employees gave him of
one of those tenants fitted the GRAY
Ghost perfectly.
I'm sorry, Jerry" said Pelham, a
! little later in the day. Here's what
4 happened. The Gray Ghost had
written that he would make no effort
to rob Dayless. 1 knew, from a hint
dropped by one of the Gray Ghosts
4
degree put them through that Lewis
was acting as fence for the disposal
of much of the Gray Ghosts plunder.
decided that If I robbed Dayless and
| showed the result to Lewis he would
at once ask the Gray Ghosts advice
| that Lewis could lead me to his hid
ing place.
| You see, when you left me that
Sunday we talked about my going To
Palm Beach, l saw two people. One
of them was my cousin. Freddie
Thurlow. He looks something Ike
me, so took the chance that there'd
who knew either of US.
Then 1 went to Dayless. l told
him frankly what fool he'd made of
himself by his interview, and ex-
planned TO him my plan. He's a
roughneck, but a regular fellow, just
the same. In fact, he insisted that I
actually chioroform him so that there'd
not be suspicion aroused in the
minds of the servants or detectives
! around the place. He went through
with it like the good sport that he is.
| And then you, confound your ugly
face-
1T wasn't me-" said Jerry ungram-
r matically. It's just that you didn't
give due credit to our men. You see.
I'd issued orders. after all that pub
licity, that if Dayless was robbed Id
, fire the whole staff. And so every
: man in our employ was combing the
city. 1t happened that a taxi man
had seen the number of the car that
waited for you in Central Park. The
driver of that car told of leaving you
: outside a hotel The starter happened
. to notice you. oh, the boys had luck.
but even SO it was slick work. If only
you'd told me that you were doing
why didn't YOU telephone 1he minute
tyou saw where Lewis clerk went"
Il wanted 70 be certain: I'd only
; suspicious. ! intended waiting until
! afternoon. then calling again upon
Lewis. making sure that he really did
deal with the Gray Ghost"
But why the deuce" demanded
Jerry in evaporation. didn't you tell
me what you planned to do?"
Pelham grinned fecbly. Hang it
l all, Jerry, you We're 50 Qcdu sure tndL
was on the verge of nervous
breakdown that | couldn't stand the
gaff any longer. l wanted to show
Iyou how wrong you were
Much obliged" said Jerry dryly.
Then he relented. It's all right AIr.
Pelham, only don't think you ought
: to forget again that we are partners. :
: "I won't" promised Pelham humbly.
Jerry sighed. "A fine laugh the
> Gray Ghost is having at us. and the
whole city is joining in with him."
Pelham flushed. He laughs best
who laughs last" he reminded Tryon.
I've heard that before" grunted
Jerry. But 1 think I'm getting u
permanently cracked lip"
Copyright. 1921