hone
receiver and had caused it to be actuated by the human voice so that it
would always strike in the most vulnerable part of man's anatomy--the
ear.

With this lethal instrument he had slain the millionaire, and, when
trapped and in danger of execution, he had employed the same method to
bring about his own death. It was a fitting end to a life of crime and
drug-brought imageries.

Delaney, with drawn gun and wild of eyes, burst through the tapestries
and brought up with a dizzy lurch before the body of Cuthbert Morphy.
He stammered and glared downward. He swung his heavy chin and stared at
Loris and Nichols in the gloom of the further curtains. He clapped Drew
on the shoulder with a heavy hand.

"Had to shoot him, eh, Chief? What'd he try? What--you got your foot on?"

"An electric pistol," said Drew, with a grim smile distending his
olive-hued lips. "An infernal machine, Delaney. I hope it isn't a
repeater. Cut that wire! Both wires! Get your knife out and cut through
them, quick! I won't take any chances."

The big operative pocketed his revolver with a back swing of his right
hand, brought it forward empty and ran it down his trouser pocket. He
brought out a buck-horn jack-knife, pried it open, stooped and slashed
through the two silk cords holding the receiver to the bottom of the
transmitter which had fallen from the bracket.

Loris swayed with supple limbs. She raised her hands and pressed her
unjeweled fingers against her face. She sobbed once, then turned and
threw herself upon Nichols' drab shoulder. "Harry," she cried. "Oh,
Harry--what happened? I didn't see what happened!"

The captain glided an arm about her waist and half-carried, half-led
her to a couch in the reading-room. "Rest here a minute," he said,
leaning down. "Be cool and as brave as you can. The trouble-man won't
trouble you any longer. He took his own medicine!"

Nichols returned to the sitting room in time to hear Drew exclaim,
after Delaney had reached down and lifted the receiver, "The case is
closed! This closes it with a bang! Give me that electric pistol,
Delaney!"

The operative handed it over. "Get a big rug," ordered Drew with sudden
thought. "Cover that fellow over till we call the Central Office men
and the coroner. I want to examine this receiver."

"Right here on this little table would be a good place," suggested
Nichols, lifting off a handful of ivory ornaments and depositing them
on top of a glass case. "I'll spr