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.
"I'll try to trace that call."
Stockbridge moved his chair away from the little table. Drew glided
across the room, pressed the ash-trays and match-boxes to one side, and
picked up the receiver. He worked the hook up and down with his broad
thumb.
"Hello! Hello!" he repeated clicking the hook. "Hello, central! Hello!"
He glanced at Stockbridge as he waited. He frowned as he stooped and
spoke more directly into the transmitter. "Hello! Hello!"
"Something the matter?" asked the Magnate with quick suspicion. "Don't
they answer?"
"Hello! Hello! I Hello, there!" Drew glared at the transmitter, then
tapped the receiver against the silver-plated cover. "Hello!" he
shouted. "Damn it, Hello!"
He turned. "No go," he said thoughtfully. "Connection seems to be
broken. I'm talking right out into thin air. Wonder who cut your
wires?"
Stockbridge bristled. He slid forward in his great chair and stared at
the detective. "They're cut, eh?" he asked.
Drew set the 'phone on the table and turned. "Looks mighty like it," he
said. His eyes swung over the walls of the splendid room. They rested
upon a high, ebony stand with a belfry from which dangled a gilt spring
suspending an ornate bird cage. Out of this cage, a magpie peered with
beaded eyes. Its tail extended up through the bars like a feather from
a hat.
"My bird," said Stockbridge. "A tame magpie I brought from Spain. It
talks."
Drew raised his brows. He continued his search of the library. Its
wealth of books and paintings and antiques almost stunned him. "I'm
looking for another 'phone," he said, lowering his voice to a whisper.
"Have you another 'phone in this house?"
"Yes. Two more. This is Gramercy Hill 9763. The one in Loris' room is
Gramercy Hill 9764. Another in the butler's pantry, downstairs, is
9765. Perhaps the others are disconnected."
"We'll see. I want that call traced before it gets cold. I know a wire
chief at Gramercy Hill Exchange. He'll help if I can get him. Have your
butler show me his 'phone. Also, we better get a trouble-hunter, or
report the cut wires. Somebody will pay for this! It's an outrage and a
felony!"
Stockbridge moved his slippered foot and pressed a button under the
larger table. He waited, then pressed again. His eyes wavered about the
room. They fastened upon the portières which draped from the pole
across the doorway leading into the hall. His tongue moistened dry lips
as he watched for the butler.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account