“How——”
“For the love of Mike, boss, hand the devil over to the police and get rid of him. I’ve still got that hunch!”
Verbeck hurried back to the others.
“Get in the electric and wait for me at the corner,” he directed. “I’ll be only a minute or so.”
As they started on, Verbeck followed Muggs across the street. He knew exactly what he intended doing; there would not be any waste of time.
“We’ll act on that hunch of yours right now, Muggs,” he said. “Drive to the entrance of the hall.”
In a moment they were there. Verbeck went inside and called the captain of detectives to him.
“Bring a couple of your men and come out here,” he said. “I’ve got the Black Star for you. Yes—come along! I’m the man who caught him, captain, and did the telephoning to the chief.”
The captain and two others followed Verbeck to the curb. The Black Star was groaning, but not yet conscious.
“Take him away,” Verbeck directed. “I’ve got to escort my fiancée home, and she’s waiting in a car at the corner. This is Muggs, my man. He’ll follow out to my fiancée’s home with the car, and I’ll drive right back in it to headquarters and tell you the story. Watch that man, captain—he’s a smooth customer. Muggs—you understand?”