The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-03-01

affected In this way before. and the
fact that he was habitually so Gym
ical and aloof. so adamant to emo
ton and impervious to outside In
fuences. gave his words and &C.
lions an inpelling and impressive
quality.
After a moment he shook him.
self slightly. as il to throw OF the
pail OF horror that had descended
upon him. and. stepping to Mark.
hams desk. he leaned over. resting
on both hands.
Don't you see?" he asked.
"Skeel's not coming. No use to
wait-no use OF our having come
here in the first place. We have
to go to him. He's waiting for us.
/. Come! Get your hat"
Markham had risen. and Vance
took him firmly by the arm.
.You needn't argue" he persist.
ed. "You'll have to go to him sooner
or later. You might as well go
now. don't y know.-My world"
He had led Markham. astonished
and but mildly protesting. into the
middle Of the room. and he now
beckoncd to Heath with his free
hand.
"You. too. Sergeant. Sorry you
had all this trouble. My fault.
should have foreseen this thing.
A devilish shame. You know
where Skeel lives?"
Heath nodded mechanically. He
had fallen under the spell of
vance's strange and dynamic i'm.
portunities.
'Then don't wait.-And, Ser.
geant! You'd better bring Burke
or Snitkin along. They won't be
needed here-nobodyll DO needed
here any more today"
Heath looked inQuiringly to
Markham for counsel: his bewilder.
ment had thrown him into q state
Of mute tndecision. Markham
nodded his approval Of vance's sug.
gestions. and. without q word.
slipped into his raincoat.
A few minutes later the four of
US. accompanied BY Snitkin. had en-.
tered vance's car and were lurch.
Ing uptown. Swacker had been
sent home: the Office had been
locked up: and Burke and Emery
had departed for the homicide bu.
reau to await further instructions
Skeel lived In 35th Street. near
the East River. in q dingy. but
once pretentious house. which for.
merly had been the residence Of
some old family Of the better class
It now had an air of dilapidation
and decay: there was rubbish in
the areaway: and q large sign an.
nouncing rooms for rent was posted
In one OF the ground.floor windows.
AS We drew UP before 1t Heath
sprang to the street and looked
sharply about him. Presently he
espied an Lnkempt man slouching
in the doorway Of q grocery-store
diagonally opposite. aud beckoned
to him. The man shambled over
furtively.
Its all right, Guilfoylc," the
sergeant told him. Were paying
the Dude a social visit. What's
the trouble? Why didn't you re-.
port:"
Guilfoyle looked surprised.
Il was told to phone In when he
left the house, sir. But he amt
left yet. Mallory tailed him home
last night round ten o'clock. and /
relieved Mallory at nine this morn.
ing. TIE Dudes st1ll inside"
"0f course he's stijl inside. Ser.
geant." said Vance. : bit impa,
tiently.
where's his room situated. Guil.
foyle!" asked Heath.
Second floor. at the back
fright We're going in. Stand
BY"
.Look out for him." admonished
Guilfoyle. "He's got q gat."
Heath took the lead up the worn
steps which led from the paveIneut
to the little vestibule. Without
ringing. be roughly grasped the
dOor.knob and shook It. The door
Was unlocked. and we stepped into
the stuffy lower hallway.
A .bedraggled woman Of shout %.
II : disreputable dressing-gown.