"My bird," said Stockbridge. "A tame magpie I brought from Spain. It
talks."

Drew raised his brows. He continued his search of the library. Its
wealth of books and paintings and antiques almost stunned him. "I'm
looking for another 'phone," he said, lowering his voice to a whisper.
"Have you another 'phone in this house?"

"Yes. Two more. This is Gramercy Hill 9763. The one in Loris' room is
Gramercy Hill 9764. Another in the butler's pantry, downstairs, is
9765. Perhaps the others are disconnected."

"We'll see. I want that call traced before it gets cold. I know a wire
chief at Gramercy Hill Exchange. He'll help if I can get him. Have your
butler show me his 'phone. Also, we better get a trouble-hunter, or
report the cut wires. Somebody will pay for this! It's an outrage and a
felony!"

Stockbridge moved his slippered foot and pressed a button under the
larger table. He waited, then pressed again. His eyes wavered about the
room. They fastened upon the portieres which draped from the pole
across the doorway leading into the hall. His tongue moistened dry lips
as he watched for the butler.

"I'll 'phone my office," said Drew hurriedly as steps were heard in the
hall. "I'll get up five operatives--no, six--right away. This all may
be a hoax, but I've lived forty-one years too long to overlook a threat
of this kind. Particularly when it concerns a man who has made as many
enemies as you have."

The butler parted the portieres as Drew ceased speaking. Stockbridge
nodded and indicated that the detective wanted to go downstairs. The
butler led the way to the lower telephone. Into this, Drew spoke
hurriedly and very much to the point. He secured three numbers in rapid
succession. He snapped his orders in a manner to set the cut-glass
tinkling on the pantry shelves. He hung up the receiver, glanced
shrewdly at the servants about, then climbed the stairs like a boy of
twelve.

"All is set!" he announced to Stockbridge as he entered the library and
crossed to the table. "All moving, now! My wire-chief had gone home. I
got the chief operator. She's going to send the first trouble-man
handy. Delaney will be up from the office with his flying squad. I left
it to him to arrange about tracing the call through a telephone
official. No use telling the chief operator too much. The official will
go right over her head and into the heart of the thing. Now,"--Drew
pulled down the lapels of his black coat and leaned over the Ma