Detective Ashton-Kirk' Cases (Complete 4 Book Collection). John T. McIntyre

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      CHAPTER VI

       ASHTON-KIRK LOOKS ABOUT

       Table of Contents

      Berg was standing in the corridor waiting for the elevator when Ashton-Kirk and Pendleton came out. The big German mopped his face with a handkerchief, and said apologetically:

      "A man can only tell what he knows, ain't it?"

      Ashton-Kirk looked at him questioningly, but said nothing.

      "To begin dot guess-work business when you are talking to the law already, it is dangerous,"stated Berg in an explanatory tone.

      "Well,"said Ashton-Kirk, "sometimes a good, pointed guess is of great service, Mr. Berg. And,"with a laugh, "as I am not the law and not the least dangerous, suppose you make the one that I can see you turning over in your mind."

      "Oh,"said Berg, "you are not the coroner's office in?"

      "No; merely interested in this case, that's all."

      The delicatessen dealer looked relieved.

      "I don't want to get people in trouble,"said he, guardedly. "But this is what I guess. Late every night, about the time I shut up my place, there is a cab comes und by the curbstone stands across the street. I will not say what is der place it stands in front of; that is not my business."

      "McCausland's gambling house, perhaps,"suggested Ashton-Kirk.

      The big German looked more relieved than ever.

      "Ach, so you know about dot place, eh? All ride. Now I can speak out and not be afraid to do some harm to nobody."He lowered his voice still further. "Dot cab came last night as I was locking my door up, und stands the curbstone by in front of McCausland's, waiting for a chob. Maybe when I goes away home der driver he sees what happened at Hume's afterwards, eh?"

      "Excellent!"said Ashton-Kirk, his eyes alight. "Thanks for the hint, Mr. Berg."

      The delicatessen dealer lumbered into the elevator which had stopped; Pendleton was about to follow, but his friend detained him, and the car dropped downward without them.

      "That cab,"said Ashton-Kirk, "is sure to be a night-hawk; and more than likely it is put up at Partridge's. Pardon me a moment."

      There was a telephone booth at one side of the corridor; the speaker went in and closed the door. After a few moments he came out.

      "Just as I thought,"he said, well pleased. "Partridge knew the cab in a moment. The driver's name is Sams, and he lives at the place they call the Beehive."He looked at his watch. "It wants but a few minutes of four,"he added, "and a night-hawk cabby will be just about stirring. The Beehive is only three blocks away; suppose we go around and look him up."

      Pendleton agreed instantly; and after a brisk walk and a breathless climb, they found themselves on the fourth floor of a huge brick building where they had been directed by a meek-looking woman in a dust-cap. A long hall with a great many doors upon each side, all looking alike, stretched away before them.

      "It's very plain that the only way to find Mr. Sams is to make a noise,"said Ashton-Kirk. And with that he stalked down the hall, his heels clattering on the bare boards. "Hello,"he cried loudly. "Sams is wanted! Hello, Sams!"

      A door opened, and a face covered with thick soap suds and surmounted by a tangle of sandy hair looked out.

      "Hello,"growled this person, huskily. "Who wants him?"

      "Very glad to see you, Mr. Sams,"said Ashton-Kirk. "We have a small matter of business with you that will require a few moments of your time. May we come in?"

      "Sure,"said Sams.

      They entered the room, which contained a bed, a trunk, a wash-stand, and a chair.

      "One of you can take the chair; the other can sit on the trunk,"said the hack driver, nodding toward these articles. Then he proceeded to strop a razor at one of the windows. "Excuse me if I go on with this reaping. I must go out and feed the horse, and then get breakfast."

      "You breakfast rather late,"commented Ashton-Kirk.

      "I'm lucky to get it at any time, in this business,"grumbled Sams. "Out all night, sleep all day, and get blamed little for it, at that."

      He posed before a small mirror stuck up beside the window and gave the blade an experimental sweep across his face. Then he turned and asked inquiringly:

      "Did youse gents want anything particular?"

      "We'd like to ask a question or two regarding what happened last night in Christie Place."

      The cab driver's forehead corrugated; he closed his razor, laid it down and shoved his' soapy face toward the speaker.

      "Say,"spoke he, roughly. "I drives people wherever they wants to go; but I don't ask no questions."

      "It's СКАЧАТЬ