Clue of the Silken Ladder

  CHAPTER 18 _THE BELL TOWER_

  Jerry fell into step with Penny. As they walked along, she told him ofher conversation with Mr. Kano.

  "I believe this man we're following is the same one who entered our houselast night," she declared. "He's the same build as the fellow I grabbed.Besides, he fits Kano's description of the person who bought the silkenladder."

  "Here's hoping you're right," replied Jerry. "If I muff this assignment,I may wake up looking for another job."

  Fearing that the man ahead would discover he was being followed, Jerryand Penny dropped farther and farther behind. Presently they saw himenter a pawnshop.

  "I know that place," commented Jerry. "It's run by Spike Weiser, anotorious _fence_. He buys stolen goods and gets rid of it at a profit.Has a swell home on Clarmont Drive."

  "Why don't the police arrest him?"

  "Oh, they watch the place, but Spike is too smart to be caught. He has asystem for handling _hot_ goods."

  "I'll venture some of the Kohl loot was sold through him, Jerry."

  "It wouldn't surprise me. But if the police search the place they won'tfind a thing."

  Loitering on the opposite side of the street, Penny and the reporter keptclose watch of the pawnbroker's shop. Thirty minutes elapsed. The manwhom they had trailed, did not reappear.

  "He must have slipped out the back door," Jerry remarked. "Probably knewhe was being watched."

  "I'm beginning to think so myself."

  Jerry glanced at his watch. "I can't take any more time," he said. "I'llhave to get back to the office."

  "I'll watch a few minutes longer," answered Penny. "If anything developsI'll try to telephone."

  Jerry walked hurriedly away. Scarcely had he disappeared when the door ofthe pawnshop opened, and the young man who had entered a half hourearlier, appeared. Penny hastily moved back into the vestibule of anoffice building.

  Without observing her, the stranger crossed the street and walked brisklytoward an intersecting boulevard. There was no opportunity for Penny totelephone the _Star_ office. Following, she was hard pressed to keep theman within view.

  Not until they reached the entrance of Butternut Lane did it dawn uponher that the Celestial Temple might be their destination. Then, indeed,her pulse stepped up a pace.

  "It's exactly as I guessed!" she thought triumphantly. "He's connectedwith Al Gepper and the other mediums!"

  Not wishing to attract attention in the deserted lane, Penny took a shortcut through the cemetery, emerging at the rear of the Celestial Temple.There was no door on that side of the building but a window had been leftraised. Placed beneath it, as if for her particular convenience, was alarge rock.

  Penny stood on it, peering into the Temple. The room was unoccupied.However, as she waited, the same man she had trailed, quietly let himselfin through the front entrance, using a key. He glanced about and calledin a low voice: "Pete! Pete! Anyone here?"

  There was no answer, which seemed to please the young man. He movedquickly down the aisle, crossed the platform to a door which opened intothe bell tower. Kneeling he began to fit keys into the lock, seeking onewhich would serve.

  As Penny watched, the young man suddenly straightened. Apparently he hadheard footsteps in the vestibule for he moved away from the bell towerdoor.

  A middle-aged woman with dyed hair and a skin of unusual pallor enteredthe Temple. She stopped short as she saw the young man.

  "You here, Slippery?" she commented, gazing at him with distrust."Where's Pete?"

  "Hello, Sade. I was wonderin' about Pete myself. Just got here a minuteago."

  The woman's gaze fastened upon the key which had been left in the belltower door.

  "Say, what's coming off here?" she demanded. "You were trying to getinside!"

  "Now don't ruffle your feathers, Sade," the man said soothingly. "I wasonly testing the door to make sure it was locked."

  "I'll bet! You were aiming to break in! Slippery, they sure named youright. Why, you'd double-cross your own mother!"

  "Oh, quiet down," the man retorted angrily. "I only came here to makesure Pete was on the job. The lazy loafer has skipped out and left theplace unguarded."

  The woman deliberately seated herself in a chair beside the bell towerdoor.

  "I'm parking here until Pete shows up," she announced. "Maybe you're onthe square, Slippery, but I don't trust you."

  "Thanks for your flattering opinion," the man responded mockingly. "Yougive me a pain, Sade. I do all the dangerous work, and what do I get? Ameasly ten per cent."

  "Plus what you stick in your pocket when you're on a job," the woman shotback with rising anger. "You've been doing pretty well for yourself,Slippery--you and Al. But the boys are getting wise. From now on it maynot be so easy. Better play fair with the rest of us--or else."

  "You always did have a wagging tongue," the man retorted. "Always tryingto stir up trouble. Don't you realize we've got to work together or we'llbe jailed separately? Our ranks must be united."

  "Gettin' sort of jittery, ain't you?"

  "Maybe you haven't been reading those editorials in the _Star_."

  "Sure, I read them and get a big laugh. This guy Parker has to blow offsteam. Nothing will come of it."

  "The police have visited this place once already."

  "And what did they find? Nothing."

  "That's no guarantee they won't try again. I tell you this town isgetting too hot for comfort."

  "Figurin' on blowing?" the woman inquired, watching him shrewdly.

  Slippery's laughter had an unpleasant edge. "You sure do get ideas, Sade.Don't start peddling that line of talk. Understand?"

  "I hear."

  Suddenly losing his temper, the man strode nearer, seizing her arm.

  "Just start something and see where you wake up!" he said harshly. "Oneword to Pete or any of the boys and you won't do any more pretty fortunetelling!"

  The woman jerked her arm free, gazing at the man in sullen silence. Nordid she speak as he left the Temple, slamming the door behind him.