Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-25
numnnzm BY EDGAR WALLACE

In another second the door closed on him; he
heard the snap of lock and shrieked:
st say. what's this!"
ct say, ycv'n find out in a day or two" said
the knocking voice of Mr.. Lomer.
Art caesed the second door, ran lightly up
the stairs anA joined the footman, butler, trim
maid, and the three visitors in the drawing
room.
"TIes well inside. And he stays there till the
check matures-theres enough food and water
in the cellar to last him week"
Did you get him?" asked the bearded Rus
sian.
Get him! He was easy" said the other
scornfully. Nov. you boys and girls skip.
and skip quick! I've got letter from this guy
to his bank manager, telling him to" he
consulted the letter and quoted to cash the
attached check for my friend Mr.. Arthur
Lomer.'" [,
There was q murmur of approval from the
troupe.
"The airplane's gone back, suppose?"
The man in the leather coat nodded.
eyes," he said, 81 only hired it for this
afternoon"
WELL you can get back, too. Ray and AL you
go to Montreal. Sticky, you get those whiskers
OF Pauline and Aggie will make Toronto, and
Wen meet at Leoni's next Saturday and cut
the stuff all ways!"
TWO days later Mr.. Art Lomer walked into
cial Bank and sought an interview with the
manager. That gentleman read the letter, ex-
anined the check and touched a bell.
Its a mighty big sum-" said Mr.. Lomer, In
an almost awe-stricken voice.
The manager smiled
I'VE cash fairly large checks here" he said,
and, to the clerk who came at his summons:
"Mr. Lomer would like as much of this in
Canadian currency as possible"
"Myl It's difficult to finance Canadian IN
dustries in this country, Mr.. Soames, but we've
made a mighty fine deal"
He chatted on purely commercial topics until
the clerk returned and laid heap of bills and
banknotes on the table Mr. Lomer produced
a wallet. taclosed the money securely, shook
hands with the manager and walked out into
the general Office. And then he stopped, for
Mr.. j. G. Reeder stood squarely in his path.
PAY day for the troupe, Mr. Lomer-or do
you call treasury? My theatrical glossary Is
rather rusty"
why Mr.. Reeder," stammered Art, glad to
see you, but I'm rather busy just now"
what do you think has happened to our
dear friend, Mr.. BERTHE Claude Staffen?" asked
Reeder anxiously.
why he's in Toronto"
$50 soonr' murmured Reeder. "And the
police only took him out of your suburban cellar
an hour agoi How wonderful are our modern
systems Of transportation! NARROW one minute,
Toronto the next, and Moscow, let us say, the
next"
Art hesitated no longer He dashed past.
thrusting the detective aside, and flew for the
door. He was 50 annoyed that the two men who
were waiting for him had the greatest difhculty
in putting the handouts on his wrists.
GIVES, SIR" said MIR. Reeder to his chief,
art always travels with his troupe. The
invisibility Of the troupe was to me matter
for grave suspicion, and of course I've had the
house under observation ever since Mr.. Staten
disappeared. It Is not my business Of course"
he said apologetically, "and really should not
have interfered. Only, have often ex-
planned to you, the curious workings Of my
mind. :"
copyright, 1930.)