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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 21, 1926)
HKPPNF.T? n7.VTTV. TTMFQ WFPPMFP rTfVMXl rriiTTTcrv it- t a xt . xxx x mufuuAi, miN. zi, irat). rAGE THREE A Sequel to Bulldog Drummond. COPYRIGHT sv CftOK6E B. DCSAN CO. SYNOPSIS CHAPTER I. To gathering- of anar chist in Harking-, London suburb, Zaboleff, foreign ag-itator, tells of the operations of body of men who have become a menace to their activities. He is interrupted by the men he is describing (the Black Gang) , wno DreaK up tne meeting, sentencing some of the participants to condign punishment and carrying away others. A memorandum found on Zaboleff gives an addres in Hox ton, London, which the leader of the at tacking party considers of importance. CHAPTER II. Sir Bryan Johnstone, di rector of criminal investigation, hears f.om Inspector Mclver. sent to arrest Zaboleff the night before, of his discomfiture. He had been seized and chloroformed and his raid frustrated. Hugh Drummnd, man of leisure and old friend of Johnstone's ar rives and tolls of seeing the kidnapers and their victims. He becomes an unpaid agent of the police, to be under the direction of Mclver, and takes up his duties at once. CHAPTER III. A "Mr. William Atkin son," ostensibly pawnbroker and money lender, really Count Zadowa, director of anarchy in England, does business in an other London suburb. A mysterious stran ger invades the premises. Count Zadowa, after a brief glimpse f the intruder, is strangely disconcerted. CHAPTER IV In Which a Bomb Bursts at Unpleas antly Close Quarters. IT WAS perhaps because the thought of failure never entered Hugh Drummond's head that such a consiacraoie measure or success had been possible up to date that and the absolute, unquestioning obe dience which he demanded of hii pals, members of the Black Gang, and which they accorded him willing ly. As they knew, he laid no claims to brilliance; but as they also knew, he hid a very shrewd common sense beneath his frivolous manner. And having once accepted the sound mil itary truism that one indifferent gen eral is better than two good ones, they accepted his leadership with un swerving loyalty vvnat was going to be the end of their self-imposed fight against the pests of society did not worry them greatly; all that mattered was that there should be a certain amount of sport in the col lection of the specimens. Granted the promise of that, they willingly sacrificed any engagements and car ried out Hugh's orders to the letter. Up to date, however, the campaign, though fKr from' being dull, had not produced any really big results. A number of sprats and a few moderate-sized fish had duly been caught in the landing-net, and been sent to the private pool to meditate at lei sure. But nothing really large had come their way. Zaboleff was a good haul. But the Black Gang, which aimed merely at the repression pf terrorism by terrorism, had found it , too easy. The nauseating cowardice of the majority of their opponents was becoming monotonous, their strong aversion to soap and water, insanitary. They wanted big game not the rats that emerged from the sewers. Even Drummond had begun to feci that patriotism might be carried too far, until the moment when the ad dress in Hoxton had fallen into their hands. Then, with the optimism that lives eternal in the hunter's breast, fresh hope had arisen in his mind. He had determined on bigger game. If it failed if they drew blank he had almost decided to chuck the thing up altogether. Phyl lis, he knew, would be overjoyed if he did. "Just this one final coup, old girl," he said, as they sat waiting in the Carlton for the awe-inspiring rela tives. "I've got it cut and dried, and it comes off tonight. If it' a dud, we'll dissolve ourselves at any rate for the present, If only " He sighed, and his wife looked at him reproachfully. , "I know you want another fight with Petersen, you old goat," she remarked "But you'll never see him again, or that horrible girl." "Don't you think I shall, Phyl?" He stared despondently at his shoes. "I can't help feeling myself that somewhere or other behind all this that cheery bird is lurking. My dear, it would be too ghastly if I never saw him again.1' "The next time you see him, Hugh," she answered quietly, "he won't take any chances with you." "But my angel child," he boomed cheerfully. "I don't want him to. Not on your lifel Nor shall I. Good Lord! Here they are. Uncle Timothy looks more like a niangel-wbrtzcl than ever." And so at nine-thirty that evening, a party of five men snt waiting in a small sitting-room of a house situa ted in a remote corner of South Ken sington, Some easels Btood around the walls covered with hulf-finlshed sketches, as befitted a room belong ing to a budding artist such as Toby Sinclair. Not that he wna an artist or even a budding one, but ho felt that a man must have some excuse for living in South Kensington. And so ho had bought the sketches and put them round the room, principally to deceive the landlady. The fact that he was never there except at strange hourt merely confirmed that excellent woman's opinion that all artists were dissolute rascals. But he paid his rent regularly, and times were hard, especially in South Ken sington, Had the worthy soul known that her second best sitting-room BYQfRIL Jctffflf wn.it. AWce was the rendezvous of this Black Gang, it is doubtful if she would have been so complacent.' But she didn't know, and continued her week ly dusting of the sketches with char acteristic zeal. "Ted should be here soon," said Drummond, glancing at his watch "I hope he's got the bird all right." "You didn't get into the inner room, did you Hugh?" said Peter Darrell. "No. But I saw enough to know that it's beyond our form, old lad. We've got to have a skilled cracks man to deal with one of the doors and almost certainly anything impor tant will be in a safe inside." "Just run over the orders again." Toby Sinclair came back from draw ing the blinds even more closely to gether. "Perfectly simple," said Hugh. "Ted and I and Ginger Martin if he's got him will go straight into the house through the front door. I know the geography of the place all right, and I've already laid out the caretaker clerk fellow once. Then we must trust to luck. There should n't be anybody there except the little blighter of a clerk. The rest of you will hang about outside in case of any trouble. Don't bunch together; keep on the move; but keep the doors in sight. When you see us come out again, make your own way home. Cnn't give you any more detailed in structions because I don't know my self what may turn up. I shall rig myself out here, after Ted arrives. You had better go to your own rooms and do it, but wait first to make sure that he's roped in Ginger Martin He glanced up as the door opened and Jerry Seymour sometime of the R F. G. put his head into the room. "Ted's here, and he's got the bird all right. Unpluasantjlooking bloke wun a nattenea lace. Right." Drummond rose, and crossed to a cupboard. "Clear off. you fellows. Zero twelve, midnight." From the cupboard he pulled a long black cloak and mask, which he pro ceeded to put on, while the others disappeared with the exception of Jerry fceymour, who, came, into the room. He was dressed in livery like a chauffeur, and he had, in fact, been driving the car in which Ted had brought Ginger Martin. "Any trouble?" asked Drummond. "No. Once he was certain Ted had nothing to do with the police he came like a bird," said Jerry. "The fifty quid did it." Then he grinned. "You know Ted's a marvel. I'll defy any body to recognize him." Drummond nodded, and sat down at the table facing the door. "Tell Ted to bring him up. And I don't want him to see you, Jerry, so keep out of the light." - Undoubtedly Jerry Seymour was right with regard to Jerningham's make-up As he and Martin came into the room, it was only the sud den start and cry on the part of the crook that made Drummond certain as to which was which. "Blimey!" muttered the man. shrinking back as he saw the huge figure in black confronting him. "Wot's the game, guv'nor?" "There's no game. Martin." said Drummond reassuringly. "You've been told what you're wanted for, hnven't you? A. little professional assistance tonight, for which you will be paid fifty pounds, is all wo ask of you." But Ginger Martin still seemed far from easy in his mind. "You're one of this 'ere Black Gang," he said sullenly, glancing at the door in front of which Jerningham was stand ing, hhould he chance it and make a dash to get away? Fifty pounds are fifty pounds, but He gave a little shiver as his eyes came around again to the motionless figure on the other side of the table. "Quite correct, Martin," said the same reassuring voice. "And it's only because I don't want you to recog nir.e me tlint I'm dressed up like this. We don't mean you any harm." The voice paused for a moment, and then went on again. "You understand that, Martin. We don't mean you any harm, unless" and once again there came a pause "unless you try any monkey tricks. You are to do exactly as I tell you, without question and at once. If you don't well, Martin, I have ways of dealing with people who dori't do what I tell them." There was silence while Ginger Martin fidgeted about, looking like a trapped animal. "What do yer want me to do, guv'nor?" he said at last. "Open a safe amongst other things," r-nswered Drumnionu "Have you brought your tools and things?" "Yus -I've brought the outfit,'' mut tered the other. "Where is the snfc? Kic?" "No, Martin, not hero. Some dis tance awny, in fact. Wo shall start in about an hour, Until then you will stop in this room. You can nine ,a whisky-and-s k(ii, and my (riend here will stay with you. He hen a gun, Martin, so remember what 1 nid. No monkey tricks,1' With fnscinated eyes the crook watched the speaker rhie and cross to an inner door. Standinr he seem ed more huge than ever, and Martin gnvo a sigh .of relief as the door closed behind him. The entrance to Number 5 Green street proved easier than Drummond had expected so easy as to be al most suspicious. No lights shone in the windows above: the houe seem ed completely deserted. Moreover, the door into the street 'a unbolted, and without a moment's hesitation Drummond opened it and stepped in ride, followed by Martin and Ter Jerningham. The long blacx cloak had been discarded; on.y the black mask concealed his face, as the three men stood inside the door, listening intently. Not a sound was audible, and after a moment or two Drum mond felt his way cautiously through the downstairs office toward the flight of stairs that led to the rooms abov;. In single file they crept up the stairs, Drummond leading. The door at the top was ajar, and for a while they stood in the carpeted passage above listening again. "Along this passage are the- clerks' offices," he explained in a low voice to the other two. "At the far end is another door which we shall prob ably find locked . Beyond that is the inner office," Well, let's go on wiv it, guv'nor," muttered Ginger Martin hoarsely. There's no good in 'anging abaht." Drummond switched on his electric torch, and flashed it cautiously round. Doors leading off the passage were open in most cases, and all the rooms were empty; it was obvious that none of the staff were about. And yet he felt an indefinable sense of danger, which he tried in vain to shake off. Somehow or other, he felt certain that they were not alone that there were other people in th house. But Ginger Martin had no such presentiments, and was rapidly becoming impatient. J'o open the door at tne end of the passage, if it should prove to be locked, was such child's play as to be absolutely contemptible He wanted to get on with the safe which might take time, instead of fooling round in a passage listening tor mice Without a sound the cracksman tet to work; his coarse features outlined m the circle of the torch, his ill-Kept fingers handling his instruments as deftly as any surgeon. A little oil here and there; a steady pressure with a short pointed steel tool; a iaint click. "There you are, guv'nor," he mut tered, straightening up. "Easy as kiss yer 'and. And if yer waits till 1 find me glove 'I 11 open it for yer; but Ginger Martin's finger prints are too well Known to run risks." Still no sound came from anywhere. though the click of the lock shot back had been horribly loud in the silence. And then, just as Martin cautiously turned the handle and pushed open the door, Drunimotid switched off his torch. He could have sworn that he heard the sound of voices close by uniy ior a second tney were in stantly silenced; but just for that fraction of time as the door opened he knew he had heard men speaking. Once again the three men stood motionless, listening intently, but the sound was not repeated. Absolute s,i lence reigned, broken only Dy the noise of their own breathing! And at last, after what seemed an intern inable pause, Drummond switched on his torch again. The passage was. empty; the door of the inner office was just in front of them. Almost he was persuaded that he must have made a mistake that it had been his imagination. He peered through the keyhole: the room was in darkness. He turned the handle cautiously; the door gave to him; and still with his torch held well in front of him, he stepped into the room, turning the light into every corner. Not a trace of anyone; the inner office was abso lutely empty. He flashed the light all round the walls, as far as he couid see there was no other door not even a window. Consequently the only way out was by the door through which they had just entered, which was obviously impossible for anyone to have doae without his knowledge. "It is all right!" he muttered turn ing round to the other two. "Must have been my mistake. Now then, Ginger, lets' tackle the big desk first." As he spoke he moved into the cen ter of the room, his torch lighting up the big roll-top desk. Right-ho, guv'nor. Keep th beam on the keyhole " The crook bent over his task, only to straighten up suddenly as all the lights went on. Yer d d fool!" he snarled. "Switch 'em off! It ain't safe " "I didn't put 'em on!" snapped Drummond. "Nor I," said Jerningham. For a moment or two no one spoke; then Ginger Martin made a wild dive VRIGLEYS NEW HANDY PACK Fits hand pocket and purse More for your money nnd the best Peppermint ' Chewing Sweet for any money Look for Wrigley's P. K. Handy Pack f on your Dealer' Counter n? (fr RK. for the door. But the door which had opened so easily a few moments be fore now refused to budge, though he tugged at it, cursing horribly. And after a while he gave it up, and turn ed on Drummond like a wild beast. "You've trapped me, yer swine. I'll get even with you over this if I swing for it!" But Drummond, to whom the pre sence of actual danger was as meat and drink, toojc not the slightest no tice. His brain, ice-cold and clear was moving rapidly. It had not been a mistake, he had heard voices voices which came from that very room in which they now were. Men had been there men who had got out by some other way. And Gincer Martin was trapped all of them. More out of thoughtlessness than anything else, he brushed the swear ing crook aside with the back of his hand much as one brushes away a troublesome fly. And Martin, feeling as if he'd-been kicked in the mouth by a horse, ceased to swear. It was uncanny devilish. The room empty, save for them, suddenly flooded with light. But by whom? Drummond felt they were be'ng watched. But by whom? And then suddenly he heard Ted Jerningham's voice low and tense. "There's & man watching us, Hugh. 1 can see his eyes In that big safe door." Like a flash, Drummond swung round, and looked at the safe. Ted was right; he could see the eyes himself, and they were fixed on him with an expression of malignant fury, through" a kind of opening that look ed like the slit in a letter box. For a moment or two they remained there staring at him, then they disappeared, and the opening through which he had seen them disappeared, also, and seemed to become part of the door. And it was just as he was moving to ward this mysterious safe to examine it closer that with a sudden clang, another opening appear! one m-.it h larger than the first. He stopped in voluntarily as something was thrown through into the room something which hissed and spluttered. For a moment he gazed at it un comprehendingly as it lay on the floor; then he gave a sudden, tmse order. "On your faces for your lios!" His voice cut through the room like a knife. "Behindthe des, yju fools! It's a bomb!" (To Be Continued.) SUCCESS TO BE LASTING MUST BE Exactly as it smokers,Cliesterfield its new ones-on taste alone : FROM THE STATE MARKET AGENT STATUS OF FLAX INDUSTRY IX WILLAMETTE VALLEY. Many requests for information and advice regarding the new flax indus try of the Willamette valley eome to the State Market Agent depart ment, and C. E. Spence says he has had to go to the growers themselves ers ask for is will they be warranted ask his department for. The information most of the grow ers ask for it will they be warranted in going into flax growing as a major crop; what the price outlook is, and if the two new flax mills will be able to take the production if farmers generally go into flax raising? As partially answering these inquiries, Mr. Spence quotes a farmer of Polk county, who has for ten years experi mented with flax growing, and who is well informed on all phases of the industry: "I believe that eventually flax pro duction and manufacture will be lead ing industries for the Willamette val ley, but just now a prediction as to how soon this will come would be little more than guesswork. "There seems to be considerable misunderstanding about the matter in some ways, and many farmers are under tne impression that the two new flax mills will buy flax direct from the farms and work it into the various products in their factories. "As I understand, these linen mills will not buy flax from the farmers, but will depend on the flax mill at the penitentiary for their material after the prison factory has worked the raw flax into the various forms wanted by the mills. The linen mills will then go on with its further man ufacturer into many different pro ducts. "So it appears to me that at the present time the success of flax grow ing depends very largely on the mill at the state prison and the success and enlargement of that plant. There is no doubt but the farmers of the valley will furnish all the flax the state will buy, but I have doubts about the state buying all the flax the farmers will grow, for the reason that the prison plant has its limits, and when that is reached it will have to enlarge and increase its output or w II' J a - J A private capital will have to put in like plants. One drawback is the slow process of retting and drying and the big investment of money tied up in large stocks during the slow process." One of the stockholders of the Miles Linen Mill at Salem, just com pleted, stated surveys show that 200, 000 acres in the Willamette valley are adapted to flax growing; that only about 4,000 acres were grown in 1925, and that the state contracted for about 2,500 acres. Asked what he thought of farmers going in for increased production he replied: "I have not gone into the matter very much beyond the needs of our own plan. Our mill manufactures fishnet twine and linen fabrics, and re get our material from the prison plant after they work it up for use. Whether the prison plant will be en larged to meet increased production, or whether others will put in like plants, I do not. know, but certainly this part of the industry must be taken care of if we are to make flax a leading industry of the valley, for mills must have the raw material worked into shape for them. I have been told that the prison plant has about reached its capacity." NOTICE. The Willing Workers are prepared to do plain sewing, tack comforts, sew carpet rags, etc., at reasonable prices. See Mrs. Jeff Jones for fur ther information. J B. Sparks has entered business in Portland, and is now running the Sparks Cafe at 413 Washington street, opposite the Blue Mouse theater. As sociated with Mr. Sparks is Sam Ganger, chef, and they announce that they have just the very best place to eat in the city. Heppner people in Portland are invited to give them a call. Have Loans in Force Of More Than $300,000 From the lone Independent it is learned that the Morrow County Farm Loan association held their an nual meeting the nnst wpplr nn Tnoo. day and elected a full list of officers, as ionows: w. J. Blake, president; L. P Davidson, vice president; C. B. Ruly, secretary and treasurer; A. A. McCabe, E. C. Heliker and . Algott Lundell, directors. The annual routine matters of bus- holds it inesa were transacted and the rec ords of the secretary-treasurer in ppected and approved. The associa tion now has in force 61. 'oans, to taling $325,000. One, two or three furnished and heated rooms for rent. See C. A. Minor. WANTED To rent ranch In Morrow county; prefer near Heppner. Laur ence K. Reaney, Lexington, Oregon. PROMINENT ! PEOPLE : are very apt to meet each , other at the Elkhorn Res- j tal'rant. There's just one i thing that traws them the assurance of getting choice i food, properly cooked and admirably served midst j pleasant surroundings. j Special 35c Merchants Lunch 11a. nt.-4 p. m. ELKHORN RESTAURANT ED CHINN, Prop: DESERVED I.ir,ciTT & Mybus Tobacco Co. 5 Old wins