Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1925-06-12
Facing Cold
Steel
20, 1898 western Newspaper Union. }
BY WILLIS BRINDLEY


smile. She was as full Of business as
of good looks.
"Well, amt you goin' to spend moth
In but the afternoon2" she asked him
then. Here, take this-fellow wished
off gross on me and | don't know as
I'll ever sell 'em. Nice little nickle-
plated lnhaler-smell Of 1t and 1t stops
the SMILES, Thirty-five cents cash"
Carnahan grlnned and tossed her
half dollar, picking up the shiny
metal cylinder.
Keep the change and buy yourself
string of pearls"
"Oh, thank you, sir" the girl smiled
back, I'm afraid some guy would
snatch them like they did off the dame
in four-elghty-tw Toodle-oo."
"Toodle-oo," said Carnahan, feeling
for his room key.
The elevator operator bowed as he
entered waiting car; the elderly gen
tlewoman floor clerk smiled and wished
him good afternoon He had a way
with him, had Carnahan.
He slipped his key into the lock of
his door now. The door swung silent
ly, on oiled hinges. Carnahan saw a
man lounging in the window opposite.
gust of wind, caused by the draft
of the opened door alarmed the man
at the window, who swung suddenly,
reaching for his gun. But Carnahan
was upon him In two leaps.
Carnahan's weapon ran1med his fat
stomach, and the man threw up his
hands, awkwardly, protestlngly.
Carnahan grabbed the mans fat arm
with his left hand and led him out of
the room, walking sideways and prod
ding him In the back.
What the-you can't" the man
was sputterlng with rage.
"That'll be about ALL" said Carna-
han. Step along"
They passed the elderly gentlewom.
an who sat at the desk near the ele-
vator.
Room thief" said Carnahan, out OF
the side of his mouth.
ITS a d-d-here, lady, let me ex
plain"
But Carnahan was prodding him
again, and he gave up the idea of ex-
planning.
The room clerk was excited, rafting
the telephone receiver on Its hook.
Please" said Carnahan, and pushed
the down" button. The bronze doors
of an elevator swung wide and Carna-
han pushed his charge into the cage.
The elevator boy stared II was the
lad who had taken Carnahan up a few
minutes before.
Room thief" explained Carnahan
winking.
There were no other passengers
The boy swung the lever handle and
the car dropped.
'Prob1y the guy that lifted the
pearls from four-elghty two" he sug
gested.
Carnahan smiled.
"All know Is | found him in my
room? Might be-"
The car stopped at the lobby floor
an call the house cop" he said
shut the door and leave him In the
cage. He can't get out Step out
yourself, and shut the door That's the
idea Now, wait here and watch till
| bring the house cop"
He stepped forward brlskly, looking
about the lobby, as If searching for a
familiar face. Immediately two men,
who had occupied chairs facing the
elevator sprnng up and grabbed him.
each by an arm.
VERY neat Carnahan" said the
older Of the two, who seemed tn be In
command. boy, let that officer out
Of the cage, Very neat, Carnahan,
very, very neat, and you might have
gotten away with 1t, but we were TAX
ing no chances. If you'd stopped to
see that your lather cream, with Mrs
Vanderkirk's pearls buried in the bot
tom Of it, had been taken from the
glass shelf over your wash bowl, you
might have-what's thisT
He had been feeling Of Carnahan
with quick pats, and now from an
outer coat pocket he drew small
nlckel-plated cylinder, with a perfor
ated cap, from which trickled an odor
Of menthol. 1t was Carnahan's only
weapon.
mike" said Carnahan, steadily,
you know me, and you know I've al
ways been square with you. I have an
idea that Pm going on long trip up
he river, and-let me loose just
minute
The detective lOOsed him, and Carna-
han jerked away from the hand that
held his other arm. He saunt9red to
the cigar counter.
81 find that | shall be going on
little trip, Katydld," he said to the
girl land shall sarry very little lug
gage, so ] will hardly have room for
my little inhaler May not suggest
that you put IT back into stock, and
perhaps find another customer" Then,
to the elder Of the two detectives;
"All right, Mike, let's co.