“He beat it for Argentine. From there he went across South America to Antofagasta. From there he disappeared like a rocket in No Man’s Land. No trace was found. For all we know, he might be right here in little old New York—the best hiding place in the known world. I hate to think of the places a man could plant in this town!”
“Sure! But they always come around the old corner. Remember Dutch Gus, the boxman. Five years, Chief, in every town on the map, and then he was picked up at Forty-second Street and Broadway. Maybe your friend, Cutbert, will show up some day?”
“Cuthbert!” corrected Drew. “He’s no friend of mine, Delaney. The trouble is, we haven’t got a single photograph of him. That shows he was figuring on crime all his life. A man who don’t get his picture taken, is generally a man to watch.”
“He’s slick, Chief. What does he look like?”
Drew pressed a buzzer-button. “Look like?” he said, turning toward the door. “Oh, he is a little fellow, quick-tempered and probably handy with a gat. He’s dangerous. I think Cuthbert Morphy is a good lead if we can find him.”
“I never did like that first name!” Delaney blurted as Harrigan opened the door to a crack.
“What have you found out about Harry Nichols?” asked Drew, as the assistant-manager stepped in softly.
“Got Plattsburg, Chief,” said Harrigan briefly. “Harry is O. K. up there. Captain’s commission. Three months intensive training. Going to France soon. On fourteen-days’ furlough in New York. Was floor manager for Harris, Post and Browning. Quit good job to go in the Army. Harris, of the brokerage firm, says Harry can come back and hang up his hat any time. That’s about all!”
“Umph!” said Drew. “That’s fine, in a way. He couldn’t have a better record. Now we’ll lay him aside. What did Frick learn at Ossining?”
“Frick ’phoned once. I was going to connect you with him but that fellow with the bird-cage came in. Frick says the warden is O. K. and will lend every aid. He saw Morphy in the Auditor’s Department. Looks worried, he says. Getting old! The visitor’s list shows that he’s had an average of three visits a month. No sign of his brother. There’s a fellow calls, though, who might be Cuthbert Morphy. Answers general description. They’ll pinch him next time he comes. We never thought of looking for him there!”