The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-11
CAz Color Cure

peuueu OSeI Luc Uouk Ol q SLudH IlNcE. 1t had the appearance of an office building in general front construction, but showed signs of dsuse. It was built on a wedge shaped fragment of land back of larger building, was practically three stories high and exposed but few windows, all heavily shuttered. Inside the hall the complacent Cupid got jolt. On the woodwork of the first office door appeared a sign, attached by light screws:
 "F. Carruthers Real Estate.''
 3Fine place to transact business-if going to work is included in the plot he snorted.
 "Never mind," soothed the Judge. "Out of the way, to be sure, but the customers you need will find the way. You've been doing eurbstone and hotel lobby oil leas- ing business long enough. You need real office. Now here are your instructions: You bat around town as usual, coming in here about three times day, between 9:3O in. the morning and 8 80 in the afternoon. You must not come in before or after those hours unless on further instructions. You will not be alone in the building, but don't try to find or communicate with your ally. Aiiu II yOu HedH oquCohS Oi 1ccl diiy NiDI d- tion in your office, pay no attention to it. If you go in on this floor and come out up stairs, take that for granted-it may hap pen. This place is framed to drive some one nutty, so be sure you don't beat the in- tended victim to that condition. You won't need a key-the place mustn't be locked"
 Here they entered the office" "Ths is all the furniture you need. And, furthermore, these ginks justify their crooked work by calling it fighting fire with fire All right-if they start any monkey business in connection with this job, I'll furnish some of the fire. We'll re- move that sign and I'll bring dozen re- liable witnesses to prove that you never were in this building and that the .drys' were seen making plant Let's go.'
 Two days thereafter Cupid sneaked into the law office, collar turned up, tweed cap pulled down over his nose, crouched for ward and t-histing at every stealthy step. Luckily the highly explosive Claudio was not present, so there was no shriek of mirth.
 ''They are across the street waiting for me to come out-my escort" said Cupid. Couldn't you do me up in 2 package and tote me out to make the game more inter esting? Hate to walk out in the ordinary way Got any phony whiskers here? S-ss-sttv
 Sneaky footsteps in the hall, pausing ap- parently at every office door while the foot stopper listened for possible clues. They passed on and Cupid continued guardedly:
 Followed instructions, but what tha-"
 "Wait wait," interposed the Judge. "No questions; just answers. What was the result of following instructions?"
 'Not much," conceded Cupid. "Went in and stayed few minutes, long enough for the hounds of the Baskersvilles to make round trip. Came back looking worried. Didn't see me as they passed little curio shop where l was in retreat. Went back and found nothing touched. Thought sure they would bust open that old desk. Say, is that danged trap safe-is the floor liable to fall out at the wrong time? don't-"
 "Can it. Yours not to reason why or how. Your intellect won't stand the strain. Err, have you"
 "Yeh," admitted Cupid guiltily. "I couldn't see any harm in jogging things along little. As was about to say, they went back there again and busted into my private desk-Ill have the law on lem. cuss 'em-can't understand why they didn't do it the first trip. So I went back and planted little something to-"
 "Musser" exploded the Judge, you'll queer the deal yet. See anything of the Big Villain? No? Sit tight here while I do little scouting. Don't answer knocks. Claudio and I both have keys" Grabbing his hat, the Judge dashed ont slamnine