[CHAPTER XXII—ON THE SCENT]
“He’s done it! He said he’d make me a laughingstock—and he’s done it!”
Verbeck’s exclamation brought them to their senses. They stepped through the door.
There was a blanket, a store of provisions, a telephone that they knew without examination had been connected with the one in the living room below, and the end of the dictograph wire.
Fastened to the telephone were several sheets of paper. Verbeck tore them away, and while Muggs and Riley held their torches he read in a low voice the Black Star’s message:
“Mr. Roger Verbeck: I am assuming you have answered the call of the damsel and have followed the wire. The snow is somewhat deeper than when the wire was stretched by me, and possibly you have been put to some inconvenience, but it was necessary, I assure you. I trust you liked your trip through the old sewer.
“I thank you for your hospitality, for here I have lived beneath your roof since escaping the silly police.
“I thank you cordially for the police protection afforded me while the chief had his dragnet in operation. It was amusing to look from the window and watch the officers guarding the house carefully to see that I was not disturbed.”
“If ever I get my hands on that devil——” Riley exclaimed.
“Keep still, Riley—let me finish it! There may be need for haste yet.”
Verbeck read on:
“I said I’d make you a laughingstock, and I have. To-night I send letters to the papers telling them how I hid in your own house, listened to all your plans over a dictograph, and tapped your telephone wire. You cannot hope to match wits with the Black Star.
“It was very simple. I came here the night I escaped, after visiting your apartment and mailing a few letters. Only two of my band knew of my whereabouts and aided me—one of them the charming woman who told you to follow the wire.
“The second night I strung the dictograph wire, tapped the telephone, and carried my provisions here. Then I attacked the apartment-house clerk. I felt very confident you’d move here after that, and I guessed correctly.
“You came. I rested and ate and listened to your conversations. At night, by means of a candle, I signaled from the window to a friend, who took down my messages for the papers and the chief of police.
“It has been great entertainment, I assure you. It was very convenient for me to keep in touch in this way.”