Part 2 (1/2)

”Serious,” said Stockbridge absently. ”Serious!” he snarled. ”Yes, it was serious! It was a death threat! It was what I had expected. It follows the letter. They--he will get me! He--he----”

”Who?” asked the detective.

Drew heard the table creaking as Stockbridge's muscles stiffened--as the Magnate's hands clutched the edge of the polished surface.

”Who?” he repeated on the alert for possible clews.

”Who! I don't know! But they will--he will!”

”Easy,” said Drew. ”Take it easy, sir. This is a modern age. We are in the heart of civilization. n.o.body is going to _get_ you! I'll see to that!”

”You can't see! This man knows everything. He said that I would be dead within twelve hours. That I would be in my grave in seventy-two hours.

He mentioned the grave at Green--Ridgewood Cemetery. He gave secret details of my life which few alone know. Early follies of mine. An actress. A deal in War Babies and an electrical stock which was hushed up. I was the silent partner in that. How should this man know all of these things about me?”

”Just what did he say?”

”I've told you! He said enough! He threatened to kill me despite all the precautions I would take. He said I was marked for a death which all the police in the world couldn't solve. That I would be killed in spite of every effort to save me. What is it--poison? Have I already been given poison?”

Drew reached across the table and clutched the magnate's left wrist. He pulled out a flat watch and timed the pulse. ”Normal, almost,” he said softly. ”You're normal, despite the shock. Your temperature is fair. I don't think it was a toxin he meant. That deadens a man and brings slow coma.”

”Well, what did he mean?” The magnate had found his voice and his old-time nerve. ”What would you do in my case?” he said cunningly.

Drew glanced at the telephone. He raised his brows and swung, full-staring, upon Stockbridge. His finger pointed between the money-king's eyes. It was as steady as an automatic revolver.

”Did you recognize that voice?” he asked sharply. ”Tell me the facts. I can't go ahead unless you do. I must work from facts!”

”No!” declared Stockbridge. ”No, I did not! I never heard it before.

I----”

”What was it like?”

”Hollow-whispering--almost feminine in tone. I thought it was a woman at first. It wasn't, though! It was a man or boy.”

”Have you told me everything?”

”Yes--except this man or boy--this whispering voice, wound up by threatening to get my daughter, Loris, as soon as he finished with me.

Said he'd clean up with her!”

”I'll take the case!” snapped Drew.

CHAPTER TWO

”THE MAGPIE”

The Munition Magnate thrust a shaking hand toward the detective. ”I'm glad!” he declared raising his voice. ”You did well in the Morphy case.

That's the reason I called upon you. Now find the miscreant or miscreants, who telephoned the cemetery superintendent, and you'll not be forgotten.”

Drew glanced shrewdly at the 'phone. ”May I use it?” he asked briskly.