Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1925-08-27
Bv CYRIL MCNEII.E
APPER
Copyright by GEORGE H. DORM CO.
u. N. u Service
sAPPER


would expect in detective fiction, but
as sure as I am sitting in this chair,
it is what actually took place. Some
where from close to, there came the
sound of an owl. hooting. At the same
moment / distinctly heard the noise
of what seemed like a scuffie, and a
stified curse. And then, and this is
what beats me, sir" McIver pounded
huge fist into an equally huge palm.
Il was picked up from behind as if
was baby. Yes, sir, baby"
nvoluntarily Sir Bryan smiled.
"You make good substantial in
FAINT, McIver."
Exactly, sir" grunted the inspec-
tor. IF man had suggested such a
thing to me yesterday I'd have
laughed in his face. But the fact re-
mains that l was picked up just like
child in arms, and doped, sir, doped.
Meat my time of life. They chloro-
formed me, and that was the last
saw of Zaboleff or the rest of the
gang"
The inspector leaned forward and
stared at his chief.
You've heard the rumors, sir" he
went on after a moment, 1.-The same as
1 have"
Perhaps" said Sir Bryan quietly.
'But go on, McIver. I'd like to hear
what's on your mind"
Its the Black Gang, sir" said the
Inspector, leaning forward impress
sively.
There have been rumors going
round, rumors which our men have
heard here and there for the past two
months. I've heard em myself; and
once or twice I've wondered. Now I'm
especially after what Flash Jim
said. That gang is no rumor, it's solid
fact"
Have you any information as to
what their activities have been, as
Stunning for moment it is the truth?"
asked Sir Bryan.
"None for certain, sir; until this
moment wasn't certain of its exist
ence. But now-looking back-there
have been quite a number of sudden
disappearance. We haven't troubled
officially we haven't been asked to.
Hardly likely when one realizes who
the people are who have disappeared"
"AH conjecture, McIver," said Sir
Bryan. "They may be lying doggo, or
they'll turn up elsewhere"
"They may be, SIR" answered Nc
Iver doggedly. "But take the COM
plete disappearance of Granger a fort
night ago. He's one of the worst Of
the Red men, and we know he hasn't
left the country. Where is he? His
wife, 1 happen to know, is crazy with
anxiety, so it don't look like a put-up
job. Take that extraordinary case of
the Pole who was found dashed to the
ratings in Whitehall with one-half o.
his beard and hair shaved off and the
motto Portrait Of a Bolshevist' paint
ed Oh his forehead. Well, 1 don't need
to tell you, sir, that that particular
Pole, Strambowski, was undoubtedly
messenger between-well, we know
who between and what the message
was. And then take last night"
"Well, what about last night?"
"For the first time this gang has
come into direct contact with u.s."
always assuming the fact Of its ex-
istence"
Exactly, sir" answered McIver.
swell, they've got Zaboleff and they've
got Waldock, and they laid eight of | 8
out to cool. / guess they're not to be
sneezed at"
With a thoughtful look on his face
! Sir Bryan rose and strolled over to
the window. Though not prepared to
go quite as far as McIver, there were
certainly some peculiar elements In
the acknowledgements which he. as
head of big public department, could
not officially allow for an instant,
however much 1t might amuse him as
a private individual.
1--WE must find Zaboleff and Wal
dock" he said CURLY, without turning
round. "Waldock, at any rate, has
friends who will make noise unless
he's forthcoming. And !"
But his further remarks were inter-
rupted by the entrance Of his secre-
tary with a note.
"For the inspector, Sir Bryan" she
said, and McIver after a glance at his
chief, opened the envelope. For a
while he studied the letter in silence,
then with an enigmatic smile he rose
and handed it to the man by the win
dow
''No answer, thank you, Miss
Forbes" he said, and when they were
once more alone, he began rubbing his
hands together softIy-a sure sign of
being excited. Curtis and Samuel
Bauer both logged nearly to death
and found in slum off Whitechapel.
The note said two of 'em had been
logged"
49," said Sir Bryan quietly. "These
two were at Barking last night?"
"They were, sir" answered the in
spector.
"And their liner" queried the chief
''White slave traffic of the worst
type" said McIver. "They generally