Adventure Magazine Cover, October 1911 — page 64: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

IOIO ‘‘A professional bruiser engaged for the purpose,’ commented the old man. He walked over to the window and gazed out at the street lights. After what seemed an interminable time, he turned suddenly to the Captain. ‘““You had a race across the ocean?”’ “Yes, sir; with the Swan under Captain Jules Lefévre. We left Bordeaux at the same time, but I passed him on the fifth day and he won’t be in for at least twenty-four hours. But he’ll be better off than I am. He’ll have his ship’s papers.” Barnes had pricked up his ears with interest. “His cargo was champagne?” “Oh, yes.” ‘And who was it consigned to?” The seaman hesitated and scratched his head with the air of one who is groping in his memory. The Chief waited anxiously for the reply. Finally, Captain La Rue spoke, slowly, as if he were not quite sure of himself: ‘*T think his cargo was consigned to Feld- spar and Feldspar.”’ Barnes threw his hands in the air with a cry of delight. “Clancy,” he shouted, “go to the nearest drug store and beg, borrow or steal a busi- ness directory! Look for dealers and agents in wines. After that, get the names and home addresses of all the Feldspars you can find.” The young man departed on his errand. The detective turned to Forward. ‘“‘Get a taxicab and bring it to the door at once. I think there will be something doing before the night’s much older!” THE cab and the addresses from the directory came at the same time. There were many Feldspars. Barnes sifted them and discarded all but two— one located on Fifth Avenue, the other on West 149th Street. The machine whizzed to the Fifth Avenue address first. It was dark and deserted. No one answered the summons. ‘‘Just as I expected,’’ commented Barnes. ‘““Now we'll try the junior member of the firm.” Not a minute was wasted in making the trip up town. Indeed, the chauffeur was twice threatened with arrest for exceeding the speed laws, but each time his air of injured innocence won his liberty. In Adventure due time they reached their destination. Barnes halted the cab at the corner of the street. “This part of the game calls for a little discretion,” he said. ‘‘It means the observ- ance of one of my cardinal rules. You boys understand it very well. Prudence in pre- paration and. boldness in execution!” The house, which stood alone, was bril- liantly illuminated. There was a clatter and a buzz of voices in the rear of the dwell- ing. Here a number of musicians, clad in gorgeous raiment, were tuning up their instruments. Four or five waiters were preparing to serve a dinner. “You and Clancy go to the back of the house. You may be useful later in the even- ing,’ whispered the old man to Forward. ‘““Where are you going?” “I’m going in the front door.” “What then?” “After that I shall be guided by circum- stances. If I’m thrown out I hope I shall take it philosophically.”’ Barnes did not go in immediately. For ten or fifteen minutes he reconnoitered. He ascertained, at the risk of breaking his neck, that a banquet was in progress in the beauti- fully decorated dining-room. The Chief glanced at his own immaculate evening dress with a smile of satisfaction. He had come prepared at any rate. He gave final direc- tions to Captain La Rue, who was posted at the front door, in case of need, and boldly walked into the hallway. A servant opened the door of the vestibule. Barnes tossed him his hat and coat with an air of con- fidence. The man smiled obsequiously. ‘“You’re late, Mr. Cozzens,’’ he said. “How did you know my name was Cozzens?”’ asked the Chief sharply. “Why, I just heard Mr. Feldspar say that Mr. Cozzens was the only one who had not arrived.” “Bright mind,” smiled the detective, and he slipped the man a dollar. He felt that it was worth that much to be furnished with a name when he was about to enter upon such an uncertain adventure. The servant was delighted. He became extra officious. He rushed ahead of the Chief and, parting the curtains leading to the dining-room, called out in a rich, sonorous, English voice: ‘Mr. Cozzens.” A half-dozen men in evening dress were seated about a round table. One of these, CO MICLOOKS CO