“If he does it again we’ll get him!” Riley said.
They made a tour of the grounds and looked through the house. There was little more than dust and cobwebs in the house, and the furniture was covered, except in the big living room and one bedroom, which they made habitable. Then they devoured the luncheon Muggs had prepared.
It was four o’clock in the afternoon when there came a knock at the front door, and when Verbeck opened it he found ten policemen and a sergeant in plain clothes standing before him.
“What’s this mean?” he demanded.
“Chief’s orders, Mr. Verbeck,” the sergeant replied. “These men are to surround the block and guard your house.”
“But that is just what we do not want!” Verbeck protested.
“Chief’s orders. Here’s a letter he told me to give you. He got it by messenger a couple of hours ago.”
He handed Verbeck the letter. It was from the Black Star and addressed to the chief. It read:
Within four days I will commit my greatest crime since coming to your fair city.
Within four days I’ll make a huge laughingstock of Roger Verbeck. His sudden change of residence will not save him from the punishment I intend administering to him.
Within four days!
*****