The evening world. Newspaper, July 24, 1914, Page 11

YOOOK (Copyright, 1914, by MoRride, Nast & Co.) SYNOPSIS OF PREC are of your Paris dressmaker and your Paris gowns. Somebody knows too ‘na Much about your movements, That Lager is Sophie. Out she goes. mys a h an't take any chances now. A! folie Havers that iy tear Mmam tonde te for your comfort, Miss Ballantyne, See Te AT Sitallutint Senne se cousin of mine=-a good off soul—wns ania ‘wherealnts, @ cousin of mine—a good okt soul—who A) i] Wiehe” ee tinda a ubtramtions fiaaser, Will be @ second mother to you, and editiog in the (AHA, ap, doce Tren” Avan we'll get a colored maid of all work, vera ens. wont tt Helderm. black as the ace of spades, who never m, fot pome, reeaoe saw Helderman and never saw Mile. ean snd Mine, Ball ¢ Arany—but no more French maids, if sentative of the er is, you please.” 9 whea she gore’ 0 hee tor = finds a a Bees stat ete CHAPTER XVIII, and repeate ik to'Crag, The Inaccessible Box S even, “ HE President of th \- CHAPTER XVII. heey suln Bank in Miami was receiving two distinguished looking visitors in his pri- vate office. They were a tall man of ungainly waik but impressive demeanor and a young lady of singularly pleasing face and figure. The banker was all courtesy And attention as soon as he had read his visitors’ cards and placed chairs and a table at their disposal. ‘The tall man, without wasting words, seated himself and opened a black bag from which he began to draw documents with businesslike pre- ciston. A blue buckle, a photograph And the sketch of another buckle were ¢ exposed to view, side by side with @ pile of papers, which lay convent- ently within reach of bis long, pow- erful white hands A Plan of Campaign. (Continued.) HE drew out the precious bit of paper Leclere had handed her and brought it over to - Craik. He spread it out upon the table with excited fingers and the three bent their heads together over it and scanned it in- tently. Craig rapidly wrote down the strange words of the first buckle, that he knew by heart, and laid that portion down by the second and still mere baffling inscription: XB IVI ESAF IPSE—DOT ULAP- SINNE KBAN IMMIA. ‘That ipse was the sticker on the It's not a Latin word at It's part of a dot-ipse— first buckle. all; it's plain English. word, and dot is the rest; dv “i ee sald to the e quiet, positiv authority’ of a big financier who ade dresses a little one, already impressed it is! How perfectly exclaimed the girl, her with his importance, “in 5 the matt pea ebininey of Box Seven in your sate deposit “Now we have—BOX 7 SAFE DE- vas smiled remini ” ” rom 4 POSIT. I understand,” he said. “You reter While they were talking, Mr. Bal- Jantyne had been quietly studying the remainder of the inscription. ” to the Ballantyne estate— 04 will of an odd character.” ad tole ‘Allow me,” said the other man, “to Present credentials.” The president examined them— carefully, with the leisure of an old- hioned man. The credentials con- sisted of letters of introduction, identification photographs and signa- tures, and many other testimonials, roving beyond peradventure that Helderman, that Napoleon of the Street, was present in the flesh. “Here's one word that won't give you any difficulty,” he sald, pointing tal-looking kban. —bank!" exclaimed the " agreed Craig. “Now we in some bank somewhere. ‘ould it be? Ulapsinne— psinne"—— Pe I have been puzzling over that, “and believe it is with a complimentary “hey added it to the other ™ words and had— nek ‘E DEPOSIT PENIN- SULA BANK. “Helderman’s going to Florida. Florida is a peninsula!” cried Cras: Billie did not make @ sound; she “Right,” said Helderman, as though seeking other worlds to conquer, at have just turned my attention to it * © to the buying of New York banks. It is difficult to get them cheap. They know now that I am in Ipohed' trom: one waa to tho Other, coors chrany jeiqgn meee cee Price looktag for them to.add the final word “Care UD aky highly | —too much excited, herself, even to “%,. Ballantyne quietly drew over the paper to-him and added the final word—MIAMI from “Immia,” “There it is, my child!" he said with pathetic dignity. “Your gold and diamonds—perhaps daddy's good name—are lo Safe Deposit Box No. 7 1) Bank, Miami, Fla.! nd Helderman is on his way to Florida now—and it’s all my fault she whispered. There came a little tap at the door. Mike came briskly into the room, but halted when he caught sight of the visitors. ent by me to find out where Miss Arany went after she left here,” explained Craig to his smiling visito “What did you discover, Mike? read about. you in the New York ress,” he aid, “it was my opinion, Mr, Helderman—if you don’t mind the advice of an old man—that you wore making a mistake. Why not buy country banks—you can get them cheap enough"—— Helderman cast a secret but exul- tant glance toward the young woman at his side, and then leaned over carelessly, “Some Ume," he drawled, “we shall discuss It, you and I, Mr. President. For the present”-— The President again fumbled with his papers. “Your credentials are en- tirely satisfactory to me," he said. “There ie no doubt that you are Mr. Helderman.” “You may not understand why I am 80 particular in this case." said his visitor, “but it 1s said—it is whis- pered in the Street—though I know nothing actually of it—that there are two Heldermans.” “Brothers?” “No—I have no brother, But an- other man who makes up to resemble me-—who mimics me.” “You surprise me," said the Presi- dent, again scrutinizing the papers— an unconscious act, which caused Helderman to smile ow," said Helderman, “let's get back to the Ballantyne ettato. This ai ners une of them bran 1s Miss Ballantyne—the Miss Ballan Sete hee iinas of places, sor. Each tyne, At the outset T may say that aoe ey haa its own elevator, and {t la true tint her identity, in New ne has ite own teva them- York io dmuleed under the name ante operatake out her key of Miss Arany, But ahe is Miss Hal- Since and I gets lantyne, and I am here to vouch for Pat gecing me. When it-, She ts my ward. « er out and catch ,. “She has come here,” aaid the Pres. renee oi ind that's Ment, “to obtain access to Hox Seven, + “Exactly, Here areher credentials your old cked uv in the Penin- followed her, sor, she in one cab gnd I in the next and she went Sigaight as an arrow to the very a It's on the corner of Kiverside Drive and —th street, sor.” . Yes, the big, white marble house.” No, sor, that just ac the streo the side street. The place where this vent Was to the swell apartment that faces the south side of the mar- ble mansion.” “You lost her ther up near without ashe steps in I hold of the doo: sted to swing shut and lock it- a Sarton ciate quit like, and atter q-birin = pelationahlb — ideatity— BoE out might have mone on up SYSIVIMINE es tem. Ho d in the elevator to ticks my he Le tow en and it wasn't no see how she Koes: elevator at all i consulted a memorandum. “Now,” he exclaimed, “to comply with this crazy man's destres—1 beg pardon of the rereeniats yourself, Mike,” sald dead—have you the two blue buckles? % ' ees They complete the chain of eviden Why, 1's just as Vim telling you There,” sald Helderman, candidly, for, It wasn't nothing but a “is where you've got us, Mr. Presi- of an elevator, Just a you might say. She wasn't and there was nothing but alls and never a chip to hide the size dent. We have one buckle. We have the inscription on the other buckle— but the other buckle is missing—not by accident, but by design”—— “Your design?” queried the Presi- dent, “[ am afraid,” returned Helder- man, “it is by design of my old friend, the duplicate Helderman. But Miss Ballantyne is the claimant—the rightful claimant—and we make the claim.” under. “Th ere must have been some sliding a PatNot a bit of it, sor, I stepped In and felt every inch of wall and floor with my two hands, I did. She went into the closet—and evaporated, sor!” “All right, Mike, I may want you again presently. Are those some e on ‘The President, worried, shrugged ning papers? wo : fen, Kor, all the latest extras.” And his shoulders I'm sorry, = Mr. Mike deposited a large bundle of Helderman, returned, "But I can turn over the contents of Box 7 to you only on presentation of both buckles, Those were the terms of the trust, “Of course,” mused Helderman, could establish our claim.” “Through the courts, exactly,” said the President, “and I advise that course. The box belongs to the rigit- ful claimant. If through fraud she is prevented from enjoying her prop- erty we believe the courte would re- Neve her.” them upon the table and left the ig picked Up one at random and feverishly turned its pages. Op the fourth he read the headline: LDERMAN POSTPONES HIS TRIP “Tt Isa ruse," declared Cralg. ‘You think is going at once anked Ballantyne. Jndoubtedly, He is “we hat is our b move due time we'll go South, te our best move. But our fir “Now,” sald Helderman, “we'll is something else, It is a m bring ault—at once—here in your you to make, Miss Balla courts. Can you recommend @ law- “What move is that yer? The President smiled, “Sines you'ra ‘oling to sue the bank I can hardly send you to the bank's lawyer, but there are other good ones here in town.” He jotted down the names of two and handed them to Helderman, Helderman saw both the lawyers expectantly. “Dismiss your ser BO eed Sophie “Precisely.” “But why? She is all 1 have.” She is a bit too much for you, Miss Ballantyne,” suid Craig. “Somebody some time gave away your secret vant Sophi OOHSDOSGHOIOHOS 319000199) XK OK The Evening World Daily Magazine, Frifaay. July 24) 1914 | ic IeOROE PEOCODGHOOOQHEGSOO: @OOOSEGDOY te ecmntg e a A Complete Novel ~~ Week in The Evening World : ew first express. They walked, sidq by side, into the Miami bank, “i'd like to see the President,” said Craig. They were ushered intd the Presidents room, Asstrange man was sitting there. “L wish to seo the President,” eaid one: m the President,” returned the strange man. “Rut—the other m ho other man has resigned , plained the stra “T have President for tw “AL any rate," state our business. He atated it, laying the twoebuckles aide by aide. “rm familiar with the matter,’ said the new man. "My prewlecessor put me in possession of the facts. Let me go over the papers, if you please.” He went over the papers, scruti- nized the blue buckles with a magni- fying glass and laid them down. Then he nodded. “Foilow me, sald. They fol- lowed him, He ateppedi to a huge safe and unlocked ap inaide drawer. He took therefrdém a key. “Follow me," he repeated. They followed him, down a winding stair- case, into a stuffy little vault. “Box 7," he repeated. He handed a key to Billie Ballantyne, “Insert that key there,” he'sald. He, in his turn, inserted another. The lock yielded. He withdrew the box. said Craig. ex= been wv." Craug, “I “Perhaps,” he com + “it ie more comfortable upstairs in| my room.” Billie, clutching the box firmly to her, preceded them. They clustered about It as she laid it upon the table of the new President. “Open it," said Craig. Sho opened it. It contained nothing—except many strips of paper cut the size of folded stocks and bonds, Billie fell back with an exclamation of alarm. “T thought so," sald Craig. self. He turned to the new F WIRLIAML HansuLto OSBORNR, to him- resident. “Mr. President.” he id, “may T ask if this bank has recently changed hands?” The president eyed him coldly. “Are you a stockholder In this bank, Rutherford?” he querie am not, sir.” Tnder the circumstances then, sir, no information can be vouchsafed. [ ean tell you nothing, sir.” He told them nothing. casually and picked the latter of the two. To this lawyer he said nothing about the blue buckle or the Ballan- tyne estate “How much do you think," he queried contidentially, "I can get the Here are you with ironclad and another buckle"—— “You are right,” admitted the bank- that is the name she assnmed to Craig and Peninsula Hank for?’ —~ yo the very trouble that, His Billle—the latter weeping hot tears The law dat him. “You— arisen, But she has gone back—to of mortification—went back to New want toe buy —- the bank?" ne New York—or elsewhere. 1 don't yory, know where. She has brought suit against the bank.” “Just what we'll have to do,” sald Craig. At a glance Craig understood what had happened. Helderman had boueht the bank, had exercised dominion over said Helderman. 1 n buy it, figuratively, for a 1 dollar down and a dollar a rs ‘6 x d ocked drawers, procured that. kind of thing, you know.” That is the advisable course. Ge Seen ee karen) eas You're my siwaHelderman. That evening Craig and ‘Bille {y3"' ih 'his exultation, had sent blue “Come with strolled t the Peninsula Bank puckle number two to Billie Ballan- The two went to the bank, They —but on the opposite side of the Way, tyne, Rutherford could have killed went eeetd for hours with the The Peninsula Vank was surrounded {hg man with pleasure, But he con- President and the cashier, Vor hours by tr it was hidden from the Moon {hed himself. Helderman-—posing as a very astute —it was shrouded in shadow, It seemed financier — examined ledger after like # sleeping mystery. But it was ledger, fingered securities, ated. yp ‘not altogether mystery, For a bright columns, scrutinized certificates of light shone in one of its windows, stock, At last he sank back, satis- As they watched, this light went out. fied. Another faint light was still discerni- “If we can agree on terms, I'm with vidently the all night light tm you,” he said, t of the safe. They agreed o1 ‘9 wait and 5 saw to tha Craig rang up Crowder immediate. ly on his arrival int te i ma id again was both astounded and an- noyed to receive assurance that the New York financier was at home— and had been’there right along. “I can't make head or tall of it, Mr, Rutherfor: sald Crowder, “And that's a fact! It’s a great detective game to look wise and pretend to e,” said Crag. bank opened, Two terms, Helderman + the bank half an hour 1 on air, me out upon the steps. One {now more than you do; but this Job For Helderman 4 bought the turned and locked the door, ‘Together Aus had My gas "ver pings T a ted bank. they descenc ne steps and jt—and I've run down some very ‘On that same afternoon—almost sauntered along atu capendninay-timel The oiner at that very hour—Crowder, of the «in a moment ‘they'll night 1 passed Helderman going away secret. service, burst into Craig's pe out of the shadow and in the moon- from the house. He was carrying i eperiments ‘i light. Let's wait and see.” black travelling bag. It was my My man jorida says Helder- “prey waited--and suddenly Cralg chance, I thought. I hurried back to man is there,” he smiled. He shook caught Bi hand in his—an act due put Sims wise—and there he was— his head, “I'll berin fo oye Helder: to his excitement. Helderman, still in the house man after a while, owas ive ferman,” he exclaimed, With Crowder that night Cratg here in York last now he'® whish jelderman and the Pres- went to Riverside Drive. Oh, nO ‘dent of in Imposs —not to Heldc He's down in here in New Y don't ve," said Craig slowly, “that They walked up to the corner in front of the Helderman house and stood staring. Helderman presently entered the big white room, They saw him with his restless move- ments, his strange mannerisms, all the identifying pecullarities which the bank. By George!" drew her into the moonlight lorida and he's up Now you see him, ‘Let's go back. I want to te He urranged—to raph," elegraphed that night—by cipher Crowder in New where, Hele Tr Ggee euent York: were so Impossible to imitate auc- sat ‘ Jah bg COS! ly. moment.” he w haven't seen “ . . Mee day. But Til tell you what Saw Helderman at nine five in You see, he's at home now, Crowder remarked, “I don’t know about that,” replied Craig, vaguely, “What do you Crowder, ‘mpatiently, And before his companion could stop him Craig had clambered over the fence and was dashing across the lawn, “Look out, the dogs!” yelled Crow- der, pulling out his revolver to pro- tect his companton if necessary, and certain that the beasts would leap out at the intruder, ‘And they did. Before Rutherford had gained the door the savage crea- tures hurtled around the corner of the house, serambling to resecure the foothold they had lost while turning. Rutherford saw his danger; he was Miami to-night, Bet you a pair of boots—the twenty dollar kind, RUTHERFORD, I'll do. Vi wager you a new hi “One like this,” sald Craig, picking up a fifteen dollar specimen of his own buying. “One like that," » assurance, "I'll wag , that we see Held k to-nigh' "ll go you,” returned Craig. A few hours later he solemnly de- livered to Crowder a written order for a fifteen dollar hat. There was @ rea~ son. r he and the secret service man had visited the Drive, and through the bis window of the big house they had seen the man they looked for, busy in his bie white room, “It's Helderman,” admitted Craig, “He's in New York for sure and not mean?” asked 1 Crowder, with you a hat ike rman in New He smoked In his hotel till midnight. Then they brought him his answer, It was also in cipher—from Crowder, Translated, it said: You lose. He's here. I'll take the cash. Don't like fifteen dollar hate nor twenty dollar boots. CROWDER. The day after their return to New York Craig called on Miss Ballantyne and found her in a@ state of joyous excitement. in Florida." 2s “Think,” she exclaimed, “think unarmed, He sprang to the door and ney a4 “i What I've pote oad, “T ean't Pounded upon the soltd panels with CHAPTER XIX. iJ - a head, can't his bare fists. think well when you're around,” he said, “What have you got?’ “The blue buckle—blue buckle No, 2," she cried, He stared at tt, This was the genul open sesame that th “How did you get nded, ust came, by ma! was exultant, “Let me in! Help!" he shouted The door opened and closed, The detective, watching anxiously witl, hand on the trigger but afratd 10 shoot for fear of wounding Craik, saw the young man dragged to safiAy while the beasts snarled and Krowled, disappointed at the entrance, Ruthor- ford had played @ risky game, bué he had won. The butler recognized was very deferential, A Bolt From the Blue. JIRAIG was no fool. The grass had not grown under his feet. He knew enough of his own trust company to know that the last thing a bank would do with regard to ‘other people's property was to take risks. She was right. article—the she answered. Sh “You know what Craig, and this means,” he He had already seen to it that exclaimed, “It means another trip “You should have rung, si¢," he Cowen, Covington & Brown—and to Florida, Come on." said, “I'll have the dogs tied ‘up be- Leclore also—had served notico on They went back to Miami by the fore you venture out again.” the Peninsula Bank of the flaseo tn the delivery of the other buckle. He also took the precaution to write his own registered letter to th bank, notifying them of the clatin of Miss Ballantyne They went South, Billi father—and Craig went t In their turn they saw the Presi- dent of the Peninsula Rank, Tie President expected them Craig had notified him, G me introduce," “Miss Rallantyne.” Craig produced Hillie's credent He produced the Oret buckle, He told the whole story. “To say the least,” the President exclaimed, “this is all very confis- ing. One Miss Ballantyne was hi with fronclad credentials and Southern Are You Going Away for Vacation? When you go out of town for vacation you may find it is difficult and'costly to provide yourself with the right sort of reading matter. Why send to the city for novels at $1.25 or $1.50 each or buy them at a fancy price in some country store? You can supply yourself with the best, most delightful summer reading for six cents a week. ‘ By subscribing to The Evening World for the rest of the summer you will secure a complete nowel each week. Not some old book a country dealer has not been able to sell, but the finest up-to-date fiction by the foremost living authors. Bear this in mind, not only for yourself but for any, of your friends who expect to spend their vacations in the country. and ber > sald Crals Next Week’s Complete Novel in The Evening World LLL LILIA LILA ELL AC HALY LOA LADO LOYAL POOL LLAMA LTELALTOL DE A NEW CRIME-ROMANCE BY THE MAN WHO WROTE THE IMMORTA A New York Summer Mystery Story of Smuggted Jewels—and.a.Dictograph THE BLUE BUCKLE © © “Is Mr. Heldegman at home? 1 Mr, Helderman tempting figure. “What are they?’ “They are Horderline Fives—a mill- fon dollars’ worth.” “Are these the bonds from Miami?" hat Miam! bonds do you mean, Mr. Rutherford?” “Why, the bonds belonging to the Rallantyne estate,” replied Craig tn the most casual manner in the world. “L have now in your possession.” ‘And who was your pray?" “That makes no differene ent. Lam simply trying to trace the history of theae bonds, Are they the offers us at a very would like to see; him on a mattervot reat importane: “dust a minute; I'll see, sir,’ the butler sald, going to the white room, then turning without opening ths door, and going upstairs. Craig never tok his eyes offy the door, and listened — tnten The sound of furnituve being pulled about ame to his ews, In two or three minutes the man was lack agtin and threw open the door tusthe bigj room, as If looking in there “1 can't understand it, a aald. “I thought that Mr. Helderman was at home thix evening, but 1 do not find him, He must Have just stepped < out. Tf you vill leave any word, sit, game ones that you brought from J'll ask him 1p telephone yed.” jortda"——— Cralg knew ¢hat the man veas lying, — “Mr, Rutherford, this Is {dle! You and had gone) upstairs only! to gain time, Neverthbless, he madg the most of his presint oyportun fies, and sked arouna| with close serutiny. ‘There was, sindewd, only one the one by which he had eutered firelight flirtecrostly with itself. ‘The chairs looked as if they had? never been disturbeli. ‘The little baloony again challen ged his curlosity. “He must have gotten out that way,” be tho aght. u the right “to crosssexamine ma! tis backed across the room to ® What do you know about the Bal- point where he could command a rood view of Rho wall tmek of it, but een could see no trace of door or opmming waa the Peninsula Bank, then? xiving access to it. Hwen if it had qiag to know it!” sald Rutherford. been used ftir purposes of exit, One “Heiderman looked nettled at hii would have had to do some alight sip and took refuge in silonee, climbing to jfet up to it, Then It 00; -phig gelf-posseancd young man was curred to hia that the noise ho had hi" tht Pomseese today. heard might have been made by some — umy Kerguson,” sald Craig after one dragging} a chair or ladder Up tO ne siience had grown perceptible, TL the balcony, ‘after using it to Teach 11y0 reason to believe that there there, and thht a congealed door must Pave, reason to ee efor ale withe be somewhers about it. He reflected, ont the rightful owner's consent. 1 however, that Crowder was oWlsld® mae no charges against Mr. Helder- watching, aod would thus know 1% man here, of course, but I ask you secret of the sudden disappea to hold these bonds in our custody He tried to peer out of the big WiID- nti we can investigate them.” dow, but could see mothing; the con- “yoy will do nothing of the kind,” tragting disrkness was impenetrable yatorieq Helderman, calmly. ‘They to his evens used te Ee ctewaaae when 8° negotiable bonds, payable to ¢ foun Sims re r he seturnpd to the street, and both bearer, Tam that bearer. [ came to Jooked at chim doubtfully. “Twas in that room! 2 he asked. ‘Then how did Helderman know—or the public knowsa—that 1 have not been out of the city. The Ballantyne bonds are intact; and even if these were they I would have -a pertect right to dispose of them, as Fepresonting my client's interests You admit’ that these are the Hal- lantyne bonds?” ed Craig, still holding to a quiet tone, vold of of- fense. T admit nothing—and—and I deny negotiate a sale. You will give them back to me or buy them from me. Fou) aay “I may do neither,” Rutherford o1 “Mr. son, “T will give you a receipt for the bonds, and give you an earty decision about them, say to-morrow morn ing.” “Till to-morrow, then,” agreed Hel- rman. “Ferguson, have you heard—any tales—about Helderman these days?” anked Craig after the visitor departed. “Why, he is all the time involved in risky financial speculations—things that the rest of us would not dare tackle--but he always mani to win out with them. What “do v0. mean, Mr. Rutherford?" mean just thi Helderman will dear watching; and, mark my words, he won't last long down here. Up like. rocket, down like a atiek!"* CHAPTER XX1. The District-Attorney’s Oftice. UTHERFORD met Mise Ballantyne and her father by appointment at the had required persuasion on his part to make Billie consent to come to this awe-inspiring place; not that she feared for herself; but her constant thought was of her father and his safety; and it seemed to her that they would be thrusting thelr necks into a noose to venture thus into the law's domain. Craig, however, had assured them that their identity would be kept absolutely se- cret for the present. They were again to be Mr. and Mrs. Talcott. Mr. Talcott, in fact, was the only name by which Ballantyn known at his hotel. bia He took them to the District-Attor- ney’s office, Introduced Brooktleld and told the latter their story and Hald man Well, what do you think?” asked Craig as he finished; and Brookfield “We didn’t do «anything unusual. He just walked arq-oss the room like he was going threugh a door—only we couldn't see wi y door—and when he got there he ji¢st—went out!” CHAWTER XX. The Third Bookkeeper. - UT -£ the depths of dis- courmgement, Rutherford evolved an entirely new plan of attack; and it was in pursuance of this plan the ft he called on Ferguson, the cashier of the Trinity Trust Com- “pany, the ‘> in which he was heavily Inte seated and'expected soon to assume eictive duties. “Ferguson {" he eaid, “how does a bank raise funds quickly? Suppose the Trinity Trust needed a million dollars, this usorning, how would you raine it ‘That's a, good big question for a starter, Mri Rutherford; it has often caused fini inciers to Ile awake nights! But if I bad some good marketable securities,, I could easi)) turn them snto cash f* “At any other bank’ “At almost any other bank, But there aie certain banks which make a specialty of ceratin bonds, and would therefore take them more readily rthan othert ‘Threb days after this conversation, the comhier of the Trinity Trust was i.” vraed that J. Baron Helderman wisheal to him, and would be there, in person, within the hour. It was just thirty-five minutes later, whep Helderman came in, carrying jack bag, Which he deposited on je us he took the seat offered little matter of business for you, M)}. Ferguson,” he said, responding to ‘the cashier's cordial greeting “Be glad to do anything for you I can, Mr. Helderman," replied Fer- guson, “Well, there it is," answered Hel- ferman, in his brief and arrogant way which was calculated to impress the hearer with the idea that he was ‘too big & man to waste words. “A special bond issue?” “Yes-gilt-edged Borderline Fives. o, an old broker, Mr. Braine, was knocked down In the nar- row corridor of @ building in Broad street, He was carrying an envelope —« big brown one containing negoti- able securities worth many thousand dolla The man who knocked him down pin him to get up, handed him his brown envelope, apologized and dashed on. It was rather dark in the corridor, and the man's face couldn't be seen, Mr. Braine hurried You can have them at @ bar- on to the bank to deposit his securl- gain, I need the money, and J want ties in the safety vault, The next day fo turn these over at once. Next he had occasion to take them out and examine them, His big brown envel- ope contained nothing but blank pa- pers. The man who had knocked him down the day before had changed en- velopes with him, That man seems to have been—J. Baron Helderman!" “What makes you think #0?" “It was late, after dusk. Two men were tra{ling Helderman on another matter, They saw him, and him ouly, enter and leave the corridor, ‘The safety vault had been kept open accommod week they would cost you @ good deal mo but this week I am closing up two or three big things and can use the money to advantage. At the same time, I want as few people as possible to be advised of my affairs, “] understand,” said Ferguson, a9 d the bonds. hen he pressed a button. What's that fort” demanded the financier, sharply 5 “some one I must conmult,” Fer- minutes o time to guson answered “T'told you that I wished to consult Mr Traine: so theas two men tive an few poople as poasible,” said Mole ti) ony Helderman went the derman, vehemently, a place; and no one vise either «ne “That jan't the point,” responded tered or loft it at that Hraine Ferguson quietly, “We must alee came staggering a his mine whether or not we are in the _ », Y t “i i Beer a aartipule® heavier SaGd Taner gunn, smo mun uimaesver. #10) the third bookkeeper bi he added hen It's cle at Helderman did to the boy who had wwered HIS int" cried Rutherford, exultantly. “By summons seorme! That's sr ee SEOONL i eA nO eM oe ee y bank at Miami to admit a tall young man, to whom t's clear to tne two en who saw he bowed deferentially, +4 Helderman in Broad street, but it's “Mr, Helderman,” said Ferguson. not clear to Crowder and another “let me introduce ‘9 yow our third bookkeeper" —— “Rutherford!” exclaimed Helder. man. “What are you doing here? Are you connected with the bank?" "Mr, Rutherford very largely ¢# the nk, Mr. Helderman,” the cashier explained, “Ile is learning our tricks fi tho bottom up—nand just now the third bookkeeper's desk i# taking most of his time, Mr, Rutherford.” ne continued, addressing Craig dl- rectly, “here mre some bonds whieh man who saw Helderman nt the sa identical time—on Riverside Drive!” ‘The three callers rode uptown in the samo cab; but to Craig's surprise Bai- Jantyne refused to go with them to the West Tenth street house. “Why keep up this elaborate hide- ok, air? Rutherford questioned. Rutherford,” he said stiffly, “1 i as | have tved ever since I landed at the Monolith, Good after- noon, Goodby, ltde daughter.” Craig and Billie paused at the stepr By William Hamilton Osborne j mn informed that they are | , lowed the lady qtletty afd of the West Tenth street house. girl said impulstvely: “Come in, and [ll show you secrets of this wonde! rious house, then maybe you! isfledt" CHAPTER XXII. The 66 Strawberry vender “was *@ looking individual, within mop tangled, curly hair, which proe! him a former citigen of Italy. complexion was swarthy, and Gre large, brassy-looking rings Gra — mented his cars. * Aw he continued to nase yaa ‘ @ young woman, handeoi passed by him, ignortug ‘the treit, She wan walking somewna! and had presumably come fee: subway, after a! downtown, The merchant, » that hin berries were disdained, @l- sively until she bad entered © apartment standing ‘@pposite © mansion, on the side street. slipped in behind her béfore ehe close the door. Bo quietly had he come, that, wave a little scream as she turséd and saw him. Tne decor leading toe Private elevator was half open, aad she evidently ran it ‘by automate Push-buttons, for mo -attendant in sight. “What do yeu want?" cohe annoyed. “I told -you that 'I wish any of the fratt! How davergee en eee BO ao sates P, 23 “Helderman!" etre Arany—fer it wan ahe-~@urund a “What do ? Who de our” she exclaimed, ‘ y “I will tell you, ine wish Lederer it concerns Mr. 5Bbi- Teena na" abe i, maga mecent and stood \y veya 4y Arany sought to penetrate +: “How @o worth ‘fully. bers through the ‘will have all wi" command. Miss Arany ‘at to the eecret Jooked at him rs Saeesie entrance, your servant Yeu 5s ‘ing that, the oft no if ze tage, ther word and followed. a It was 8 emall, eure glass on three vod Ld dos occupants self-examination. rors never ing woman of fashion and kempt_ merchant dirty face. Neve howed no ptome "ot tear cain preaesd"s button eunk ip toe ly a such contrast as this the calmly in violation of es name, descended were very simple. As it place. It was thie litth white nwhile, the car below bagorke — ¢ acTne Tent merchant b— | ou © betrayed no out had worked {t out. He could es banker had been able to connect bis thus managed to secure a means of evident that the mansion end Irene Arany unlocked t his feet, He was ina dark back ball parently unobserved, and the 4 panelling. ‘The elevator, Tt wan the same one whens rious disappearance had so Michael Gooley, and its second chamber, or story, above it came down into which Mike had stuck bis dered hend. cess to an underground passage fed to the banker's luxurious bome ‘The ragged street never travelled this route before, surprise, he metaphorioally ‘took his hat to the genius of the man how, fuotepithe guise of a plumbing and heating system, the mansion and his apartment house without exciting suspicion, and had exit and entrance to his home with- out feur of detection, For It was apartment house had been and built by the same hand. door, and the man following her the rich nap of heavy carpet or lobby of the marble house, Then ascended some back s was ushered into a small den oF '@i- nve jutting off the hall, For the first time since they had started from the apartment, Mise Aruny spoke, “i have a9 terribly divty fmee, Mr. Craig Rutherford!" she observed, ‘t doubt it!" the amateur merchant replied with a laugh, Irene Arany, however, 4i@ wot taugh Why did you watch ma, today and how did you know about the un derground passage demanded. “Which question firrt The last one.” “Po tell you the sober trath, Tem Know about it; 1 just deduced tte" “Humph. Adding amateur detec. tive to your other sceomp!ishy eh” This time, however, 1 am afral "pped even your OMe Do you realiae tMpt ye placed yourself wholty with+ in my pow and that J am not tam. ing any ch s these daust” (To I ued, fe Contin L “RAFFLES” STORIES Thousandth Woman »y E. W. Hornung, author ot “RAFFLES,” Et. | rahe This Book on the | Stands Will Cost You $i. ¥ .