Evening star., 1927-03-30


unconcern as he continued
toward the corner. His acute
L senses had instantly registered
the fact that he was an obJec
of scrutiny. 1t vexed him not q little
for he was anxious to get on Heller
Hardwick's trail, and he had no relish
for another adventure with the ponce
He looked about him out of the tai
of an eve, as he advanced with lei
surely swing.
It took him but a few moments tC
pick out the watcher from among
the sprinkling of loungers and pedes
TRANS on the sidewalk. The mans
dull face and stolid expression did not
deceive the Phantom for a moment
He stood with his back against shop
window. and part of his face hidden
by a newspaper he pretended to be
reading. The Phantom walked up be
side him
You're a detective, aren't you?"
The man lowered the newspaper and
gazed at the questioner out of decep'
lively sluggish eyes.
What makes you think so?"
The Phantom chuckled. though he
knew he was treading on dangerous
ground 1t was just possible that
Granger, although he had not been
long in the. city and therefore could
not have an extensive police acquain-
tance, had met this particular detec-
tive. A careful study of the mans
face reassured him, however.
ooh, / spotted you easily enough, y
was his answer. 81 suppose you have
heard of me. am Thomas Granger of
the Sphere"
The other gave slight nod. A faint
grin creased his face. I've heard OF
you, all right. On the day you We're
pinched, they tell me, you had the
beautifuiest jag on that's been seen
in this town in many day. Why don't
you put fellow wise to your source
of supply?"
ct may" with a knowing wink, "if
you promise not to jug me again."
well, you needn't rub it in, Gran
ger. You look a lot like the Gray
Phantom. If you didn't have those
glad rags on, wouldn't be able to tell
the difference. / never met the Phan-
tom face to face, but judging from his
picture I should say you're as much
alike as two peas. BY the way, my
name is Culligore-Lieut. Culligore."
The Phantom repressed start. He
had seen the name in the earlier news
paper accounts of the murder and re.
nembered that Culligore had been one
of the detectives assigned to the case.
He wondered whether it were possible
that he and Granger had met while
the reporter was getting the facts of
the tragedy for his paper. The detec-
tive's face showed no sign of suspicion,
but the Phantom noticed that he had
an odd habit of rubbing his upper lip
against the tip of his nose, and the
little mannerism impressed him as sig
nificant Of deep and devious mental
processes.
"That reminds me!' he exclaimed
suddenly, as If just recalling some
thing. There's been a brand new
murder committed over at the Gage
house.
The detective lifted his brows.
Il was snooping around, hoping to
find some new twist TO the case" ex-
planned the Phantom. ''In a storeroom
on the second floor / found the body
Of the housekeeper. She looked as
though she had been dead a good
many hours. Pinto is lying on the
stairs with bump on the back of his
head, and he's handcuffed to a little
shrimp that looks like a dope fiend.'
Lieut.. Culligore started as he heard
the strange report. Been drinking
again
Go and see for yourself"
Culligore at last showed signs of ac'
tiyity. Better come along" he sug
gested. IF you've been telling me the
truth. there ought to be a good story
I'm il for you"
I've seen enough. Going back tC
the office TO write it up
The two parted. AS Culligore start
ed to cross the street, he made a curl
ous motion with his hand and th6