ked out the ever ready police card and fire badge, which
seemed official enough to satisfy the driver.

"Quick now, or I'll run you in, too, for refusing to obey an officer.
You men climb into that back seat. Driver, beat it now to Thirty-nine
West Forty Street, if you need that twenty-five dollars. I'll sit with
them. I don't want any interference so I can come back and nab the rest
of their gang."

His authoritative manner convinced this new ally, and he climbed into
the car, facing his prisoners, with the two weapons held down below the
level of the windows. Pedestrians and other motorists little recked what
strange cargo was borne as the car raced down the broad thoroughfare.

In nine minutes they drew up before the Holland Agency, a darkened,
brown front house of ancient architecture. The chauffeur sprang out to
swing back the door.

"Go up the steps, and tell the doorman that Captain Cronin wants two men
to bring down their guns and handcuffs and get two prisoners. Quick!"

The street was not empty, even at this hour. Yet the passersby did not
realize the grim drama enacted inside the waiting machine. Hours seemed
to pass before Cronin's men returned with the driver, as much surprised
by the three strange faces within the machine, as he had been.

"You take these men upstairs and keep them locked up," bluntly commanded
the criminologist. "They're nabbed on the new case of the Captain's
which started to-night, I'm going over to Bellevue to see him." His
voice was still disguised, his features twisted even yet.

The men gave him a curious glance, and then obeyed. As they disappeared
behind the heavy wooden door, Shirley stepped into a dark hallway, close
by. He lit a wax match to give him light for the choosing of the right
amount, from the roll of bills which he drew forth. The chauffeur
whistled with surprise at the size of the denominations. The twenty-five
were handed over.

"Thanks very much, my friend," and the face unsnarled itself, into the
amiable lines of the normal. The voice was agreeable and smooth, which
surprised the man the more. "You took me out of a ticklish situation
tonight. I don't want any mere policemen to spoil my little game. Please
oil up your forgettery with these, and then--forget!"

"Say, gov'nor," retorted the driver, as he put the money into the band
of his leather cap. "I ain't seen so much real change since my boss got
stung on the war. I ain't so certain but what you was th