Evening star., 1923-08-25

near without any sign OF him, and IN
the end Greg had to go without him.
He was in difficulties when II came
| to choosing a man in EstuSan's place.
oudly and shamelessly proclaimed
his own superior qualities. Greg
finally decided TO take them all. 1t
was possible he might need them, and
if he did not they could remain in
concealment In the cab. He swore
in the smallest particular.
Meanwhile during the evening the
old car had received grooming like
an athlete before his supreme race.
From all the cabs In the yard the
most nearly new tires were borrowed. /.
every nut screwed home. every wire
tested. With black grease they
smudged the license plates so that
the numbers were illegible. Nor did
they fail to test the extension ladder.
Afterwarf Il WAS put back III us
paper and tied on top of the hivNer.
On the way uptown all rode inside.
The front window was allowed to re
main down. SO that Hickey could
share in GreC'S instructions and eN-
hortations. While he talked to them
Greg was sizing up his men. They
showed their excitement in charac-
teristic ways. Bun Tandy smoked
deep, and there was calm and de-
lighted smile on his face: Blossom
teeth: little Ginger twisted on his
seat like restless schoulboy. TN
pick Bull for the closest work" "
thought Greg.
When they got {" II" corner of
Columbus avenue and SD street. Greg
said to Hickey: "DriTr al th@ WAY
. through the block and come back again.
so that We can get u look over the
Woe ground
1t was long block down TO
4 - don I.n ff1I
I long. y slight hill rose toward the
middle of the block. and descended
h""ond. A. Greg had expected. The
uei@h horhooG was absolutely desert
ed. scarcely light to be seen the
beginning Of the block. the Columbus
avenue end. All the windows were
dark. but II dim light showed in the
doorway, likewise in the doorway OF
the connecting house.
! Half way through the b!ock-that is
:" say. at the top Of the little hill
they came upon stationary figure.
an officer but one hose gray coat
differed from the uniform of the city
police. He was leaning back with his
elbows prOppeG on stone post. one
heel cooked up on a step. and his
club dangling from its thong.
The hearts "f all went down at the
sight. Uncomplimentary epithets were
directed toward the innocent officer
In the performanc" of his duty.
Damned unlucky" muttered Greg
AT the end OF the block Greg direct =
ed Hickey TO turn the corner and
stop, until they could decide what
was best to do The broad. unbeau-
tiful eXpanse of Amsterdam avenue
was as empty as the side street II
was like the avenue of some dead
city. where the lights had been left
burning.
What did YOU make of him." said
Blossom. Not "A regular cop"
Worse" said Greg "a private
I patrolman. I had forgotten that the
residents of a private block like this
often club together and hire a man
from an agency to keep watch. He'll
be there all night. damn him"
What are you going to do?' asked
Ginger. anXiously give IL up""
Not on your life" said Greg, grim
ly. Let me think minute"
All four of them waited with blank
minds for Greg to give them a cue.
We must create a diversion" he
said finally.
"A what" asked Bull Tandy.
{ Attract his attention elsewhere:
draw him off"
Il get you" said Ginger Get up
fake burglary or something down
! at this end OF the block"
Exactly. Thatll be your job:
! yours and Blossoms"
! Ginger's face fell. Have heart
Greg! S'posin' we git five years apiece
Tor IL