e gink robbin'
that house, at that. But that's them guys funeral if you beat 'em to
it. Good-night--much obliged. But I got to slip it to you, gov'nor--you
ain't none of them Central Office flat-feet, sure 'nuff! If you are a
detective, you're some fly cop!"

CHAPTER IV. A SCIENTIFIC NOVELTY

In a private ward room at Bellevue Hospital, Captain Cronin was just
returning to memory of himself and things that had been. Shirley arrived
at his cot-side as he was being propped up more comfortably. The older
man's face broke into game smiles, as the criminologist took the chair
provided by the pretty nurse.

"Thanks, I'll have a little chat with my friend, if you don't think it
will do him any harm."

"He is better now, sir. We feared he was fatally injured when they
brought him in. I'll be outside in the corridor if you need anything."

She left not without an admiring look at the big chap, wondering why he
wore such disreputable superstructure with patent leather pumps and
silk hose showing below the ragged overcoat. Strange sights come to
hospitals, curiosity frequently leading to unprofitable knowledge: so
she was silently discreet. Shirley's garb was not unobserved by the
detective chief. Monty laughed reminiscently at the questioning glance.

"These are my working clothes--a fine combination. I nabbed two of the
gang. But what became of you?"

"Outside that club door, I wanted to save time for us both. I took
the first taxi in sight. Before I could even call out to you, the door
slammed on me, the shades flopped down, the car started up--the next
thing I knew this here nurse was sticking a spoon in my mouth, a-saying:
'Take this--it's fine for what ails you!'"

"I wonder if it could have been the same machine they left at Van
Cleft's? I will tell you how things progressed." So he did, leaving
out only the confidence of Professor MacDonald. The Captain became
feverishly excited, until Shirley abjured him to beware of a relapse.
"You must be calm, for the next twenty-four hours: there will be much
for you to do, even then. Meanwhile, let me call up your agency; then
you give them instructions over this table telephone to let Howard Van
Cleft interview the little chorus girl, with his friend. I'll be the
friend."

"I'm afraid I'm going to be snowed under in this case, Monty. The finest
job I've had these dozen years. But you're square, and will do all you
can."

"Old friend, I'll do what I can to make V