Part 5 (1/2)

”That's all!” said Drew in dismissal. ”Here's a dollar. Keep still about your visit here. We may want you later.”

”Want you later,” repeated the magpie.

Drew turned toward Stockbridge as the lineman shuffled through the portieres. ”Queer,” he said. ”Tall fellow, eh! That's the man who cut in and threatened you. We'll get him! I'll go out and see if Delaney has arrived. Two hours of the twelve have pa.s.sed. Ten more should see you safely out of it.”

CHAPTER THREE

”THE MAN IN OLIVE-DRAB”

Triggy Drew stood on the marble steps of the Stockbridge mansion. The butler had just helped him on with his coat. The door had closed softly. The outer air gripped with cold that crackled. A soft snow was falling upon the city. It blurred the view of the Avenue, as seen to north and south. It wound the opposite buildings with a shroud of winter.

The detective squared his shoulders, thrust his hands in his pockets for warmth, and hurried out between the iron-grilled gates, which stood slightly ajar. He hesitated a moment on the sidewalk. Again he glanced up and down the Avenue. The soft purring of a motor sounded. A taxi churned through the snow. It came to a slow stop at the opposite curb.

The glow from an overhead arc showed that this taxi was crammed black with men.

”That's Delaney and his squad,” said the detective turning up his collar. ”He's late.”

Drew crossed the Avenue on a long diagonal. He eyed the alert chauffeur. He rounded the taxi and jerked open its door. The orders he whispered to the squad of operatives were terse and to the point.

”Keep Stockbridge's block covered,” he said. ”Watch all four corners.

Two of you get into the alley, back of the house, and climb the fence.

Keep your eyes on the junction-box and the telephone wires. Don't let anybody touch them. All out, now. It's a big job with double-pay, men!”

The cramped operatives climbed out and stood on the sidewalk. They glanced from Drew to the towering spires of the Stockbridge mansion.

Their eyes grew hard with calculation.

”She's big,” repeated Drew. ”You know who lives there? He's been threatened twice. Somebody gave him twelve hours to live. Two of the twelve are gone. It's up to us to see that nothing happens in the next ten.”

Delaney touched his hat. ”All right, Chief,” he said. ”We'll see. I'll answer for the boys I brought. I'll get rid of this taxi.” The operative turned toward the driver.

”Keep it around the corner on the side street,” Drew ordered. ”Have him turn and head this way. We can't tell what minute we will need him.”

Delaney gave the order. He paired off the operatives and sent them hurrying through the snow. Drew noticed that he had brought six men for the a.s.signment.

”Good,” he said as the last operative disappeared. ”Six is better than five. This thing is widening out. I wouldn't wonder if we needed more, before the night pa.s.ses.”

”What's coming off?” asked Delaney with an Irish grin. ”Another stock scandal like the Flying Boat one?”

”An echo of it--perhaps,” said Drew. ”It's dog eat dog, I guess.

Stockbridge is no saint. Some man with a whispering--consumptive voice has 'phoned him the news that he was going to die before daylight. I don't think he is. Not if I can help it.”

”Who did he rob this time--the old devil!”

”He's retired. It's a case, perhaps, of thieves falling out in high places. Remember how Stockbridge beat Morphy to the District Attorney and told all he knew, and went before the Grand Jury? Morphy may be behind this threat-by-wire.”

”Morphy's behind bars, Chief!”