Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-19

ourselves to get that woman to talk.
Don't you see that II she does go to
headquarters and furnishes them
with any real clue, the city police
will get all the credit? I don't
want any, the Lord knows but I'd
like to have this county show 'em
il can take care of its own troubles,
and that our justice isn't so blind
even IL she does wear a sunbonnet."
Geoff grinned as he picked up his
cap and started for the door.
Don't you let that worry you
none, doc. BY all accounts, we're
dealin' with woman that's as
smart as a steel trap. and she'd no
she'd send an invite for dinner to
the chief O. the Secret Service De-
partmint. I'm figgerin' on kind o a
little s'prise party for all concerned.
You amt heard from Allen since he
followed Lane away from the Cay
lev place yesterday afternoon"
NO. I'll get word somehow to
you if l hear from him tomorrow"
But it was Geoff who encountered
the lone motorcyclist on his way to
work early the next morning: and
the latter began hastily, without
preamble:
Glad l was in time to catch you
Peters. | left another of the boys
on the job in New York and ran
out here to make my report to the
medical examiner, but the old wo-
man who takes care of his cottage
for him says he had a hurry call
from somebody named Sim Perkins,
and after that he's going his rounds.
cant wait-got to beat it back,
and | guess YOU can get a mes
sage TO him for me-"
Reckon so. Mr.. Allen, If there
amt no pdrtic'iar hurry bout it."
Geoff replied. II won't be able 10
see him till shutdown"
That's all right. I didn't want
to phone; too many listening in
Now, DO, get this straight. Lane
hit town at Z. NJ. Sunday night,
phoned from a booth in the station
10 York $500 Couldn't hear the
message; coops on each side oc-
cupied and crowd milling around
in front. Lane went to his rooms
for half an hour-no messages in
coming or outgoing while he was
there,--then to his club for dinner,
all dolled up in evening clothes. and
after that to a house near the Park.
I've got a memo, here of the adj
dress as we'll as that phone num-
ber." Detective Allen handed over
slip of paper. 'Ie got there in q
taxi about nine and left at twelve
fifteen. going home to his rooms for
the night. Next neutrality-suspicious.
day-he was at his Office at nine
thirty and went through his usual
days routine. stopping at his club
for an hour afterward. then his
rooms to change. dinner on the
Belleterre roof with man identified
as the head of Chicago brokerage
house, and then home. He was still
there at six o'clock this morning.
Is that all clear"
"'fhe main p'ints o it, Geoff
drawled. Seems to me from some
thin the doe said. that I'd kinder
keep tabs on the folks that come to
Lanes office or that telephone to
him today. if YOU kin: reckon : he
thinks it's likely important
Allen nodded ana started the
motor.
Got you," he said briefly. so
long"
He disappeared in a swirlinG
cloud of dust down the road. and
Geoff proceeded to the Cayley place.
where he passed an uneyentful day
at work on the terrace Mrs. Cay
Icy and her daughter, as Wen as the
two maids. kept closely indoors. ana
OF neither the private detective nor
the one from the County District
Attorneys Office was there o sign.
At q little after five he ceased
his labors. cleaned up The debris Of
his work and started for home TO
have supper and feed his fOur-font-
ed friends before delivering Allen $
report to the doctor. AS he neared
the path which branChed off across
the meadow. however. he saw a
smart little coupe halted at the
crossroads ahead. and caught a
glimpse from within OF an i'm
periously reckoning, white gloved
hand.
GCoff sauntercd leisurely toward
II and one of the men in livery on
tho box descended and opened the
rear door. disclosing a lady whose
soft gray veil did not conceal her
vivid coIoring nor the almost fever
ish glow in the deep hazel eyes she
bent upon him.
can YOU tell me where the doctor
lives who is your medical examiner
for-for criminal cases?" Her low,
bell-like tones faltered for an in
slant and then went on quickly:
MY chauffeur and footman do not
understand English very well and
they could not quite grasp the
directions given them near the sta
tom
You mean Doc Hood. ma'am p"
Geoif paused. cap in hand. as If
considering the matter. "'Tain't
far. but If you're a stranger. dun
nos | could describe the turnin's to
you. though l could pint out the
W1S 'nnIloh hN Of l;,,s
Your runnin' board, and | don't
mind The walk back a mite
That is good of you" A smile
flashed at him through the meshes
of the veil. "Of course, you will let
me pay you--''
mo ma'am." Geoff smiled back in
simple Difference. Doc Hoods
friend to all O. Ms round here and it
amt no trouble"
He was careful to direct the
woodenfaced chauffeur by a round
about route TO the doctors Gotta GO
and all the way his blood ran swift
with elation. Youngish looking.
handsome. brown eyes and hair. rich
color, voice like the soft, vibrant
echo Of church bells-there couldn't
he any mistake. Lyons must have
done his work convincingly and
well.
The coupe stopped before the
doctors gate just as that individual
himself appeared upon the porch
ana he stared, round-eyed. when
Ceoff stepped from the running
board and advanced toward him.
leaving the footman to open the
door.
Lady to see YOU. doc; that is.