swung,
full-staring, upon Stockbridge. His finger pointed between the
money-king's eyes. It was as steady as an automatic revolver.

"Did you recognize that voice?" he asked sharply. "Tell me the facts. I
can't go ahead unless you do. I must work from facts!"

"No!" declared Stockbridge. "No, I did not! I never heard it before.
I----"

"What was it like?"

"Hollow-whispering--almost feminine in tone. I thought it was a woman
at first. It wasn't, though! It was a man or boy."

"Have you told me everything?"

"Yes--except this man or boy--this whispering voice, wound up by
threatening to get my daughter, Loris, as soon as he finished with me.
Said he'd clean up with her!"

"I'll take the case!" snapped Drew.

CHAPTER TWO

"THE MAGPIE"

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.