The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-05-20

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MARTY KELLER braked hi,
1VA roadster to a stop before the
small gasoline stations one and only
pump. He switched his lights off as
the proprietor, a lank figure in
soiled overalls, came over.
"Whatll it be, Mister?" he asked
out of habit
Fill the tank and check the oil,
Marty replied, glancing up and
down the dark, deserted highway
And, say, have you got a phone?'
The man nodded toward the Of
flee as he took the gas hose down
You'll find booth inside. Help
yourself"
Marty fished a nickel out of a
pocket and headed for the booth
AS he stepped inside, he glanced al
his watch. The hands pointed to
o'clock. Plenty early, he told him
self, but that didn't matter away
out here. He dialed number.
For moments he listened to the
operator ringing. There was nc
answer. Marty smiled to himself
He had not expected there would
be; he just wanted to make sure.
TINE operator came in abruptly
a your party does not answer,
sir" she informed him. Shall /
keep on ringing?"
I'D appreciate it if you'd keep
ringing, miss" he told her in his
most agreeable tone. I'm quite GER
tain some one is at home and it's
really important that 1 get this cal
through"
III try again." the girl returned
pleasantly.
Don't bother, operator, he replied
smoothly. IT'S strange there's no
answer, though. Thank you so much
for trying"
You're very welcome" the girl
replied sweetly and her voice told
him she meant it.
Marty hung up and retrieved his
nickel from the return-coin slot. He
was smiling broadly as he walked
out. He paid the attendant for the
gas and oil, giving the fellow gen.
erous tip. In another minute he was
speeding down the deserted highway
with the cars motor wide open.
TOR several miles he kept up the
Il reckless pace; then, as he
passed a crossroad, he slowed down
to 40 and kept watching the infre-
quent side-roads. At last he came
to the one he sought but instead of
turning Off on to it he brought the
car to dead stop on the main road.
He cut off the motor and lights.
Marty sat there tensely listening.
He wanted to be sure no car was
approaching for he did not care to
have any one see him turn into the
side-road.
Starting the motor once more,
n 3rty cut the wheels and started UP
Il road which was hardly more
III n a lane partly smoothed by a
la. lr OF gravel. He kept his lights off
bu managed to make out sign at
the entrance reading: PRIVATE
ROAD-KEEP OUT"
From then on, more than one Of
f1cer of the state Police would have
given a months pay to have been
able to watch his actions.
FOR months the police had been
harried by the press because OF their
inability to lay their hands on a
thief who pillnged wealthy homes IN
outlying sections. The criminal only
entered places which were temper
arily uninhabited and unguarded.
He ransacked them at his leisure
and left no hint as to his possible
identity. Always, his crimes were
not discovered until a week or two
later, leaving the police but little to
work on
CAUTION was Marty Keller's
~ forte. He worked alone, trusted
no one and never stole anything he
could not turn into cash quickly
and without risk.
Marty guided his car carefully
along the dark, winding lane for
about two miles before he reached
his goal. a pair of tall iron gates
barred the entrance to a large,
well-cared- for ma set back
midst spacious grounds and sur
rounded by a 10-foot fence topped
by barbed wire.
Mary cut of the motor and got
out of the car carrying a briefcase
with him. The gates were locked
by a heavy bolt and in addition
were joined by heavy, padlocked
chain. Marty grinned as he took
q pair of strong cutters from the
case and applied them to the chain.
In a minute or 50 he sheared
through link and the chain fell
to the ground. Cutting through
the bolt with a hacksaw took a
little more time.
Presently he swung the gates
hjar and started up the shadowy
drive to the darkened mansion in
the background. He walked up
the wide steps to the long veranda
and went to work on the lock of
the front door with fiat steel
bar.
1t finally gave with a sharp rend-
Ing sound that echoed loudly in the
silence surrounding the place.
A BIT Of noise caused Marty no
n worry. He was two miles
from the highway and it was not