The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 1 — page 160: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

160 THE MAJOR’S PLOT. no doubt Eugene Maillard. I feel confident that he is now sleeping soundly at No. 1622 Cumberland Street, where he held his interviews with Frank Barret. He has probably rented this room under an assumed name, and hopes to remain in hiding there until he can leave the city in safety.”’ ‘“He is a desperate character,’’ said Major Penrose. ‘‘I should advise you to lose no time in arresting him.’’ ‘“I agree with you,’’ responded the chief. ‘‘We will start at once. Your party, of course, will wish to see the thing through. I will procure a couple of cabs, and take a squad of officers with me. Mr. Medcroft can go along if he wishes, and your carriage, major, can follow in the rear.”’ In the confusion that ensued Major Penrose whispered a few words of hope in Frank Barret’s ear. ““Come round to the bank as usual in the morning, Frank,’’ said Mr. Medcroft. ‘‘I want to see you. You had better go straight home now. Your mother may be alarmed at your absence.’’ ‘And don’t you intend to arrest me?’’ gasped Frank in bewilderment. ‘“God bless you, Mr. Medcroft, and you, too, Major Penrose.”’ He walked unsteadily from the room and was gone. CHAPTER XL.—IN WHICH THE VILLAIN IS "TRACKED. TEN minutes later two cabs and a carriage rattled up Third Street through the deserted city. It was still raining, and the wet asphalt threw grotesque shadows ahead of them as they passed under the electric globes. ‘The illuminated clock on the capitol pointed to four as they crossed State Street, and ten minutes later they rolled into Cumberland Street and drew up at the curb a few doors from the grim, three story brick house that was numbered 1622. The electric light shone dimly on the tin sign ‘‘ Rooms to Let.’’ Chief Burns sent four officers to invest the rear of the house by way of the back yard, and when a sufficient time had elapsed for them to reach their post he pulled the front door bell. A moment later the third story window was raised. ‘‘What’s wanted ?’’ inquired a voice from above. ‘““Come down quietly,’’ replied the chief. ‘‘ Important business. ”’ Five minutes passed, and then Mrs. Lee opened the door with a lighted candle in her hand. ‘‘ Sorry to trouble you, madame,’’said the chief politely, ‘‘ but you havea lodger whom I wish to:see. He came here about ten o’clock last night.”’ ‘Then it must be Mr. Andrew Drummond,’’ said the landlady, ‘‘ the man who travels for a book firm. ‘This is the first night he has been here since—why, law bless me, there he is now. I thought he was sound asleep in bed.’’ She pointed a trembling finger at Major Penrose, who was standing behind the chief. ‘“You are mistaken, madame,’’ said the chief with a smile, ‘‘ but Mr. Drummond is undoubtedly the man I wish tosee. Show us to his room at once.”’ | EOomicbooks