Evening star., 1925-04-05
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Observation-Disclosures.

jaw, and the secretary went to the
floor. completely knocked out.
r X X y
VIE awakened some time later to
find himself seated in an armchair,
his feet and hands bound, while before
him, drinking coffee from a cup that
stood upon a table, sat Conkling. The
physician grinned; he seemed, in his
pajamas, with his hair and beard awry
from the recent struggle, like some great
hairy ape.
'Feeling better" he asked cheerfully.
What are you going to do with me .
demanded McFarlane.
The doctors grin grew broader. The
butler, his wife, who is the parlor maid
the cook and myself are all witnesses to
your attempt at robbery and your as
sault upon me- What do you think I'm
going to do?"
Send for the police, ! suppose" said
McFarlane hoarsely.
Conkling set his coffee cup down.
You interested me from the moment
you came here My interest has been in
creased by your activities Of the past
week. 1t was a touch of positive genius,
oiling the doors"
you knew that cried McFarlane.
Certainly. Exactly as I knew why
you were questioning the servants. You
thought the cook and the butler would
be out tonight didn't you?'
why didn't you discharge me, let me
go, when you knew what l planned? %
demanded McFarlane.
The doctor shrugged. Wherever you
went you would be a criminal. Your
own frank confession, plus my accurate
observation OF you. convinced me of that
fact Why not let you commit your
crime amid friendly surroundings"
rs that your reason? Pity for me?"
Conkling lighted a cigar. That, and
the fact that, being scientific man, ]
hate to see good material go to waste.
Immoral men. men without single
scruple and possessed Of great physical
courage, have their uses. j was not sure
OF your courage. If you dared put up a
fight against me you would be a brave
man. So, then, you have certain qualif-
cations valuable to me-"
I'm what way?' asked McFarlane.
Before / answer let me remind you
that no less credible a witness than
Sergt- Ryan can testify that you came
to me as a patient suffering from well
known mental ailment. Three witnesses
beside myself can testify as to tonight's
occurrence. Anything that you might
say about me would be discounted in
advance. You are a criminal and, IL
choose to say so, insane"
He puffed at his cigar. do I make
the situation-your situation-extremely
clear?"
GO on" said McFarlane.
Have you heard Of the Malbron
gang?"
McFarlane shook his head sullenly
"Of course, not there has been moth
ing in the papers about them recently.
And you have no recollection of events
in this country before you came to me.
Well, the Malbron gang as the police
vulgarly term them because of the name
by which their leader is known to the
police. is the most efficient group of
crfminals-if one cares to use so crude
word-in the world. Their leader is
always on the lookout for promising re-
cruits. Not low thugs. but men of man.
ner even though not of tradition. Men
Of culture, who can understand the JUS
tice that lies behind the Malbron actiyi-
ties. For it is unjust that traders should
CLEAN the profits of the world and men
Of science like myself should slave for
money to live and carry on their expert
ment
I'VE are gentlemen and men of great
Intellectual attainments Unfortunately
some OF US run more to brain than to
body. We need athletes like yourself
1 shall now go to sleep. You may think
over the offer which l now make you
to Join our association. In the morning
you may join US or go to Jail as a COM
mon thief. Goodnight. Oh, by the way
l am Malbron."
He turned out the light and Nc
Farlane heard him climb into bed
Don't leave me here tied UP all
night" said the prisoner. "Of course
I'll join"
X X X
THE new recruit to the Malbron
l. gang walked by the side of his
lAadar Cenfral Park 70