Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1925-10-10
By CYRIL McNEILE
APFER
Copyiqh, by GEORGE n. DORM co.
D.E.u Service

was little chink In the wooden shut
ters Of one Of the downstairs rooms
through which the light was stream
ing I took a glimpse through, and
found that everything was just as had
been reported to me. There were eight
Of them there, and an unpleasant
looking bunch they were, too. Zabo-
leff | saw at the head OF the table.
and standing next to him was that
man WaldOck who runs two or three
Of the worst Of the Red papers. There
was also Flash Jim, and | began to
wish I'd brought a few more men"
McIyer smiled ruefully. 1T was
about the last coherent wish l remem-
Der. And" he went on seriously,
what I'm going to tell you now, sir,
may seem extraordinary and what one
would expect in detective fiction, but
as sure as / am sitting In this chair,
Il 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 scuf1ie, and a
stihed curse. And then, and this is
what beats me, sir" McIver pounded
a huge fist into an equally huge palm
Il was picked up from behind as II l
was a baby. Yes sir, baby"
lnyoluntarly Sir Bryan smiled.
You make a 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 was picked up just Ike a
child In arms and doped, sir, doped.
Meat my time Of life. They chloro-
formed me, and that was the last
saw OF Zabolefr 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, the same as
have"
Perhaps" said Sir Bryan quietly.
But go on, McIver I'd Ike to hear
what's on your mind"
IT'S the Black Gang, sir" said the
Inspector, leaning forward impress
siyely
There have been rumors going
round, rurnors which our men have
heard here and there for the past two
months I've heard EN- 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 II is the TRUTH"
asked Sir Bryan.
None for certain. sir: untn this
moment I wasn't certain OF its exist.
ence. But now-looking back-there
have been quite a number Of sudden
| disappearances. We haven't troubled
/ officially, we haven't been asked to
| Hardly likely when one realizes who
the people are who have disappeared. !"
"All conjecture. McGver." said Sir
Bryan. "They may be lying doggo or
| they'll turn up elsewhere"
They may be, sir" answered Nc
liver doggediy. 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 IL he? His
wife, l happen 10 know. IS crazy with
anxiety, so It don't look Ike 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 gnd hair shaved Off and the
motto Portrait OF a Bolshevist' paint
ed on his forehead Well. I don't need
10 tell YOU sir that that particular
Pole. Strambowskl, was undoubtedly
/ a messenger between well. we know
F.who between aud what the message
was. And then take last night"
We'll, what about last nlEht?"
For the first time this gang has
come into direct contact with u.s."
always assuming the fact OF Its ex-
lstence"
Exactly sir" answered McTver
well, they've get Zaholef and they've
got Waldock, and they laid eight az rs
out 70 cool. l guess they're not TO be
sneezed at"
With thoughtful look on his face
Sir Bryan rose and strolled over 10
the window Though not prepared 10
50 quite as far as McIver, there were
certainly some peculiar elements In
the situation elements which he MS
head Of big public department, could
not officially allow Tor an instant
however much Il might amuse him as
3 private individual
I'VE must find Zaholer and Wal
dock be said CURLY. without turning
round "Waldock, at any rate. Inns
friends who vii make noise unless
he's forthcoming And
But his further remarks were inter.
rupsed by the entrance OF his secr,N
tarv with q note
Fer she Inspector Sir Brysn.s she
said and MeIver after a glance at his
chief opened the envelope. For
while he studied the letter in silence
q