Part 26 (2/2)
”This Delaney? ... No! ... Who?... Nichols? ... Harry Nichols? h.e.l.lo, Nichols! ... Is Delaney there?”
The big operative's voice sounded with a rasp on the wire. ”What's the news?” asked Drew. ”What's that you've been telling Harrigan? Something about a coffin? A coffin? What--a casket? A hardwood casket. I'll be right up! I'm coming!”
The detective's olive face was the color of burnt pottery as he flipped the receiver on the hook, thrust his knee against the door and charged out of the booth and into the drug-store. He wheeled, turned his coat collar up, drew down his hat and dashed outside as an astonished clerk leaned over the prescription counter and stared after him.
The message that Delaney had sent over the snow-crusted wires, and along the underground conduits, was laden with menace. It drove Drew westward through the drifts like a man who had a whip held over him. He crossed two avenues before he sighted a taxi. He charged after this, sprang to the running board, and shouted into the driver's m.u.f.fled ear.
”Drive like sin--full speed and more--up Fifth Avenue! I'll tell you when to stop! The devils are not going to kill that little lady if I can help it,” he added, as he opened the door and climbed inside the taxi.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
”THE CLOSING NET”
Night was falling upon the greatest city in the world. After night would come the myriads of electric lights in the huge Broadway signs--the surface cars creeping through the snow-fall like glow worms--the m.u.f.fled pedestrians and the chain-tired taxis, with their well-groomed patrons, hastening to ballrooms, cabarets and theaters more luxurious than any dreamed of by Lucullus.
Into the tide of this forming stream of wealth, Drew's taxi turned and ground northward through the drifts. The detective had given no definite address. He wanted the air of the Avenue for at least two blocks, before he reached the Stockbridge mansion. He signaled as a familiar corner came in view. He turned his overcoat collar up to his chin and stepped out, as the driver brought the taxi to a slow stop at the curb.
”Stay around the corner!” he ordered. ”Stay, till I send word. Here's a dollar for supper. Get that and wait!”
The driver touched his cap and reached for the bill. Drew swung northward, threw back his head, and plowed along the snow-laden sidewalk. Delaney's statement over the telephone had stirred every drop of red blood in his body. Loris was in danger! This nerved him on. He clenched his gloved fists as he reached the first side street. He crossed the wheel-churned snow, with his lips gripped in a hard white line. His eyes raised in heavy-lidded scrutiny of the towering turrets and spires of the mansion. Lights shone from its windows as if in defiance to the powers of darkness which encompa.s.sed the dwelling.
A snow-crusted form stepped out from a bas.e.m.e.nt shelter. Drew raised his arm as a barrier when a figure of a man lurched in his direction.
”h.e.l.lo, O'Toole!” he blurted, recognizing the operative. ”What are _you_ doing here?”
O'Toole jerked a mittened finger in the direction of the mansion. ”Our lad's in there,” he said, thras.h.i.+ng his arms and flipping his finger for a second time. ”Harry Nichols!” he explained.
”S--o! The whole case seems to be gathering again. Every clue leads this way now. What did you learn to-day?”
O'Toole yawned. ”I got on the job early,” he said with frosty breath.
”I waited. The lad came down. He got in a taxi and I'm right after him.
First he went to the Quartermaster's Offices at the Battery. Then he went to Governor's Island. From there I trailed him to the Red Cross Headquarters. He 'phoned Gramercy Hill 9764, at least three times.”
”To the girl in the case?”
”Yep, Chief! He's gone on her. He tended to some funeral matters connected with Stockbridge, bought some flowers--three dozen lilies of the valley--then came on up here. I've been waiting a long time.”
”Seen anybody about?”
”Delaney and some Central Office men--that's all! Shall I stay here?”
”Not here! Jump back in the alley and watch the junction-box. I think Delaney has been there. You'll find the snow melted in spots. Plant somewhere, and keep your eyes open. Grab anybody you see tampering with the wires to the house. I'm looking for trouble to-night. They threatened Loris with a letter this afternoon.”
Drew did not stop to explain. He hurried on ahead of O'Toole, turned at the iron-grilled gate, pa.s.sed through and pressed the b.u.t.ton.
A Central Office man with a gold-badge showing, jerked the door open and glanced out. He blinked sagely as he recognized the detective.
”All right!” said Drew. ”Let me in!”
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