Evening star., 1930-06-15


THAT was the first of the inexplicable hap
penings. The second came when Lisk,
returning to his fat suddenly confronted
by the awkward figure of the detective.
"Is that Liski?" Mr.. Reeder peered forward
in the darkness. I'm so glad I've found you.
I've been looking for you all day 1 fear I
horribly msled you the other evening when
was telling you that Leghorns are unsuitable
for sandy soil. Now, on the CONTRARY"
Look here, Mr.. Reeder. what's the gamer"
demanded the other brusquely
THE game?" asked Reeder in a pained tone.
'I don't want to know anything about
chickens. If you've got anything to tell me
worth while, drop me line and I'll come to
your Office, or you can come to mine"
He brushed past the man and slammed the
door of his fiat behind him. Within two hours
a squad from headquarters descended upon the
house Of Harry Merton, took Harry and his
wife from their respective beds and charged
them with the unlawful possession of stolen
jewelry, which had been traced to a safe de-
post.
A week later Lisk returning from vital
interview with Ell Fahbut, heard plodding steps
overtaking him. and turned to meet the panied
eye of Mr.. Reeder.
How providential meeting you!" said Rceder
fervently. mo, no; do not wish to speak
about chickens though I am hurt little by
your indifference to this noble and productive
bird"
Then what in hell do you want?" snapped
Liski. II don't want anything to do with you,
Reeder, and the sooner you get that into your
system the better. I don't want to discuss
fowls, horses"
Waltz Mr. Reeder bent forward and low
cred his voice. 'Is it not possible for you and
to meet together and exchange conf
dences?"
Mo Liski smiled slowly.
"Oh, you're coming to it at last, Ell? All right.
I'll meet you anywhere you please"
no Wa saw in hn tha nj
Arsenal tomorrow night at 10? don't think
shall be there"
Lisd nodded shortly and went on, still won-
dering what the had to tell him. At
o'clock he was awakened by the telephone
ringing furiously, and learned to his horror
that OHara, the most trustworthy of his gang
leaders, had been arrested and charged with
year-old burglary 1t was Carter, one of
the minor leaders, who brought the news
whats the idea, Liski'" And there was
a note of suspicion in the voice of his subordi-
nate which made Liskis jaw drop.
What do you mean-whats the idea? Come
round and see me. don't want to talk over
the phone"
Carter arrived half an hour later, a scowl-
ing, suspicious man.
Now what do you want to Say?" asked Mo-
when they were alone.
"All I've got to say is this growled Carter:
"a week ago you're talking to old Reeder,
and the same night Teddy Alfeld is pinched.
You're spotted having a quiet talk with this
old dog, and the same night another of the
gang gets pinched Last night saw you with
my own eyes having confidential chat with
Reeder-and now O'Hara's gone!'
Mo looked at him incredulously.
We'll and what about it?" he asked.
"Nothing-except that it's a queer coinci-
dence, that's ALL" said Carter, his lip curling.
THE boys have been talking about it; they
don't like it, and you can't blame them"
Liski sat pinching his lip. a far-away look
in his eyes, 1t was true, though the coinci-
dence had not struck him before. So that was
the old devils game! He was undermining
his authority, arousing a wave of suspicion
which, if it were not checked, would sweep him
from his position.
"All right, Carter" he said in a surprisingly
mild tone. "it never hit me that way before.
Now I'll tell you, and you can tell the other
boys just what has happened"
In few words he explained Mr. Reeder,s
invitations
And you can tell 'em from me that I'm
meeting the old fellow tomorrow night and
I'm going to give HIM something to remember
me by"
THE thing was clear to him now as he sat,
after the mans departure, going over the
events of the past week. The three men who
had been arrested had been under police sus-
piclon for long time, and Mo knew that not
even he could have saved them The arrests
had been made to suit the convenience of the
artful Mr. Reeder
IN 'artful him!" said Mo and spend the
rest of the day making his preparations.
AT 10 o'clock that night he passed into the
park yellow mist covered everything a
drizzle OF rain was falling, and save for the
cars that came by at odd intervals, there was
no sign of life