The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-07-31
CHAPTER III-Continued

OG1fAx EN 11A-NOMGlnuC0
-
In blissful ignorance of the sad
plight of the clerk below, two men
were sitting in this room, deep in con-
versation. In chair drawn up close
to the desk was no less a person than
Charles Latter, NJ. P, and it was he
who was doing most of the talking
But it was the other man who riveted
attention: the man who presumably
was Mr.. Atkinson himself.
At first he seemed to be afflicted
with an almost phenomenal stoop, and
it was only when one got nearer that
the reason was clear. The man was
a hunchback, and the effect it gave
was that of huge bird of prey. IN
like most huhchbacks, his legs were
of normal length, and as he sat mo-
tionless in his chair, hand on each
knee. staring with unwinEing eyes at
his laxative companion, there was
something menacing and implacable
in his appearance. His hair was gray !;
his features stern and hard; while his
\ mouth reminded one of a steel trap
But it was his eyes that dominated
everything-gray-blue and piercing
they seemed able to probe ones inner
most soul. A man to whom it would
be unwise to liza man utterly un-
Scrupulous in himself, who would yet
punish double-dealing in those who
! worked for him with merciless sever
ity. dangerous man.
$50 you went to the police, Mr.. Lat
ter" he remarked suavely. "And
what had our friend Sir Bryan john
stone to say on the natter?'
"At first. count, he didn't say much.
In fact he really said very little all
through. But once he looked at the
note his whole manner changed.
could see that instantly. There was
something about the note which in
terested him.
"Let me see it." said the count,
holding out his hand.
81 left it with Sir Bryan" answered
the other "He asked me to let him
keep it. And he promised that
should be all right"
The counts lips curled.
sit would take more than Sir BRYAN
Johnstone's promise Mr.. Latter, to in
sure your safety. Do you know whom
that note was from?"
81 thought, count" said the other a
little tremulously-"I thought it might
be from this mysterious Black Gang
that one has heard rumors about"
"It was" replied the count tersely.
"Heavens!" stammered Latter.
'Then it's true; they exist"
"In the last month";" answered the
hunchback, staring fixedly at his
frightened companion, NEARLY twenty
of our most useful men have disap-
peared. They have simply vanished
into thin air. / know, no matter how.
that it is not the police: the police are
as mystified as we are. But the po-
lice. Mr.. Latter. whatever views they
may take officially are in all probable
ity unofficially very glad of our
friends disappearance. At any rate
until last night"
"What do you meanY asked the
other.
Last night the police were baked
of their prey, and McIver doesn't like
being baked. You know Zaboleff was
sent over?"
Eyes, of course. That is one of the
reasons came around tonight. Have
you seen him?'
II have not" answered the count
grimly. 1.-The police found out he was
coming"
Mr.. Latter's face blanched: the
thought of Zaboleff in custody didn't
appeal Ito him. 1t may be mentioned
that his feelings were purely selfish
Zaboleff knew too much.
But the Count was speaking again.
A faint sheer was on his face; he had
read the others mind like an open
book.
"And So" he continued, did the
Black Gang. They removed Zaboleff
and our friend Waldock from under
the very noses of the police. and, like
the iwenty others, they have dlsap-
pear d."
10y Cdr There was no doubt
nc~ about Mr.. Latter's state of mind.
And now they've threatened me-"
"And now they've threatened you"
agreed the count. "And you, am
glad to say, have done exactly what !
should have told you to do, had seen