Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-14

You're the Teller Doc Hood told
me to expect" Geoff repeated.
Right YOU are the detective
: laughed. DO you know if any mes
sages came for Lane while he was
away at the funeral?
Amt heard tell o. none.' Geoff
, shook his head. Il been workin'
, out at the garage. and l amt laid
eyes on nobuddy from the house 'cept
Say, did YOU ever meet up with
any O these here private detective
iellcrS?'
once in a while" Aliens voice
aminer told the chief at head
quarters that Mrs. Cayley's lawyer
had engaged one from OHares
agency. Did you spot him?"
We'll. Teller come out to me
just now when l was putin away
my tools and let on that he was the
! manager O Mr.. Benkard's Office on
| Broad street, and had brung some
papers to Mis- Cayley. but he was so
ALFRED Gurus | kinder 'spicioned
him." replied Geoff.
"Gittin' on to fifty. he is, with n
gray mustache as stiff as paint
brush and little, beady eyes. He's
got on new, dark suit that he acts
ii
false front to his hair. and his hands
look 'sif they'd done harder work
than shake the ones o the suckers
that so specllilatin' down on that
| there stock market
You're no sucker, that's one
! thing sure" Allen exclaimed. II
know that bird; he's Mahoney. one
! of O'Harc's star men. What's more,
be knows me and I'll have to keep
, pretty well under cover while I'm
! trailing Lane down here. You met
Lyons the other night? If YOU see
him, give him the office. will you 2"
Whose Office? demanded Geoff.
| Put him wise; tip him off about
Mahoney being on the job. | may
not get chance" The detective
wheeled his motorcycle out in the
middle OF the road. and then turned.
! Thanks for the dope. I'll see YOU
! Monday unless my man beats it be-
fore then"
! Geoff continued on his homeward
way in relief. Allen seemed to be all
right even if he did talk the dog
! gonodest lingo. but the harasscd
| stonemaSon had had about enough of
, detectives. private and otherwise. If
he was going to be evcrlastingly an
swering questions he might as. well
his business; and n plan for the
next day. which had vaguely pre-
| scented itself to his mind. took, all
at Cnce. definite shape and form.
Accordingly on the following
morning attired in his Sunday suit
| and pair Of shiny. new yellow
| shoes of which he was bitterly con-
scious Geoff boarded the first train
for New York. He knew that the
bank where Rupert Ashes father
held the presidency was In the
Greater City; and, on arriving at his
Destinations directory in the station
gave the address of it's uptown
branch in one of the West Seventies.
knowing nothing of the district. he
placed himself in the hands of a
taxi driver, as the wisest course to
pursue.
Banks closed on Sunday, bo."
The latter gazed at him curiously.
Reckon it's" Geoff responded with
dignity. II want to see an old friend
o mire and all the address | got is
that he lives in some boardin' house
acrost the street from it. I'm goin'
to git OUT there and ask at ev'ry
house till ! find him, and don't you
work that cash register thing too
fast. young Teller. I'm onto all
them tricks"
Honest l didn't know there was
any left like you.,, The drivers
tones held a touch of awe. Get in,
buddy. l wouldn't have the heart
to put it over on YOU
Nevertheless, Geoff kept his ewes
glued fast to the meter all the way
uptown, and came to a realization
of his surroundings only when the
taxi stopped with q jerk and the
driver opened the door.
The banks over there" He
pointed to an imposing edifice with
n large sign in gilt lettering over
the door. IF you're giving it to me
straight though, look for the houses
on this side that's got cards in the
basement windows reading table
board There's plenty. and you'll
likely find your friends in one of
EN-"
Geoff thanked him. and handed
over the fare, adding a bright, new
dime.
Here. young Teller. Go git your
self pack o them there cigarettes
seen you smokin' when / first hired
you. 'Tain't my business. but you'll
live longer IL you take to q pipe"
Leaving the driver speechless, he
started off up the block, looking for
the signs in the basement windows
which had been suggested. At the
first house SO adorned slatternly
maid replied to his inquiry for Mfr
Robbins" with brief shake OF her
tousled head before she slammed the
door in his face; but at the second
tbs landlady herself opened the
door. sShe was a person Of ample
girth, but with a perpetually cynical
expression. and she eyed her visitor
distrustfully.
I've got a Mr.. Robbins living
here she admitted at last. He
never has any callers. though. and
don't want none as far as can
make out: What's your business
I've come from Mr.. Ashe. the
president Of the bank where he
| works GeoH explained mendacious-
y. II was sent in from Long Island
with a.. message that's real i'm
portant"
We'll. ] guess YOU can go right up.
Those stairs are too much for me. a
dozen times day. It's three flights,
first door at the rear. and il be
don't answer he's gone out, because