Evening star., 1923-05-13

ieip us III every way, puI IL II pTl-
vate job. Fifty thousand retainer,
fifty thousand IL we get the men who
committed the robbery, one hundred
thousand for the return Of the stolen
property. and a half million for the
Gray Ghost himself"
Pelham whistled. "Mannering must
believe in the Gray Ghost"
Tryon colored. Every one does
now. I don't know why was fat
head enough ever to believe that he
was dead. But old Mannering had
me on the phone at my house before
breakfast. His doctors called ME up
and told me that he was in no shape
to talk, but insisted on doing so. The
old boys voice was certainly feeble,
but his spirit isn't. He's mad clean
us. That interest you?"
Lots" replied Pelham. But it
doesn't interest me as much as the
mere fact that we have pnother
chance at the Gray Ghost. Let's CO."
They made their way downstairs to
Tryon's waiting limousine. They
were an oddly assorted pair. Jerry
Tryon was the typical policeman,
stockily built. heavy-footed, pos
sessed Of great physical strength
and with an amazing tenacity of pur-
pose. Pelham. thin. tall. and rest
less seeming. looked the imaginative
person that he was. At casual
glance one would have taken Pei
ham to be the planner and Tryon
the doer. but Pelham's Imagination
was combined with executive ability.
That executive ability had gone to
waste during most of his life. but the
recent renascsnce OF the Gray Ghost
had caused Pelham. at the moment
facing impoverishment, to accept tho
offer of Tryon to join his organiza-
tion. Tryon had made such offers
repeatedly, but the younger man had
refused. feeling that they were made.
out OF gratitude for old favors. But
almost by accident Pelham had dis
covered that he possessed the detec-
tive instinct.
X 4
T>HEY talked OF other things dur
L ing their hour-long ride to the
Mannering estate. Both Of them
wished to arrive at the scene Of last
nights tragic affair without too
many preconceived ideas Neither
Tryon nor Pelham had ever been
there before. They had come to look
at a palatial home. and they found
themselves in a hospital.
For doctors and trained nurses
dominated the place, and the odor of
anesthetics filled the air.
In his study. a round room on the
second floor, they found old Elias.
restive under the ministrations of
medical attendants. A bandage was
wound around his forehead. and his
fine old face was pale. Indeed.
lesser man would have been in his
bed. but Elias Mannering sat sturdily
in a swivel chair
His keen old eyes rested a moment
on Tryon, then shifted abruptly to
the face of Pelham. You're Pelham.
aren't you?" he demanded The man
that almost landed the Gray Ghost
last month";"
Pelham smiled deprecatingly. 'My
friend. Mr. Tryon. did as much as l."
Tryon caressed his blue chin. I'm
a cop, Mr.. Mannering, and my friend
is genius. If the Gray Ghost is
ever found. Pelham will find him."
a wry smile fitted over the face
of their host. 81 like modesty, Mr.
Tryon. I believe what you say about
your friend. Also 1 believe that when
Mr.. Pelham finds the Gray Ghost, |
you'll grab him and never let GO"
Much obliged. sir" grinned Tryon. |
The doctor approached his patient. !
Anything that these gentlemen |
wish to know can be told them by |
others. Mr.. Mannering," he said. |
You must avoid excitement"
Old Elias stared at the physician. |
"If I can't survive a little excitement |
after what / went through last night !
I'm SO close to the grave that moth |
ing can save me from tumbling in. |
The murderous hound behind last |
nights attack killed three of my |
and wounded my son and |
grandson" He turned to Pelham. |
ASK me anything you want"
Pelham SMILED. IT think Wen look |
around a bit first" he said
"All right" said old Elias. But |
don't leave me out Of this" he or
dered.
Pelham promised to keep the old |
man in touch with each development |
as it occurred. and then he and
Tryon left the room.
Downstairs they met the village |
chief of police, a surprisingly alert
"Ive got all the servants lined up
In the hall, gentlemen" he said. IT
ries."
Good work." said Pelham. He
turned to Tryon. Suppose, Jerry. |
that you have a talk with them, while |
look around outside. 1 want to go
down to the lodge"
"An right" agreed Tryon. He fol-
lowed the chief to the servants hall I
in the rear of the house, while Pei |
ham walked out the front door.
For moment Pelham drank In the |
beauty Of the scene, the wellkept |
lawns and trees. the beautiful pool !
half hidden by shrubbery. the river |
and the hills. Then he walked down !,
the drive up which they had come a |
few moments before.
X X X
Te road ran In and out between
lawns and flower beds and avenues |
Of trees. until, a half mile from the |
castle, one arrived at the lodge and !
the great gates that barred the pub
lie from the grounds. These gates |
had been opened by village con-
stable upon the arrival Of Pelham and |
Tryon. and the man had closed them |
after their car passed through. Pei |
ham noted the great high walls which |
inclosed the grounds; he nodded, |,