Dangerous Deeds; Or, The Flight in the Dirigible

ittle to build on. It had been a long while since the day when Moll went down to the river with the two little children, the hapless babies whose tender little feet had been so

elves. Mr. Ridgeway was involved in an adventure that might turn out to have a serious, indeed possibly a fatal outcome. Lawrence smiled. The k

ing him about it. It would be better, he finally decided, to wait until the job was over, and then hurry back to Louisville. It would be easy enough to find out from the records or old files of the papers when two little children and their nurse had been drowned. That was all that he

nd tell him the glad news. Perhaps his mother and father would accompany him. But like a cloud cam

l the present task was well accomplished. He felt tenderly of the flat square in his pocket, the outline of the case holding the photograph. A warmth seemed to spread from it. No, she at least-mother,

ushing up and jumpe

a suitcase? Pack in it just what you will need while we are in the dirigible. When we get across, we will buy everything we need in the way of clothes. As soon as you get your things packed, come back and join me. We will spend the night quietly at home, and about four o'clock tomorrow morning we will go to the field, stuff the suitcases in one of the airplanes, and sail down

to his apartment, where it took him about five minutes to

n an inside pocket. He then changed his coat and putting on a cap, took a car and went within walking distance of the disreputable flat building which housed

d entirely as O'Brien, putting an ear to the door, listened for sounds from within. Hearing nothing, he resumed the whistle and rapped gaily on the panel. There was no response and O'Brien repeated the knock.

O'Brien's manner changed. He was no longer the merry-eyed plumber, whistling as he came in a hurry call to tighten a leaky gas jet that threatened to s

or leading into a back room. Out of this still another door opened into a dark passageway, and there was a steep flight of stairs. At the sight of the stairs O'Brien nodded. He meant to use those himself if he happened to be surprised while on his tour of inspection. He commenced to be sorry that he had not brought another detective with him. But hurrying back to the front ro

bottle almost full, and an empty glass. O'

le out of his pocket, shook the contents into the larger bottle. "A druggist

near one of the windows, and setting it under the trap he leaped lightly to its soiled top. The ceiling w

cone shape, and there was no floor. Dust lay inches deep on the rafters where he sat uncomfortably. Then he saw something that caused his heart to leap delightedly. Directly beside him, tied with a cord and covered with broken seals, lay a

the lock. Some

bottle. Changing his position, he stretched himself along a rafter, nearly losing his balance as he did so. But he managed to s

s on?" said some

ized the gruff

wered, and another hastened t

one would croak him!" He slammed the door, and came over to the table under the trap. A moment later one of the other me

e is none too much in it. If Smi

s. Chairs creaked and the cheap cots groaned and squeaked as the men flung themselves down to rest. At the table, Brown, who was the only one within O'Brien's line of vision, took out a pencil and commenced to

ounded on the door, the sleeper awoke with a snort, someon

O'Brien nearly groaned. A broad brimmed fedora was drawn down over the man's face, and O'B

that Smith was

he demanded in the silky, smooth

Brown. "Won't yo

Smith politely. "Afterwards,

Brown, who seemed t

s, I shall give you the best of news. Yes, indeed!" He nodded. "But first there is something for you to do, you over there, and

Brien?" c

dora n

t th

come! Where is

He is what you call the solution. He knows all. He is going to be made to tell. Won't come? Of course he will come!

me easy," gr

ought his fist down on

down full in the upturned face, O'Brien involuntarily gave a violent start. Instantly there was a crackle and a piece of plaster half the size of the turret came down with a crash. It missed hitting Smith by a hair and surrounded him with a cloud of dust, but he did

obligingly. "The jig

ung down to the table, someone snatchin

their favor. He jumped off the table and stood looking at the group o

id. "Of all the double-faced, low, lyin',

vil tongue in your head and hand over your revolver. Search him, but don't kill hi

a struggle was worse than useless. He saw them take away the papers he had found up in the ceiling, and a moment later from the inner pocket

ad the clear, concise instructions. Nodding, he placed it in his pocket. "Well, Brown, i

ls, and O'Brien here is supposed to follow in the other dirigible. This he will use as a decoy, if we follow him. (It is too bad, O'Brien; too bad to spoil your fun!) Then if he succ

a cigarette which he lighted. O'Brien, watching, all at once

is ready for our flight. We will follow

said Brown. The word E

close enough to the other side, just there where the white cliffs show up, we will begin shooting. There will be a fishing boat below filled w

g to do with O'Br

e sure." He opened the cigarette case, and from a slot in one si

ill come with me. Go at once to the hangar and see that the dirigible is in order, then keep out of sight. We have plenty of time. You three others, listen to

w the hours do fly when we are in pleasant company! At exactly three one of you will administer this little dose in the left forearm. Very soon the patient will show every sign of extreme intoxication, and you will th

l," said one

be if I did not feel that caution is most necessary. There is no pain until the last. Only about half an hour, O'Brien. Sorry to cut you off, man, but you should not have chosen such a