dled small jobs on Shirley's
extensive real estate holdings, and he was naturally delighted to do a
favor in the hope of obtaining new work.

"Mike, I want to borrow an old pair of overalls, a jumper and one of
those blue caps hanging up on your wall. And I need some plumbers'
tools, as well, for a little joke I am to play on one of my friends."

The workman was astounded at such a request from his rich client,
but nodded willingly. The dirtiest of the clothes answered Shirley's
requirements and with soot rubbed over his face and hands, his hair
disarranged, he satisfied his artistic craving for detail. He was
transformed into a typical leadpipe brigand. Hanging his own garments in
the closet, after transferring his automatic revolver into the pocket of
the jeans, he started out, carrying the furnace pot, and looking like a
union-label article.

He reached the Somerset by a roundabout walk, passing more than one of
his acquaintances with inward amusement at their failure to recognize
him. He had arranged for Helene to invite Shine Taylor and Reginald
Warren down to call on her at the apartment in the California at this
particular time. So thus he felt that the coast was clear. At the
tradesmen's entrance, where he had gone before to hoist on the
dumbwaiter, he entered the building. An investigation of the basement
showed him that in the rear of the building were one large and two small
courts or air shafts. Then he ascended the iron stairway to the street
level of the vestibule.

"Say, bo, I come to fix de pipes on de second floor," was his
self-introduction to the haughty negro attendant. "Dey're leakin' an' me
boss tells me to git on de job in a hustle."

"Which one? I ain't heard o' no leaks. It must be in de empty apartment
in de rear, kase dat old maid in de front would been kickin' my fool
head off ef she's had any trouble. She's always grouchy."

"Sure, dingy, it's de empty one in de rear. Lemme in an' I'll fix it."

"You-all better see de superintendent. People is apt to be lookin' at
dat apartment to-day to rent it, an' he mightn't want no plumber mussin'
round. I'll go hunt 'im fer you-all."

"Say, you jest lemme in now. I'm paid by de hour. You knows what plumber
bills is, an' your superintendent'll fire you if he has to pay ten
dollars' overtime 'cause you hold me up."

This was superior logic. The negro took him up and opened the door.
Shirley entered, and peered out of the court window in the rea