The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-10-06

AT his retraction, the Doctors own
turbulence lessened and his tone grew
more restrained. -
well, haven't, Rankin. The fact
that Laura and / were once s.
friendly has nothing to do with 1t. And
since we separated almost year ago,
haven't the least idea what has hap
pened between her and the boy"
Rankin shrugged as he rose to his
feet. Perhaps l was mistaken" he
admitted placatingly. "For the mo-
ment, shall have to take your word
for it. And as it is SC late, had bet
ter go. But warn you, Doctor Prince,
If / find any fresh cause for suspicion,
shall return for an explanation"
"You'll just be wasting your time"
Doctor Prince returned. Its no good
your trying to bluff me into admitting
another thing. have nothing to hide,
and have told you all know"
Still apologize, the detective per-
mitted himself to be ushered out of the
INV anu LuC pAy0tSl0A 1ColoChSCs
But once the door closed behind him.
his manner altered; grim and deter
mined, it developed the nervous vital
ity and urgent haste Of one who has
decided on definite course Of action.
In the dark around the corner, out of
sight of the house ON Harker street, he
summoned the two detectives posted
outside to aid him.
listen to my instructions care
fully" he directed crisply, "and carry
them out to the letter. From now on.
you are to maintain close watch on
Doctor Prince Wherever he goes, fol
low him; don't let him out of your
sight. You understand, l don't want
him to escape before arrest him"
The younger of the two nodded.
20. K, sir, we'll see to that. He
won't have any chance to, sir"
'Then arrange Immediately with the
telephone company" Rankin continued.
ito have his wire tapped. and every
call or message. he sends overheard.
Particularly i'll he makes any long-dis-
lance calls to Mrs. Laura Jordan at
the Quaker hotel in Philadelphia. I
am anxious to learn If he attempts to
warn her of my visit"
do you expect him to get in touch
with herr" the other plain-clothes man
asked.
"That all depends. | was forced to
disclose my cards rather fully to com.
pei him to speak: and he may consider
1t necessary to inform her I am on
their trail. It's more probable, though.
that he'll suspect he is being watched
and won't risk it. He denied knowing
where she is and to communicate with
her would be to play into my hands
and prove the connection between
them" The detective paused a mo-
ment. snow" he said suddenly, "can
you tell me how to find the Central air.
port of st. LOUISE"
At the unexpected question. both
sleuths looked temporarily perplexed.
The younger one comprehended first.
Central airport? Oh, that's Lam
bert field. about twelve miles north
west Of here it's good distance out
side the city. II you want to reach 1t
in hurry. your best bet is to hire a
machine or taxi to drive you out"
swell, I do" Rankin returned
promptly. Captain Chambers is wait
ing to hear from me; phone him to
meet me there as quickly as he can
get to it. Tell him I intend to take
plane back to Philadelphia immedi-
ately."
There was still much for him to &C.
complish in st. Louis. he realized. to
complete his investigation. He ought
to make inquiries Of tenants in the
Somerset apartments for data about
the actress establishment there, for
both her husband and her lover. The
maid who served her. If he could To-
cate her, might be able to supply him
with evidence, Unknown to Laura, Of
the Intrigue; perhaps she could even
identify Doctor Prince as her para
mour. And at the Fenton hotel, ques-
lions about Myra Prentiss' sojourn
there, posing as Laura Du Monte,
should prove productive. But it was
all routine work that could be man.
aged later, or possibly undertaken by
the st. Louis authorities after his de-
parture. At that moment, he was
only concerned with the urgent need
of returning home before the morning
was over.
Rankin took leave Of the two de-
tectives and hailed cab. whose
driver, obeying his order to disregard
traffic regulations. brought him to
Lambert field in half an hour. It was
already one o'clock; but despite the
late hour, a plane roared of into the
darkness, circling west, just as he ar
rived. Typical of all airports. be-
wildering variety of red, green and
white lights cleaned from unexpected
places. Several searchlights swept the
night, revolving on skeleton-like tow
ers. An incandescent blue light flood
ed the fiat wide field itself with the
brilliance of day; its glare was re
fected in the CLASSY stare of the low.
arched plane hangers behind 1t. The
main building and waiting room, near
the road, still disclosed signs of activ-