Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-06-27

PAUL CREMARRE, noted French
thief, who has met Nswcombs In
the back waters Of the war. alone
with
RUNNELLS. . valet. who has done
some big thefts on his own account
THE FOURTH sTRAGGLER, who
hears tho crooks agree TO combine
after the armistics and who disap'
pears
POLLY wTCKEs. Q howsr-gtrl. whom
Newcombs has adopted ana sent 70
the idea OF fnsuring social contacts
OF the best before he leaves England
after executing some big hauls. She
DGgA MARLIN. daughter Of an sccen-
trio millionaire. and her guest on q
big show place on ths Florida keys
NIX. MARLIN. the mad magnste. has
lars, the existence OF which New
combe learns inadvertently from
his beautiful ward.
HOWARD LOCKE, son OF a Dig pusi.
Runneiis TO Florida on his steam
launch. He falls In love with PONY
And now as he waited on the
veranda, the low, savage cnuckie
came again. The boathouse wouid
serve admirably-since Runner
seemed to have n penchant for It..
II was far enough away to obyiate
tho possibility OF any sound carry
ing to the house; and, inside. II
possessed light. He wanted light
when he handled Runnells. Quite
apart from the fact that darkness
in itself afforded too many chances
Tor lucky escape. he could not read
tunnels in the darkness. Also. af-
fording him malicious delight,
there was exquisite irony In the
thought that the setting Tor what
was TO come should be the one tnat
tunnels had himself chosen tonight
for quite another purpose than
own undoing
Tho front door opened and Run
nclls emerged.
What's the game" Runnells ask :
cd hoarsely. Dye know where he
is?"
II was quite unnecessary to be
anything but frank with Runnells
as to their destination. Runnells.
safe in the belief that he had been
mistaken for one Detective Sergeant
Mullins. and that his master" was
wide of the mark and astray, would
also enjoy the irony TO be found on
the trip to the boathouse. IL would be
pity to deprive Runnells OF any
thing like that. Captain Francis
Newcombe nodded CURLY. as. mo-
tioning to the other fellow, he led
the way across the lawn.
Yes. | think 3d." he said: I've
reason TO believe he's been using the
boathouse to hide and live In"
strike me pink" mumbled Run
nells. That's what | always said
TO myself after that night: l says.
look out for that bird'-and l was
bloody we'll right"
Il fancy you were" agreed Cap
tain Francis Newcombe coolly.
though | didn't think 80 at the time.
But hurry up. There's no time to
lose IL we want to trap him"
They had entered the wooded path
leading to tho shore. and. curiously
enough. Runnclls was now in front
and in the darkness. as It swung
at his side. Captain Francis New
comhes hand held a revolver.
How'd lie get here" Runnells
jerked back over his shoulder.
How'd YOU twig 1t? And when did
he Gomez"
About the same time we did. I
imagine" replied Captain Francis
Newcombc shortly. Don't talk so
Louder any more at all. for that
matter The wind has died down
a bit, and we might be heard. Make
straight for one OF those little
bridges Mt tho boathouse-the one
ON this slde-the nearer one. Under
stand? And look out for yourself
the mans no fool. I'll say that for
him
Right" said Runnells In a muf-
fed voice. as they came out OF the
woods and the boathouse doomed up
shadowy and indistinct, some fifty
yards away.
There was laughter In Captain
Francis Newcombe's soul now, q
mirth parented out Of savagery and
Nifdictiveness. a laugh at the blind
fool treading so warily and cautious
~ and silently across the sandy
beach here In order that he should
not be denied the shambles. The
laugh seemed to demand physical
audible expression. He choked II
back. In moment or go more he
could laugh to his hearts content
The boathouse was only few
yards away now. He rubbed close
against Runnell's side. as though to
preserve touch with the other In
the darkness. Runnells' revolver
was In the right hand coat pocket
and
Both men had halted simultans-
cusly. Close to the boathouse now
and in its lee. the sound OF the
breaking waves was somewhat dead =
ened. but from under ting overhang
OF the veranda there had come an
other sound, as though vicious
paratively smooth water under the
boathouse. and then a sudden
fiounderihg and splashing. and then
the shaping again.
Runnells' hand went to his side
!pocket-but as it came out again
with his revolver Captain Francis
l.Newcombe's hand closed upon Il
like wise. and with quick twist
and wrench secured the weapon.
"What-what did you do that
for?" Runnells stammered I'm a low,
startled way. Didn't you hear that
in under the boathouse? There's
some one there. Maybe IT'S him."
Captain Francis Newcombe laugh.
ed now-aloud.
so you think there's some one in
under there, do you. Runnells ," he
drawled.
Yes said Runnells. and drew
away little. You heard It just
the same as I did. butt don't
understand what you.-''
You will In minute" Captain
Francis Newcombes voice was still
a drawl. But meanwhile we'll see
whether you're right or not. You
don't mind going first, do You, Run
nells?" His revolver muxzle was
suddenly pressed against the small
scf Runnells' back. I've known you
to be a bit tricky ut times. Go on,"
Something like whisper came
from Runnells. He stood irresoluts.
Go on. In under there! Wen
see this some one, Of yours first
of ALL" Captain Francis New.
trnp,he's vnira ann nped Uow "M0vNtH