The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-11-03

| rev men TO whom ne would care en-
trust 1t. For the enterprise included
measure OF risk and demanded eau
ton; II had more thar a slight tinge
| of illegality.
sition, Dam" Rankin said. 1T may not
agree with your principles; and If you
don't think you ought TO take IL up,
| just say so. I'd tend to IL myself. only
there's this trip to the Morton club
tonight, and tomorrow the boys guar
dian arrives. And this needs prompt
action"
| THAT sounds rather serious, Tom
| N.Y." Gilmore commented curiously.
IL hardly suppose though, that I'm
more squeamish about resorting to a
subterfuge than anyone else. At any
moment"
Rankin nodded his head. THAT Is
one reason ! brought this matter to
| you. The other Is that I'd hesitate TO
| propose ii to most of the force. You
see, | want young Buckley's belong
ings and apartment searched thorough
ly without his knowing anything
| about it."
Gilmore hitched back In his chair
for moment, putting meditatively.
We'll. Tommy" he gave his de-
| cision, at length, ''it's your case and
! you know the best way to treat 1t. ]
suppose could manage 1t for you"
"Good!" Rankin exclaimed. gratified
"Of course, you'll have to wait until
Buckley is absent; tomorrow morning
during his classes would probably be
| the safest time. It's doubtful IL he
| could make trouble for us. but watch
your step. We don't want any en-
barrassment that can be avoided"
"You needn't worry about my get
| ting into JAM" Gilmore smiled
| family at his advice. "All you have TO
| do is to let me have the apartment
| address,"
For a while, the two detectives dis
cussed various other matters of mu-
tual interest until Rankin left head.
quarters at eight-forty-five. AS prear.
ranged, he met Larry Palmer at West
Philadelphia station for their visit to
the club together.
He had instructed Palmer in ad-
vance how to present him. Their ar
rival automatically rang buzzer; and
to the staring eyes that appeared at
the slit In the portal, the boy ex-
planned:
"Pm Larry Palmer. You remember,
Ralph Buckley introduced me here
yesterday evening"" He spoke con.
vincingly. 1--WE brought along q
friend, Bill Kendall"
Rankin stood gazing about with all
the apparent curiosity of stranger !;
his hat, drawn at rakish angle, we'll
nigh hid his features. For moment
the piercing inquisitive eyes studied
both in silence. Then there came a
grunt and the click of bolt thrust
! back In its socket tall muscular
individual with lowering brows swung
| the door wide and permitted them to
pass in.
There were no customers at the
tables, and Larry Palmer designated
one of them, close to the entrance
"That rs where Ralph and | sat-" ne
stated. Later we intended looking
| about the place; we might even have
! taken a flyer at the wheel upstairs
But first, Ralph suggested a glass or
two"
The detective took chair beside 1t.
To account for his interest in Buck
ley's movements. he had prepared a
credible fiction about Palmer's desire
to prove that after leaving the club,
| he had visited a mutual girl friend
Supposedly, Buckley denied doing so !:
| and his friend. so the waiter would be
| given to understand. hoped, as a jest
| to lay bare the misstatement. The de-
| tective considered II less suspicious
to approach the waiter first, before
| the doorman.
But the instant the waiter emerged
| from a door behind the steps. he real
lied the futility of his wish to remain
| incognito. The sight of Rankin pro-
| duced almost ludicrous results. The
man stopped completely; recognition
brought a look of mingled amazement
and apprehension to his sharp eyes
| and wizened ferret-like countenance.
For an appreeiable time, he stood mo-
tionless; then he vanished precipitately.
| Amusement twinkled In Rankin's
eyes. $50 that's what has become Of
| Nick Luccia," he remarked cheerfully.
81 often wondered; it is two years
since l saw him last and I've rather
| lost track of him. i. Well, 1t seems
we will have to finish this business in
the usual manner, after ALL"
"That was the fellow who served
u.s." Palmer said, new respect in his
tone. "You gave him quite shock,
sir"
"It isn't any wonder" the detective
| Informed him. "Nick was one of the
most clever pickpockets and petty
thieves in the East; he got away with
murder until | was instrumental In
sending him up for two-year stretch.
That was five years ago. and he has
evidently been laying low"
The waiter returned, talking volubly
to a heavily built. well-dressed man,
whose crafty look and florid face Ran
kin at once knew as the club proprie-
tors. The recognition was mutual.
For all Gussie Morton's affability In
greeting the detective. the encounter
manifestly disturbed him.
"How are you, Tommy" he greeted
him. Its pleasure to see you" And
in some vexation, "How in the world
did you get by Cassidy at the door?"
| Rankin shook hands without cor
| diality. Hello, Gussie." he returned.
at wasn't difficult: came In with my
friend; this Is Mr.. Palmer" Com
| plotting the introductions he went on !: