The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-09-25
Burglary Without
Frills
By WALTER S. STORY
%. 1928. western Newspaper UniOn.)


Cant find any," answered the man
who had accosted him.
They walked down the road until
they came to the wall of the Hooker
estate on the hilltop.
Now, Brown" said Bollinger,
heres your job. Got up to the front
door and tell 'em you found Mr. Sher-
wood down in the main road knocked
into a cooked hat by some car that
sneaked off.
A few minutes later a big car came
down the drive, shot through the gate
way and went at a high speed down
the HILL
Bollinger left the cover of the road
side brush and ran up through the
streets TO the house He gave a soft,
peculiar whistle-repeated it, but got
40 response. He was puzzled, but at
length he went to a side window,
opened it and entered He kneeled
at the safe in the corner, worked the
combination adroitly and opened the
door OF sudden, however, a sixth
sense warned him, and, 1.-the as a
panther, he arose and wheeled.
a stocky white-haired man stood
just inside the doorway, with leveled
automatic. 'I'm Sherwood, the man
you thought had left town tonight"
Bollinger stared at him and beyond
him, flicker in his eye. "Oh, L
see," he responded.
II hope so. Now mister, want this
matter closed as soon as possible. But
what did you expect to find here?"
why, the $4,000 cash in the
drawer there-which l knew Hooker
drew from the bank today to pay you
for your plans"
"Well, young fellow, you flub-
dubbed on this job. Tucker told about
you-used to be Hooker's chauffeur.
He's the bum you picked up for a
FOOLS trick.
Lightning-like, Bollinger whipped
out his gun and covered the other.
Caught you mapping" he said, coOlly.
Just what l want. You know the
moneys not in the drawer. You have
it. Put down your gun"
Sherwood shrugged his shoulders,
passed Bollinger, and they went into
the hall and up the staircase.
'All rightly, you big crook" sudden
ly cried familior voice in jubilant
tones. 81 got yer!"
"Ah-Brown said Bollinger, and
he turned and faced the hungry man
standing with the drop upon him.
You believed me, didn't your" he
said, mOckingly.
"Betcha l tipped Mr.. Hooker off,
and he went down in the car He'll
be back in a minute-with friends"
You have Mr.. Sherwood's gum"
said Bollinger. IT'S empty"
TOO old a trick" returned Tucker,
with a grin. His face froze suddenly
-Bollinger was bringing up his arm
and he pulled trigger. Snap! The gun
was empty.
Under the circumstances, I'll let
the money CO." said Bollinger, crisply.
I'm in a hurry. Downstairs! Both
Of you'll"
Before the grim crook Mr.. Sherwood
and Tucker went downstairs and to
the front door.
You're going with me, Brown"
said BolHnger. you can stay, Mr..
Sherwood"
"Pd be pretty careful now" OBJ
served Sherwood.
Don't worry!' returned Bollinger.
Together they went down the lawn
under the trees, and suddenly the
craftsman knocked Tucker out with
his heavy Colt and leaped away.
Two hours later Bollinger and Sher-
wood were rolling toward a great city
in a limousine driven by a friendly
chauffeur.
You pulled boner, Tommy, using
that bum to get the old man from the
house." said Sherwood, now a dark
haired man. He dished us. Hooker
fell for the yarn about Sherwood all
right-not. He went to fool US and
get help. Tucker stayed to get you,
and there were two other guys on the
place We were in bad. l got into
the house instead of staying outside
as planned, so to help you. Had to
tie up an old fellow and a maid, and
just got them under cover when this
bird Tucker sailed into the house. l
told him | was Sherwood, and had
come back unexpectedly by the road
on the other side of the hill. That
went with him all right-and you
know the rest. Now, let's whack up"
"All right, Doc" returned Bollinger.
Il played a fool trick on impulse, and
we're lucky, thanks to your nerve and
wit I'll take mine now, thanks"
Didn't you get it," demanded the
other, staring at his partner.
Me! Didn't you get it," demanded
the other, staring at his partner
Me! Didn't you get it, Doc?" 1
didn't touch it. That bum was out In
the hall watching, and / knew we'd
never make Il clean getaway if he saw
me cop it. l give you the chance to
empty the drawer, and s'posed you
did"
mol" responded Doc, with vicious
snap Il knew Tucker was watching,
and, anyway. l thought you'd cleaned
the drawer out.
For a few moments the two slick
crooks gazed into each others eyes,
and each knew the other was telling
the truth.
Burglary without frills thrown In
for me-" growled Doc, sarcastically.
ME, too" agreed Bollinger.
dead Reckoning
Recourse to this reckoning Is made