The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1925-08-26

VI deain. You understand that Mar.
TN. we don't mean you any harm.
unless and once again there came +.
pause-"unless you try anv monLov
lricKs. You are to do exactly as I
tel you, without question and at once
II you DO you will receive fifty pounds.
III you don't-well, Martin. have
ways Of dealing with people who don't
90 what l tell them"
Ihere was silence while Ginger Mar
TN INJECTED about, looking like q
trapped animal. what do yer want
me 10 do, guynorT' he said at last
open a safe amongst other things ~
answered Drummond. Have YOU
Drought your tools and thingsY
fus-lve brought the outfit" NUT
tered the other. Where Is the safe?
EreT
NO, Martin, not here. Some dis
lance away in fact. We shall start In
about an hour. Until then you will
stop In this room. You can have a
whisky-and-soda, and my friend here
viii stay with you. He has a gun.
Martin, so remember what | said. No
monkey tricks"
With fascinated eyes the crook
watched the speaker rise and cross to
an inner door. Standing he seemed
more huge than ever, and Martin gave
a sigh of relief as the door closed be-
hind him.
The entrance to Number 5 Green
street proved easier than Drummond
had expected-so easy as to be almost
suspicious. No lights shone In the win
dows above: the house seemed COM
pletely deserted Moreover. the door
into the street was unbolted. and with
out moments hesitation Drummond
opened it and stepped inside, followed
by Martin and Ted birmingham. The
long black cloak had been discarded
only the black mask concealed his
face, as the three men stood inside the
door, listening intently. Not a sound
was audible, and after a moment or
two Drummond felt his way cautious
ly through the downstairs office to-
ward the flight of stairs that led to
the rooms above.
In single file they crept up the
stairs, Drummond leading. The door
at the top was ajar. and for awhile
they stood in the carpeted passage
above listening again
"Along this passage are the clerks
Offices" he explained in a low voice
to the other two. AT the far end is
another door which we shall probably
find locked. Beyond that is the inner
office, which we want"
"Well, let's get on wiv it, guv'nor,"
muttered Ginger Martin hoarsely.
There's no good in Angling abaht."
Drummond switched on his electric
torch, and flashed it cautiously round.
Doors leading off the passage were
open in most cases. and all the rooms
were empty; it was obvious that none
of the staff were about. And yet he
felt an indefnable sense of danger,
which he tried in vain to shake off.
Somehow or other. he felt certain that
they were not alone-that there were
other people in the house. But Ginger
Martin had no such presentiments,
and was rapidly becoming impatient.
To open the door at the end of the
passage. if ii should prove TO be
locked. was such child's play as TO be
absolutely contemplate. He wanted
to get on with the safe, which might
take time. instead of fooling round in
4 passage listening for mice
Without a sound. the craftsman set
% work; his coarse features outlined
n the circle of the torch. his ill-kept |
fingers handling his instruments as
Ieftly as any surgeon. A little oil |
,ere and there: steady pressure
With a short pointed steel tool; faint |
lick
There you are. guv-nor," he NUT
cred. Strengthening up. Easy as kiss
or and. And If yer waits till l find |
ne glove TIL open it for yer; but Gin
-er Martins finger-prints are TOO Wen
nown TO run any risks"
Still no sound came from anywhere,
hough the click as the lock shot back |
ad seemed horribly loud in the 81
pnce. And then, just as Martin eau
lously turned the handle and pushed
men the door. Drummond stifened
uddenly and switched off his torch.
10 could have sworn that he heard
he sound of voices close by.
Only for a second-they were In
family .silenced; but just for that
raction of time as the door opened he
new he had heard men speaking.