Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1925-07-24
CHAPTER II
In Which Scotland Yard Sits
Up and Takes Notice

w dN0 0hVS ANOkASS
Sir Bryan Johnstone, director Of
criminal investigation, leaned back In
his chair and stared at the ceiling with
a frown. His hands were thrust deep
into his trousers pockets; his long
legs were stretched out to their full
extent under the big roll-top desk in
front of him. He was puzzled, and
the report lying on the desk in front
Of him was the reason.
For perhaps ten minutes he re-
mained motionless, then he leaned for
ward and touched an electric bell. A
girl secretary came quickly into the
room.
Miss Forbes" said Sir Bryan, ~
wish you would find out If Chief In
spector McIver is In the building. Ii
so I would like to see him at once; If
not, see that he gets the message as
soon as he comes in."
The door closed behind the girl, and
after a moment or two the man rose
from his desk and began to pace up
and down the room with long, even
strides. Every now and then he would
stop and stare at some print on the
wall, but II was the blank stare of
man whose mind is engrossed in other
matters.
His eyes came round to the desk
once more, the desk on which the re-
port was lying. 1t was Inspector Nc
Iver's report-hence his instructions
to the secretary. 1t was the report on
a very strange matter which had
taken place the previous night, and
after while Sir Bryan picked up the
typed sheets and glanced through
them again. And he was still stand
ing by the desk, idly turning over the
pages when the secretary came into
the room.
"Chief Inspector McIver is here, Sir
Bryan" she announced.
"Tell him to come in, Miss Forbes"
A square-jawed, rugged Scotsman,
McIver looked the type to whom Holy
Writ was Holy Writ only In so far as
1t could be proved. He was short and
thick-set, and his physical strength
was proverbial.
"What the dickens is all this about,
McIver?" said Sir Bryan with smile,
when the door had shut behind the
secretary.
II wish l knew myself. sir" re-
turned the orner seriously. "I've never
been so completely defeated in my
life"
Sir Bryan waved him to chair and
sat down at the desk.
1--WE read your report" he said,
still smiling, land frankly, McIver, II
it had been anyone but you, should
have been annoyed. But I know you
far too we'll for that. Look here"-
he pushed a box of cigarettes across
the table-"take a cigarette and let's
hear about It,"
"Well, sir" began McIver, this Is
briefly what took place. At ten o'clock
last night as we had arranged, we
completely surrounded the suspected
house on the outskirts of Barking. /
had had couple of good men on duty
there lying concealed the whole day,
and when I arrived at about nine thir-
ty with Sergeant Andrews and half-a.
dozen others, they reported to me that
at least eight men were inside, and
that Zaboleff was one Of them. He
had been shadowed the whole way
down from I4imehouse with another
man, and both the watchers were
positive that he had not left the
house. SO I posted my men and crept
forward to investigate myself. There
was a little chink In the wooden shut
ters of one of the downstairs rooms
through which the light was stream
ing. I took 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-
left saw at the head of the table,
and standing next to IN was that
.uan ,Ialdock VINO runs two or three
of the worst of the Red papers. There
was also Flash Jim, and began to
wish I'd brought few more men,"
McIver smiled ruefully. 1T was
about the last coherent wish I remem-
ber. 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 1 am sitting In this chair,
1t Is what actually took place. Some
where from close to, there came the
sound Of an owl hooting. At the same
moment I distinctly heard the noise
of what seemed like scufie, and
stifled 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"
Involuntarily Sir Bryan smiled
"You make a good substantial In
fant McIVer"