To the Manager: This is just a hint that Roger Verbeck must go. If he does not, my next demonstration will be more disastrous.
*****
[CHAPTER XVII—INTERRUPTED CONVERSATION]
Detective Riley grasped the nearest telephone and sent an alarm to headquarters. Less than an hour later the report came that Verbeck’s roadster had been found abandoned on a corner in the heart of the city, but that no trace of the Black Star had been discovered.
In the meantime the night clerk had told his simple story. A man had entered and asked whether a Mr. Rodney Stone lived there. The clerk said no such person was registered. Sure that no other person was in the office, the visitor pulled an automatic from his pocket and ordered the clerk to throw up his hands.
The clerk was forced to obey, and believed at the time that he was the victim of an ordinary holdup man, and rejoiced that all funds, except a few dollars, were locked in the safe, which he could not open. But his visitor walked behind the counter and forced the clerk to stretch out on the floor, threatening death if he made a sound. He bound and gagged him, pinned the card to his breast, and stamped his brow with a black star, then walked calmly to the switchboard, looked at the guest list to find the number of Verbeck’s apartment, called Verbeck, held his conversation, and hurried out of the front door.
Gentlemen guests of the house in all sorts of night attire heard this story and looked upon Roger Verbeck with varied emotions. Some envied him the adventure and publicity, others feared for him, but the great majority was thinking of that warning and wondering whether they could find new quarters that day, and Roger Verbeck knew it.
The manager said nothing, for Verbeck had lived there for years and was excellent pay, but he looked worried.
“I’ll discuss this matter with you later,” Roger said, and he beckoned Muggs and Riley and led the way back to his apartment.
There they lighted fresh cigars and sat at the long table in the library, Muggs and Riley silent and waiting for Roger to speak.