“We’ve got the greatest dragnet in the history of the department in operation—watching every exit from the city and searching everywhere—have corralled half a hundred suspects already. If the Black Star is in the city we’ll get him. We’re only hoping he’s brazen enough to tip off where he is or what he intends doing. If he does, he may find he has gone too far.”
“But really, chief, I’d rather not have the men here.”
A rattling noise came through the telephone, and another voice spoke.
“Get off the line!” the chief roared. “This line’s busy.”
“Pardon me,” said the voice. “I just wanted to tell Mr. Verbeck that he’d better let the police remain. He’ll need them to guard him.”
“Who the devil are you?” the chief roared.
“I am the Black Star!”
“W-what?”
“Fact, I assure you. You might as well shout from the housetops, chief. I know everything you do and say. So you’ve got out the dragnet, eh? Might as well call in your men; it’ll not do any good to tire them out.”
“How—what——” the chief stammered. He was beginning to realize that the Black Star actually was on the line and speaking.