Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-25
Here Ne Haze That Quaint Detec-
f0e, Mr.. Reeder, Running Do70n Gang
of Emerald 7Hieves- And the Author,
Edgar Wallace, Is a Word Figure
Among the Writers Of Mystery Yarns.

HERE was O quietude and sedateness
about the district attorneys Office which
completely harmonized with the tastes
and inclinations of Mr.. j. G. Reeder.
For he was gentleman who liked to
work In an Office where the ticking Of clock
was audible and the turning of a paper pro-
duced o gentle disturbance.
He had before him one morning the type
written catalogue Of Messrs. WILDLY, the emf
nent estate agents. and he was turning the
leaves with thoughtful expression. The cat
alogue was newly arrived, q messenger having
only few minutes before placed the portfolio
ON his desk
Presently he smoothed down leaf and read
again the fiattering description Of fairly un-
important property, and his scrutiny was pa
tently a waste of time for, scrawled on the
margin of the sheet in red ink was the word
Let" which meant that Riverside Bower" was
not available for hire The ink was smudged,
and LET" had been obviously written that
morning.
"Humph!" said Mr.. Reeder.
He was interested for many reasons In the
heat of July riverside houses are at a premium;
at the beginning of November they are some
what of a drug on the market. Visitors do
not as rule hire riverside cottages in a month
which is chiefly distinguished by mists rain
and general discomfort.
Two reception; two bed rooms; bath,
Gas and electric light. Would let by week
or month
He pulled his table telephone toward him
and gave the agents number.
let is it-dear me! To gentleman? When
viii 1t be available?"
THE new tenant had taken the house for .
month Mr. Reeder was even more in
trigued, though his interest in the "gentaman"
was not quite Is. intensive as the gentleman's
interest in Mr.. Reeder.
When the great Art Lomer came down On
business trip from Canada, friend and %
mirer carried him OF to see the sights.
HE generally comes out at lunch time said
the friend, who was called "Cheep," because
his name was Sparrow.
Mr.. Lomer looked up and down disparagingiy.
for he had seen so many cities OF the world
that none seemed as good as the Others
There he isl" whispered Cheep, though there
was no need for mystery or confidence.
A middle-aged man had come out Of one OF
the narrow doorways Of q large gray building.
On his head was q high, hat-crowned hat, his
body was tightly encased in q black frock coat.
weakish man with yellowy white side whiskers
and eyeglasses that were nearer TO the end than
the beginning of his nose.
"Him?" demanded the amazed Art
Him." said the other incorrectly but with
emphasis.
AS IAidt the Anao u guy you &c SCakSu oUouts
You're crazy. Why that man couldn't catch q
cold! Now, back home In Toronto"
Art was proud Of his home town, and in
that spirit Of expansiveness which paints even
the unpleasant features Of ones own with the
most attractive hues he had even q good word
to say about the Royal Canadian Police-a
force which normally, and in a local atmos-
phere, he held in the greatest detestation.
Art 'operated"-he never employed q baser
word-from Toronto, which, by its proximity to
Buffalo and the United States border, gave him
certain advantages. He had once operated In
Canada itself. but his line at that period being
robbery Of q kind which Is necessarily accom-
panied by assault he had found himself facing
. Canadian magistrate, and q Canadian magis-
trate yields extraordinary powers. Art had been
sent down for i've years and, GROWING horror,
was ordered to receive IS lashes with o whip
which has nine tails, each one Of which hurts.
Thereafter he cut out violence and confined
himself TO the formation Of his troupe-and
Art Lomers troupe was famous from the At
lantic TO the Pacific.
TIN tell the world you fellows want waking
upl So that's your Reeder2 Well II Canada
IN one month than Hollywood pays Chaplin In
10 years Yes sir. Listen, does that guy park
Q clock?"
His guide was o little dazed.
Does he wear . watcha SMe!"
Mr.. Art Lomer nodded,
"wait-Iu bring 1t back to you in minutes
I'm goin' to show you sump'n."
It was the maddest fool thing he had ever
done in his life: he was down on business. and
was jeopardizing million dollars for the sake
Of the cheap applause Of man for whose
opinion he did not care q cent.
n Ex2 REEDER was standing neryouslv m thu