They ran to the stairs and went up. As they pa.s.sed the door of the living room, they saw the policemen standing before the big fireplace, extending their numb hands to the blaze.

They had no difficulty locating the wire on the second floor. It came from below, and ran up the side of a window. It followed the border of the wall paper, and once more it penetrated a ceiling.

"Into the garret!" Riley said.

They ran up the narrow stairs. Riley and Muggs both held their automatics ready now, and Verbeck reached for his. They threw open the door opening into one of the half-finished rooms. There was the wire, almost hidden as it ran along the bottom of the window. It followed a wide crack in the floor across the room. It disappeared into the wall.

Riley raised a hand for silence, and pointed to the floor.

"We were blind before," he whispered. "See those tracks? Whoever made them scattered dust behind him. They're almost obliterated-but there they are! We didn't use our eyes before. And that wire--"

"Must run into the old toy closet," Verbeck interrupted. "But-see here! The door of the closet is locked on this side, and you can see it hasn't been opened."

"You're right-it hasn't! But we'll just take a look!"

Verbeck turned the key. Muggs and Riley focused the light of their torches on the door, and held their automatics ready. Verbeck sprang aside and hurled the door open.

The interior of the closet was flooded with light. All three gasped as they looked.

No Black Star menaced them with weapon. No diabolical engine of destruction was there.

But there was the end of the wire!

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 a.s.suming 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 a.s.sure 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 a.s.sure you. It was very convenient for me to keep in touch in this way."

"That's sarcasm for you!" Riley exploded.

"Quiet!" Verbeck demanded, and read on:

"Is there anything to explain? Ah, yes! My mode of entrance was not through the door. I strung the wire to the wall and through the hole there, retreated after covering my tracks with dust, and entered in a different place. Perhaps you know your old family estate, Mr. Verbeck, and perhaps not. If you will look at the end of this closet you'll see a section of wall that can be removed. I fixed that. It opens into an old, wide chimney. At some time when the house was remodeled, and the new chimney built, a part of this old one was left intact, probably to save the trouble of remodeling the garret. Inside the chimney you will find a rope ladder-not very well made, it is true, yet serviceable. Descend, and you'll be able to get into the new chimney. Go down far enough and you will find yourself beside the hood over the kitchen stove.

"By extending a hand down while you three were in the living room, I was able to put on your loaf of bread the black stars that bothered you so much. I was able in the same manner to tap Mr. Muggs on the head as he bent over his pots and pans. It was a scientific tap, and as he reeled I clutched him by the collar and decorated his forehead with a star. Very simple, I a.s.sure you.

"I nearly laughed aloud when Riley built the big fire to smoke me out if I happened to be in the chimney. I had got back into the old chimney, of course, and closed the opening by that time.

"Thanks once more for your splendid hospitality. To-night being the time for my best effort so far in your city, I must leave you. My new headquarters have been arranged by my friends, and I am sure they'll prove much more comfortable. I'll direct my work from there hereafter.

"Since I had to get away from your house, I had a certain woman call you up and tell you to follow the wire. I knew it would take an hour or two for you to do so. After you had gone, I descended the chimney, slipped out of the back door. At least, that is what I intend doing after writing this letter, and I am sure my plans will come out all right.

"I would like to use your splendid roadster again as I leave, but cannot, as I have made other plans.

"And now, Mr. Verbeck, search this closet well, and you'll find a short note telling you what I intend doing to-night. The search may delay you a little, and delay will help me."

As Verbeck finished reading, and crammed the letter into his pocket, Riley, muttering madly to himself, began pawing among the Black Star's provisions in search of the note. Muggs attacked a pile of old toys in a corner. Verbeck stood still in the center of the closet for a moment, astounded.

The Black Star had hidden in _his_ house, with the police guard around it! The Black Star had sent word to the newspapers of what he had done. Laughingstock! Roger Verbeck would not dare show his face among his friends, unless-- There was one way to wipe out this slur the Black Star had thrown upon him-by capturing the master criminal at his work!

Verbeck joined in the search. Working frantically, they hurled toys around the closet, scattered cans and boxes of provisions, shook blankets. Then Verbeck remembered the opening in the wall, and sought until he found it. There, pinned to the top rung of the crude rope ladder, was the note.

"Read it, quick, boss!" Muggs begged. "I want to get my hands on that crook! I'll show him how to tap me on the head!"

Verbeck read quickly:

"As you have said, I love jewels-especially diamonds. There is a new shipment in the city that exceeds in value even your famous necklace, Mr. Verbeck. The general public does not know of this shipment, which has just been received. But, having ways of finding out things, I do know of it.

"To-night I raid the vault of Jones & Co., diamond importers, on the second floor of the National Building."

With a roar that could have been heard half a block, Detective Riley sprang through the door and toward the head of the stairs, Muggs and Roger Verbeck at his heels.

Four steps at a time they took the two flights, and burst into the living room like madmen, startling the officers there.