Classic Audiobook Collection - The Black Star by Johnston McCulley ~ Full Audiobook [mystery]

Starting point is 00:00:00 the black star by johnston mcculley chapter one an aided escape winds whistled up the river and winds whistled down from the hills and they met to swirl and gather fury and rattle the city's millions of window-panes they carried a mixture of sleet and fine snow the first herald of the winter to come in the business district they swung signs madly back and far forth and roared around the corners of high office buildings and swept madly against struggling trolley cars they poured through the man-made canyons they dashed out the broad boulevards and so they came to the attention of mr roger verbeck at about the hour of midnight as he turned over in his warm bed and debated whether to rise and lower the window or take a chance with the rapidly lowering temperature beastly night verbeck confided to himself and put his head beneath the covers he slept and suddenly he awakened a moment before he had been in the midst of a pleasant dream now every sense was alert and his right hand creeping softly under the cover reached the side of the bed and grasped an automatic pistol that hung in a rack there from the adjoining room his library there came no flash of an electric torch no footfall no sound foreign to the apartment nothing to indicate the presence of an intruder yet verbeck sensed that an intruder was there he slipped quietly from the bed shivering a bit because of the cold wind put his feet into slippers and drew on a dressing-gown over his pajamas

Starting point is 00:01:57 then his pistol held ready for use in case of emergency he started across the bedroom taking short steps and walking on his toes a reflection entered the room from the arc light on the nearest street corner this uncertain light was shut off for an instant and Verbeck whirled quickly, silently, to find another man slipping up beside him. It was Muggs, a little wiry man of uncertain age, who had been in Verbeck's employ for several years, valet at times, comrade in arms at times, willing adventurer always. Muggs bent forward until his lips were close to Verbeck's ear.

Starting point is 00:02:42 "'I heard it too, boss,' he said. somebody in the library verbeck nodded they crept nearer the door inch by inch verbeck pulled aside one of the curtains until they could peer into the other room a gleam from the corner arc light penetrated the library too it revealed the interior of the room in a sort of semi gloom causing elusive shadows that flitted here and there in such fashion that they scarcely could be distinguished from substance also it revealed an open window near the fire escape and it showed the form of a man standing before verbeck's antique desk in a corner mugs bent beneath his master's arm to see better he felt verbeck grip his shoulder and looked up to find him indicating the open window like a shadow mugs who also held a weapon in his hand slipped through the curtains crept along the wall and advanced toward that window to cut off the intruder's retreat an instant verbeck waited then he stepped into the room found the electric switch and snapped on the lights and levelled his automatic the man before the desk whirled with a snarl that showed two rows of jagged uneven yellow teeth he took in the situation at a glance saw mugs at the window and verbeck at the door and knew he had been caught in a trap his eyes narrowed and flashed he bent forward giving the appearance of a rat at bay and his hand dropped slowly

Starting point is 00:04:28 toward his hip better not there was a certain quality in verbeck's voice that told the burglar the man before him was neither nervous nor afraid and would shoot if necessary the thief's hands went above his head in token of surrender and the belligerent light that had been in his eyes faded it appears said verbeck that we have discovered you in a delicate position ah don't try to be clever i guess you've got me all right rather unceremonious this call verbeck went on why didn't you send up your card from the office ah be seated please still holding his hands above his head the burglar took the chair verbeck indicated now mugs verbeck said mugs had been waiting for the word he sprang away from the window and took the cords from the portieres working swiftly he bound the burglar's hands behind his back then fastened them to the chair then he assumed the roll of guard and verbeck lowered his pistol and walked toward the desk i fancy you didn't find much my man he said this is a bachelor apartment you know and there is little of value in the library unless you seek books or pictures ah if you had entered the dressing-room now but of course if you had done that mugs probably would have filled you you full of lead first and made a complete investigation afterward. It is better for you that

Starting point is 00:06:19 you didn't enter there. Why you should crawl into a bachelor's apartment when there are so many pretentious residences where silver and plait are to be found, not to speak of women's jewels, is more than I can fathom. You must be an amateur at this sort of thing. What is this? on the desk was a sealed letter addressed to Mr. Roger Verbeck, the address having been stamped with rubber type. In one corner of the envelope had been pasted a tiny black star. On the polished surface of the desk, other little black stars had been pasted.

Starting point is 00:07:02 There was one also on a vase. There was another on the glass door of a bookcase. The Black Star, Verbeck exclaimed. He turned swiftly to scrutinize his prisoner, but there was no expression on the man's face to denote that he showed interest, and he was looking at the floor. Muggs was watching the bound thief closely,

Starting point is 00:07:27 but his dancing eyes and parted lips showed that Verbeck's words had interested him deeply. So, we are honored by a visit from the Black Star Mugs," Verbeck said. Think of that! The cleverest crook the town ever had to worry over. The man who got the famous Smith diamonds and cracked a safe across the street from police headquarters,

Starting point is 00:07:53 who has lifted half the silver in town and stripped society women of their jewels. And he has paid us a visit. We must be getting important, Mugs, eh? Yes, sir. said Mugs. Well, well, the man everyone is looking for

Starting point is 00:08:14 and cannot find who has been sending naughty notes to the police telling them how dull they are. I understand he even tips off what he intends doing and then does it under their very noses. Very clever, chap, for a crook, declares all the detectives in the world

Starting point is 00:08:35 can't catch him. Huh! Suppose we see what is in this letter! He grinned at the prisoner and ripped the envelope open. In it was a single sheet of paper. The letter, too, was printed, and its uneven line showed that it had been stamped one letter at a time. It was similar in appearance to the letters the newspaper declared the police had received. Verbeck read it swiftly. mr roger verbeck last night at a certain reception people were talking of the black star you made the remark that the black star was not a crook but a gang

Starting point is 00:09:20 that the police didn't catch him because they had so many cases on which to work that they couldn't give their undivided attention to any particular one you declared that any clever man who applied himself to the task could capture the black star and break up his gang. You boasted that you could do it yourself and easily. To show you how useless it would be for you to pit your brains and skill against mine, I am putting this letter on your desk while you sleep in an adjoining room, and am leaving my sign on some of your belongings. I am even putting a black star in your bed, within a foot of the spot where you rest your head while you are sleeping. After this exhibition, either admit that the black star is clever, or do as you boasted you could do, catch me. Read it, Muggs, said Verbeck, guarding the prisoner himself, as Mugs obeyed. What do you think of that, eh? intended us to wake up and find

Starting point is 00:10:28 these things stuck all over the place. Trying to show us how very clever he is, this naughty black star, and we catch him at it. There'll be joy at police headquarters over this. Now you just keep your eyes on this gentleman, Mugs, while I get into my clothes, and then we'll continue the entertainment. Verbeck hurried to the dressing room, leaving Mugs on guard, and dressed as swiftly as possible. He carried a topcoat and cap to a chair near the door of the bedroom, and then he hurried over to the bed. The black star had done as he had said. On the head of the bed was one of the little signs, and whoever had placed it there had put his hand within six inches of Verbeck's head. The man in the other room, Verbeck decided, had done that first, then gone into the library

Starting point is 00:11:27 to finish his work. Verbeck hurried back and relieved mugs. Go and get into your clothes, he ordered, and then hurry back here. I'll try to entertain our guest while you are gone. He drew up a chair and sat down, facing the prisoner, and less than six feet away. He was humming a tune, and there was a smile playing about his lips. Had the prisoner been well acquainted with Roger Verbeck, that smile would have put him on garb. hard. Verbeck already had formed a plan. He and Muggs understood each other well, thanks to sundry adventures in which they had participated in the four corners of the earth, and he knew that Muggs even now was reading the note he had scrawled hurriedly and left on the dressing-table, and would act accordingly.

Starting point is 00:12:24 The Black Star! Well, well, he exclaimed, grinning at his prisoner again. And so you are the clever crook? I'm not saying anything. You decorated the head of my bed with that thing, I suppose? You can suppose all you like. Thanks, rather surly, aren't you? You hand me over to the police and you'll get yours, said the prisoner. Are you by any chance trying to frighten me?

Starting point is 00:13:02 i'm giving you fair warning you hand me over and you won't live long to gloat about it roger verbeck grinned again and resumed his humming his eyes never left the prisoner but he was thinking deeply in the first place the letter from the black star bothered him the remarks that the black star accused him of making he had made but the puzzling part of it was that he had made them to half a dozen friends when there was no stranger near he had spoken them in a drawing-room in the presence of faustina wendell his fiance howard wendell her brother and some others concerning whose integrity there was no question how then had the black star heard of them the black star had terrorized the city for the past four months whenever a master crime was committed a tiny black star had been found pasted on something at the scene of operations the police had been unable to get a clue each crime seemed bolder and more daring than the one before and more highly successful the black star sent taunting letters to the newspapers and police and the public demanded his arrest and imprisonment with loud voice his crimes too showed a deep knowledge of private matters it appeared that the black star knew the interior arrangements of residences he robbed sometimes he even knew the combinations of safes for in two instances a safe had been opened and looted and then properly closed again but with a tiny black star inside it

Starting point is 00:14:57 he was aware when valuable jewels were taken from safe deposit boxes to be worn at some affair he knew when members of families were out of the city or servants absent he had shown in a thousand ways that he possessed knowledge of great value to a criminal roger verbeck's boast had not been an idle one he believed sincerely that no crook could be so clever but what some honest man could match wits with him and win he believed too that the black star did not work alone but was the leader of a band not for an instant did verbeck think the man he had taken prisoner was the notorious black star but it pleased him to let the prisoner believe he did his first impulse had been to call the police and hand the man over but he guessed that such a course would not ensure the capture of the master crook and that the prisoner would refuse to talk take a sentence for burglary and thus allow the black star and the others to go free it would be clever verbeck decided to allow this man to escape to escape to shadow him and to learn more. Roger Verbeck had adventured with Muggs scores of times, and he yearned for an adventure now. Here was his chance. Besides, the Black Star had issued the challenge. Muggs returned, fully dressed. For an instant the eyes of Master

Starting point is 00:16:37 and Man met, and there flashed between them an understanding. Better look at this chaps bonds, Mugs," Verbeck said. We don't want him escaping before the police come. Muggs bent behind the prisoner's chair and fumbled with the cord. And when he arose, his eyes met those of Verbeck again, and Verbeck knew that Muggs had obeyed orders. Now, go down and call the house manager, he directed, and I'll telephone the police. Muggs hurried out into the hall.

Starting point is 00:17:13 verbeck left his chair and stepped back to the door of the bedroom i fancy you'll be secure for a moment or so he told the prisoner you'll scarcely get away unless you carry that chair with you he backed through the curtains grasped his top coat and cap and crossed the room on his toes and unlocked the hall door to cover the sound of the key turning in the lock he stopped the door he thought the sound of the key turning in the lock he as if calling a number on the telephone. Hello? Police headquarters? He asked. This is Roger Verbeck speaking. Hurry up here.

Starting point is 00:17:54 I've just caught the black star trying to loot my rooms. My old address, yes. And while he spoke, he opened the door so that his voice would drown any squeak the hinges might give, and then he slipped into the hall and hurried to the front stairs.

Starting point is 00:18:13 he dashed down the three flights four steps at a time the prisoner had tugged desperately at his bonds and had felt them give with sudden hope he had worked furiously to get free he was through the window and descending the fire escape as verbeck finished the imaginary telephone message to the police exulting at what he fondly thought had been his close escape end of chapter one recording by roger maline chapter two of the black star by johnston mcculley this libervox recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline chapter two the black star verbec found mugs at the corner of the apartment house standing in the shadows and trying to shield himself from the stinging sleet and biting cold wind he's just reaching the ground boss mugs said see him i see him be careful now mugs we don't want to lose him thanks for understanding and loosening his bonds there he goes the erstwhile prisoner had reached the ground and was darting through the shadows toward the alley down this he ran for half a block then crept between two buildings and so reached the bullet was darting through the shadows toward the alley down this he ran for half a block then crept between two buildings and so reached the bullet near a corner, with Verbeck and Mugs a hundred feet behind him. It was difficult trailing the man through a storm of sleet and fine snow,

Starting point is 00:20:03 but Verbeck and Mugs had trailed men before, sometimes for amusement, and at other times through necessity. The man hesitated at the curb a moment, then struck across the driveway. Verbeck and Mugs followed. They took opposite sides of the walk and slipped a little, over the frozen ground, darting from shadow to shadow, always watching the elusive shadow ahead. At the street crossings, their quarry walked across boldly, and they could not follow instantly, for fear of being detected, but they always picked up their man again once they were across.

Starting point is 00:20:43 Thus they covered a dozen blocks, and it appeared that the midnight prowler considered himself safe now. He hurried down across street, his head bent forward against the cold wind that swept up the hill. Block after block, Muggs trailed him, while Verbeck shadowed from the other side of the street, dodging into dark doorways now and then when he expected his man to look behind. The quarry stopped at a corner, lighted a cigar, and stood waiting. Mugs was concealed in a doorway, fifty feet behind him. verbeck was in another doorway across the street an owl car came along and their quarry bordered it but verbeck had been expecting that and for some time had been watching a taxi-cab standing before a drug store in the corner as the owl car started up again verbeck dashed across the street and he had the chauffeur out of the drug store and into the seat before mugs reached the spot

Starting point is 00:21:47 follow that owl car verbeck directed there's a man on it that we'd like to see when he gets off i'm wise the chauffeur cried fly cops eh get in the cab lurched along the slippery street keeping a half a block behind the owl car whenever the car stopped the cab drew up at the curb and verbeck put out his head to watch but their quarry remained aboard if this keeps up we'll clear out of town said mugs anxious for action verbeck asked laughing you may get plenty of it before we are done have a bit of patience mugs i've got patience all right boss and i've got a hunch too let's have it at times verbeck had a great deal of respect for mugs's hunches i've got a hunch we'd have done better if we'd handed that gent over to the police i gave you credit for understanding the situation mugs oh i understand what you want me to do all right it'd be great to clean up this black star and his gang single-handed hog-tie em all then call in the cops and hand em over especially since he sent you that sassy note but i've got a hunch we're going up again against a stiff game. This black star ain't no slouch."

Starting point is 00:23:22 "'Afraid?' snarled Verbeck. That touched Mugs on a tender spot, and Verbeck knew it. Mugs turned deliberately and faced his employer. "'If that's the way you're looking at it, boss,' he said, "'trot right along and I'll be behind you. Go the limit, and I'm in the first seat on the right-hand side. all the same I've got a hunch." The taxi cab stopped again.

Starting point is 00:23:53 Verbeck put his head from the window and immediately opened the door. Their quarry had left the owl car and was starting down the dark cross street. Giving a bill to the chauffeur and telling him he need not wait, Verbeck hurried to the corner, with mugs at his heels. Shadowing here was difficult work, for there was unimproved property and some old estates not well kept up where sidewalks were bad and the footing uncertain and where untrimmed trees and thick underbrush furnished multitudes of dark spots up hill and down hill always against the biting cold wind and sleet their man led them finally he crossed a vacant lot and made directly for an old house far back from the street in the midst of a grove of trees that now were swaying and snapping in the storm so that's where the black star lives verbeck said he and mugs had small difficulty following their man now for there was a low hedge behind which by stooping they could make their way unseen

Starting point is 00:25:06 their man reached the side of the house and went along it until he came to a door beside the door there was a box on the ground as verbeck and mugs watched the man they had been following raised the lid of the box and took something out he's putting on clothes mugs whispered his actions could not be observed well but it did appear that he was donning an overcoat or a robe of some sort and he's putting on a mask said mugs what's coming off here i imagine we are in for an interesting time answered verbeck watch him now he had stepped up to the door and they could see him put out his hand through a lull in the storm there came to verbeck and mugs the tinkling of a bell then a sharp click and the door flew open and their quarry disappeared inside closing the door after him verbeck and mugs hurried around the end of the hedge into the house a few feet from the door was a window verbeck had no more than glanced at it before mugs was at work verbeck never had inquired too closely into mugs's past but from what he had seen from time to time he had reason to believe that mugs knew a thing or two about crook's methods and now he had more evidence of it in an instant almost mugs was sliding that window up slowly inch by inch making no noise and carefully pulling aside the curtains behind it another moment and verbeck was standing inside the house with mugs beside him they heard no voices step by step they made their way across the room to the opposite wall searching for a door then they saw a streak of light that penetrated from an adjoining room where a door sagged in its casement leaving a crack through which a man could see

Starting point is 00:27:17 verbeck knew this house for several years it had been deserted not kept in repair the grounds not kept up it belonged to an estate in litigation and could not be sold and the airs had refused to build a more substantial residence for the rental it might bring in he was surprised to find it inhabited and he imagined that the black star and his band were making use of it surreptitiously But when he applied his eye to the crack in the door, expecting to see a room almost barren, filled with dust and cobwebs, two or three boxes, some burning candles, a typical resort of thugs, he faced a surprise. He was looking into a room that had been newly decorated and was furnished lavishly. Expensive rugs were on the floor, pictures adorned the walls. there was a massive library table in the center of the room an arm-chair beside it books and papers and magazines on it on the wall of the room was a small blackboard with chalk and an eraser in a box beneath it

Starting point is 00:28:33 before this blackboard standing erect was their quarry dressed in a long black robe that covered every portion of his body even his head being enveloped in a hood and over his face a black mask. There was no one else in the room. The man before the blackboard stood stiffly and silently, like a soldier at attention. Behind the door, Verbeck and Mugs waited, scarcely daring to breathe. Then a door on the other side of the lavishly furnished room was thrown open, and another man came into view. He, too, was dressed in a long black robe, and had a black mask over his face. But he had a mark that distinguished him from the other, for on the front of his hood was a black star formed of jet that flashed in the light. End of Chapter 2. Recording by Roger Maline.

Starting point is 00:29:42 Chapter 3 of the Black Star by Johnston McCulley. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Roger Malene. chapter three into the pit instinct and experience told verbeck that this sight might prove too much for mugs and he gripped the smaller man by the arm to indicate that he was to maintain quiet it was well he did so for subsequent proceedings were highly unusual and mysterious the black star nodded to the other man and stepped across the room where there was another small blackboard attached to the blackboard attached to the black star nodded to the other man and stepped across the room where there was another small blackboard attached to the wall. When he stood before it, he nodded again, and the other picked up the chalk and started to write, and thus they conversed, each writing on his blackboard and erasing after the other had read.

Starting point is 00:30:41 Number six, the man wrote. Counter sign? Florida. Report, wrote the black star. Carried out your instructions, but was cut. caught by Verbeck and his valet, escaped when they went to call police. It seemed that the black star grew taller and straighter as he looked at the other man, and Verbeck and Mugs could see his eyes glittering through the black mask.

Starting point is 00:31:13 They expected him to roar a rebuke, a denunciation, but he did not. He faced the blackboard again and wrote rapidly, You are a blunderer! We have no use for the man who fails. I did not fail, the other wrote on the board quickly. I put a black star on his bed and scattered others in library. I was putting letter on desk when they caught me. Did you come straight here?

Starting point is 00:31:45 No, I shook them off first. I got away before they raised an uproar. Came on owl car, got off several blocks back. back and cut down the hill the black star motioned for him to erase this last and then walked slowly to the table there was a pile of letters on one end of it and the black star picked up one and read it shook his head and put the letter in the pocket of his robe he pressed against the end of the table and a drawer shot open verbeck and mugs could see that the drawer was half filled with money and jewels the black star took out some money and threw it on the table he closed the drawer and walked back to his blackboard and picked up the chalk to write again you will not be safe here for some time verbeck or his man might recognize you take that money and catch the first train for chicago return and report one month from to-night at midnight the other man read and bowed his head there was no hesitancy in his manner he acted like a man who had received orders that he knew he had to carry out he went forward and picked up the money and with it clutched in one hand he backed to the door and lifted the other hand in salute to the black star

Starting point is 00:33:14 the black star nodded and the other backed through the door and closed it mugs hurried across the room to the window to watch while verbeck remained gazing through the crack in the door at the Black Star, who sat down in the armchair and began inspecting the letters on the table. The minutes passed. Mugs returned and reported that the other man had put the robe and mask in the box and had slipped away through the trees. Still, the Black Star sat at the table, and that for which Verbeck had been waiting did not come to pass. The master criminal did not remove the mask from his face. Another adventure appealed to Verbeck now. He decided to face the black star in his den.

Starting point is 00:34:07 He confided his intention to Muggs in whispers and gave his orders, and, disregarding Muggs's mouthings concerning his hunch, slipped across the room to the window and let himself out. He found the robe in the box and quickly put it on, then adjusted the black mask. Beneath the robe, his hand clutched the butt of his automatic. Searching the edge of the casement, he found a push button and touched it with his finger. Inside, a bell tinkled.

Starting point is 00:34:42 A few seconds passed, and then there was a sharp click, and the door flew open. Verbeck entered and closed the door after him. Before him was a long corridor, musty the air in it rank dust on walls and ceiling it appeared that the entire house had not been renovated only the one room verbex slipped along the corridor to where a streak of light entered it indicating a door holding the pistol ready beneath his robe he opened the door and stepped into the room and stood beside the blackboard as the other man had done the black star was not there The second seemed hours as he waited, trying to keep his eyes away from the door behind which he knew Muggs was watching him. His ears strained to catch the first sound of the master criminal's approach. Then the door opened and the black star appeared and walked to his station on the other side of the room.

Starting point is 00:35:47 He nodded his head and Verbeck picked up chalk and eraser and turned to the blackboard. he was playing a dangerous game and did not know how soon he would be detected he felt small fear for mugs was waiting to help him and he had heard nothing seen nothing to indicate that the black star had allies in the house number four verbeck wrote on the board counter sign florida wrote verbeck he turned to find florida wrote verbeck he turned to find the black star's eyes glittering straight into his. The flaming jet on the hood seemed to be dancing in derision. Verbeck wondered whether he had made a mistake, and he soon found out, for the black star turned to the blackboard and wrote rapidly, number four is a woman, and Florida is not her countersign. And then he faced Verbeck again. The crisis had arrived sooner than Verbeck had explained. expected. The Black Star knew him for an intruder, and knew also that he must have observed

Starting point is 00:37:02 a great deal to be able to don robe and mask and start the blackboard conversation. The master criminal could be expected to act with dispatch. Before the Black Star could make a move, Verbeck's robe parted and his left hand emerged, holding the pistol ready for instant action. With his other hand, he waved toward the arm-chair, and then he spoke. Sit down and put your hands flat on the table. His eyes still glittering into Verbeck's, the criminal obeyed. Standing at the end of the table, Verbeck confronted him, scarcely knowing what step to take next.

Starting point is 00:37:47 The man before him did not speak, but those glittering eyes, burning, malevolent, ominous, seemed to cry out with surprise, hatred, and threats. So, you are the black star, Verbeck said. Quite a comedy you play here, huh? Masks hide faces and blackboards take the place of spoken words. A very clever crook, you. But I said a clever man could find you, and I say it again.

Starting point is 00:38:20 This is the best proof of it, isn't it? you challenged me and i have come so your man thought you had escaped did he if ever you see him again tell him that his bonds were left loose purposely so that he had escaped and could be shadowed here allow me sir mr roger verbeck at your service verbeck raised a hand and tore off his mask and bowed low in irony meanwhile why his victim for he did not make the mistake of underestimating the cleverness of the man before him and he was alert for tricks he saw the black star's hands contract and his arm stiffen and imagined the master crook calling down curses on the head of the man who had led enemies to his stronghold then the black star spoke in a low penetrating voice almost a monotone obviously disguising his real tones i suppose you think you are very clever he said i don't advertise my cleverness like some persons and then fail to live up to my estimation of myself verbeck replied you have done something no outsider has done before you have seen the black star in his workshop that is indeed a rare privilege and of course you'll pay for it in the end you think so verbeck asked i presume you started out with the intention of handing me over to your stupid police the greatest and most difficult thing you perhaps thought would be to locate me

Starting point is 00:40:11 well you have located me and your task is but begun indeed it takes evidence to convict naturally said Verbeck. Suppose I call the police now. How about the robe and mask you wear, that star, these blackboards, those printed letters identical with ones that have been received by the police and the newspapers? Evidence? This room is full of it. But when you get right down to the point, said the black star, you'll want evidence of theft and burglary, you know. I never heard of a gang yet, where someone wouldn't turn state's evidence the black star chuckled and through the slits in his mask his eyes seemed to be dancing with delight that is just where my cleverness comes in he said to show you how little i fear you roger verbeck i'll tell you things no man knows except myself i can tell you for instance and it is the truth that the black star does have a band working for him,

Starting point is 00:41:31 but that not one of them ever saw his face or heard his voice. Nonsense. Not nonsense, but the truth. So certain am I as to what is going to happen to you, Roger Verbeck, that I'll reveal secrets and show you how useless it would be to fight me before you, uh, cease to trouble me further. i say no member of my band ever saw my face or heard my voice and it is the truth i say moreover that i never saw the face of one of my band or heard his voice that i know nothing of their names or identities and whenever a crime is committed i do not know which person or group does the work can you understand that

Starting point is 00:42:26 turn states evidence mr verbeck not a man of them knows a thing to tell except against himself rot the truth said the black star attend me closely i reveal my methods to you because you'll never pass them on i began my work years ago i have a genuine partner who is not in this city at the present time When I decided to invade this town, he came here. He rented this old house and fixed up this one room in it. The furnishings were carted one at a time, and they were unloaded several blocks away and fetched here at night. When everything was ready, I came. My gang?

Starting point is 00:43:20 This one man who knows me got the gang together. Every one of them is an expert in his particular. time. Each was eager to work under me, for I am in a position to ensure success and big profits. My organization extends farther than you dream. Each man was fetched here and taught what to do. Here he comes to get orders and to report. There is no conversation except on the blackboard, and masks are always worn. At the first, these men drew numbers out of a box and in addition i gave each a counter sign i issue orders by number and they report by number if i was on the witness stand at this moment and wanted to betray my men i couldn't do it i could only say that a certain crime was committed by number one for instance but if all were lined up before me i couldn't swear they were members of my band because i'd not know

Starting point is 00:44:27 Do you understand that, Mr. Roger Verbeck? Very clever, huh? We work together, yet were we to pass on the street, we'd not dream we knew one another. Absolute protection, you see? Hand me over to the police this minute, if you can, and it will avail you nothing. No jury would convict on the evidence that could be presented,

Starting point is 00:44:55 and my organization, in a hundred different ways, would come to my rescue. I thought none of them knew you, said Verbeck. That is the truth. You do not understand everything yet. I have a band of men who do the real work, and I have an organization that collects knowledge I must have. Every man and woman in that organization has a very good reason for being loyal to me. women yes said the black star many women people in every walk of life and naturally i have arranged it so that i could harm them but they could never harm me i heard of your foolish boast of last night didn't i how do you suppose i knew that and i can tell you the combination of the safe in your dressing-room mr verbeck

Starting point is 00:45:57 if you are skeptical, and tell you also that there is nothing in it at the present time that we desire. There is a bundle of stock certificates and deeds in the upper right-hand pigeonhole and a score or more old coins in a drawer at the bottom. How do you know that? Verbeck demanded. I know a multitude of things, Mr. Verbeck. Get this idea in your head. i do not know the names or faces of my real workers but i do know the identities of those who gather my information i know them and could punish them but they do not know me tidy little arrangement i fancy you'll not find a flaw in it you have deluded yourself into thinking it is perfect replied verbeck suppose one of your crooks is captured while comming you have deluded yourself into thinking it is perfect replied verbeck suppose one of your crooks is captured while

Starting point is 00:46:57 a crime and brings the police down on you to save himself he would not if he kept his mouth closed the organization would save him if he played traitor the organization would save me and see that he got the limit i could convince you if i wish to talk more but i do not i must protect the organization as it protects me you have pitted your cleverness against mine, Mr. Verbeck, and you have been successful in your first attempt. You have located me. And now, what are you going to do about it? Suppose I hand you over to the police? Even if you could do that, and I am not admitting it, you'd be laughed at in the end, and I'd probably conclude by suing you for heavy damages.

Starting point is 00:47:53 Believe me when I say everything has been thought of. and for every attack there is a defense arranged also to hand me over to the police would be to warn all the others and you'd have a difficult time convicting me without their testimony and there is another thing the black star hesitated say it said verbeck i have said i have said that my organization is far-reaching if you meddled in my affairs the chickens might come home to roost you are up against something regarding the magnitude of which you know very little mr verbeck i have only just begun my organization in this city but already it is broad enough to cause you pain and chagrin did i put it to work i suppose said verbeck that you imagine you are going to frighten me by this lot of pointless talk you may be a very clever man in some things mr verbeck but in this you are no better than a babe did i take the fancy to do so i could make you one of my organization too but you have gone too far for that you have discovered too much you'd make me join your band of crooks exclaimed verbeck laughing i could force you to be a loyal and obedient member believe me if such was my desire

Starting point is 00:49:32 you do not realize sir the strength of the black star and his band you do not realize how very little you know you have heard my voice that is true and you have seen my workshop but even you roger verbeck have not seen my face and what is to prevent me from taking a look at it now this said the black star you are standing at the end of the end of the standing at the end of the table with a pistol in your hand. I am seated, and my hands are on the table before me, so that you could fill me full of lead before I could get a weapon from beneath my robe. But the toe of my left shoe, Mr. Verbeck, is resting on a button in the floor, a button that works a trigger, and you are standing over a cement-lined pit twelve feet deep.

Starting point is 00:50:29 Before you could shoot, my toe would press the button. So! And down you go, Mr. Verbeck, through the floor and into the pit, and the trap-door comes up again. So! And you are a prisoner in the darkness. You who tried to match wits with the black star. It all had happened in a second of time.

Starting point is 00:50:54 A section of the floor had swung down with a crash and Roger Verbeck had been dashed to the bottom of the pit. The one shot he fired went wild, the bullet burying itself in the ceiling. The trap door closed again, and the black star, standing at the end of the table now, threw back his head and laughed uproariously. And the laughter died in his throat as he sank suddenly to the floor, for Muggs was through the door as he sank suddenly to the floor, for Muggs was through the door as Verbeck shot downward, and the butt of his automatic had crashed against the Black Star's head,

Starting point is 00:51:33 just behind the left ear. End of Chapter 3. Recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 4 of The Black Star by Johnston McCully. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 4. Rogue for a Day

Starting point is 00:52:04 Muggs was a product of the slums and had known the inside of a prison. Five years before, Roger Verbeck had picked him up in Paris, at a time when Mugs was contemplating throwing himself into the seine, for misery and crime and poor living had broken his spirit and made existence a nightmare. Verbeck had taught him that wits can be used for honest purposes, had given him a home, and in return Muggs, in his gratitude, gave Verbeck what services he could. He was of the type willing to die to save a benefactor pain.

Starting point is 00:52:49 Mugs had not struck the black star a light blow, and when the master crook fell, Mugs knew he would remain unconscious for some time to come. He was sobbing and calling to Verbeck in a low voice as he put. his foot beneath the table and felt for the button. He could not find it at first, for in his eagerness he was not methodical. Then he quieted down, and getting down on hands and knees, went over the floor inch by inch, until he felt a little knob through the rug. His hand went out. He pressed the knob. At the end of the table appeared a yawning chasm as a section of the flooring fell back. Muggs was at its side in an instant.

Starting point is 00:53:39 Boss, boss, he called. I'm all right, Mugs, not even scratched and not stunned. Hurry up and get me out of here, and watch that chap. Muggs was on his feet looking wildly about the room. There was no ladder, no rope, nothing that could reach to the bottom of that twelve-foot pit. But there was a couch in the corner, and Mugs tore off the cover and carried it to the pit's edge. "'Grab it while I brace myself, boss,' he directed. "'Then climb. I can hold you.' And so Verbeck emerged from the pit, bracing his feet against the wall of it and climbing hand over hand up the couch cover, while Mugs above braced his feet and bent his feet and bent

Starting point is 00:54:31 back, gripping the other end of the cloth. Then the trap-door was closed again. "'Have you killed him?' Verbeck cried when he saw the form of the black star on the floor. "'I felt like it, but I thought you'd want him again, boss. I just gave him a smash behind the ear. "'Ah! Don't you think we'd better call the police now, boss? I got a hunch.' You heard what he said, didn't you, Muggs? If the police take him in, the others will discover it, and escape. And he said some other things that have me guessing. How did he know what I said last night at a private reception in a private residence, huh?

Starting point is 00:55:19 I know none of his crooks was close enough to overhear me. And how does he know what's in my safe? He says he even knows the combination of it, and I don't doubt him. then what are we going to do boss verbeck had slipped off his robe and now handed it together with the mask to mugs put these outside in the box then hurry back he directed as mugs rushed away verbeck bent forward and took off the black star's mask there was revealed the not unhandsome face of a man about forty-five verbec contemplated this countenance as he started to remove the black star's robe it was one he had never seen before despite the black star's words verbeck had been half of a mind that the master crook was some one known to the city in general as a respectable man a sort of jekyll and hide mugs returned and the black star was gagged and bound with a curtain that mugs tore from one of the doorways and ripped into strips and now verbeck began he did not complete the sentence on the wall above his head a bell tinkled verbeck and mugs looked at each other the same idea in the mind of each

Starting point is 00:56:50 another crook mugs whispered no doubt what'll we do verbeck hesitated a moment this is a great chance mugs he said finally i'll play the black stars part i'll be a crook protemporary what kind of a crook is that the kind i'm going to be mugs hurry get this chap in the other room and shut the door and watch as mugs obeyed verbeck put on the black star's robe and mask the little bell jangled again on the wall below it was a button and this button verbeck pushed he could hear the click as the door was unlocked and he slipped through the door by which the black star had made his entrance and found himself in another dusty, unfurnished room. In a moment he heard someone enter the other door. He waited for a time, as the Black Star had done, then opened the door and walked boldly into the room,

Starting point is 00:58:02 nodding his head to the other man in robe and mask and taking his position at the Black Star's blackboard. Number eight, the other wrote. Counter sign? Harvard Verbeck did not know, of course, whether it was the proper countersign, but he had to take the chance. Report, he wrote.

Starting point is 00:58:27 Have information you desire. The man stepped away from the blackboard, put one hand beneath his robe, and took out a letter which he threw on the table. Then he went back to the blackboard and stood at attention. verbeck went to the table and picked up the letter he ripped it open watching the other meanwhile then lowered his eyes to read what was written there was startling and very much to the point mrs grystman will wear diamonds and rope of pearls at charity ball they will be taken from safe deposit box during the afternoon after the ball they will be kept in safe and grystman's library. Safe is old one. Library is on first floor. One door opens into hall. Three windows,

Starting point is 00:59:24 one opening on veranda and others on side of house, and shaded from street lights by vines and trees. All servants sleep on second floor in the rear. Mr. and Mrs. Greistman and daughter sleep on same floor in front, ladder, ladder on left side of hall parents on right side as you face rear of house daughter subject to insomnia especially after brilliant society events and often takes sleeping draft there it was full information that indicated the black star contemplated getting the grystmann jewels reported by means of the organization no doubt the note had been written on a typewriter and there were no marks on the envelope any active crook might have been able to discover where the members of the grystmann family slept and learned where the safe was kept and how the doors and windows of the library were located but only someone in close touch with the family could know when they anticipated taking the jewels from the safe deposit box and where they would be kept the night after the ball verbeck found himself wondering how this information had been obtained and whether the man who now stood before him in robe and mast had obtained it or was merely a messenger to carry it to the black star

Starting point is 01:00:55 he stepped back to the blackboard and picked up the chalk again where did you get information he wrote as you instructed came the written answer verbeck could ask no more without betraying himself he had no idea regarding the identity of the man before him it was possible of course for him to call mugs from the other room and overpower the crook but it was doubtful if the man would talk and reveal anything after he discovered he was not dealing with the black star but with an outsider and what verbeck wanted was accurate knowledge he would have to be careful not to arouse the man's suspicion good he wrote on the blackboard then he nodded to the man as if in dismissal but the other did not seem ready to go and acted as if there was something wanting any orders he wrote finally verbeck remembered the pile of letters on the end of the table and now he went over and inspected them they were orders for members of the band evidently for on each envelope a number was stamped. He found the one marked eight and took out the sheet of paper it contained. There were the orders the Black Star had prepared for this man. At three o'clock in the afternoon there is a committee meeting of the Browning Club in a parlor of the second floor of the National Hotel, at which Miss Frieda Breakland will be present.

Starting point is 01:02:37 managed to be in the lobby of the hotel after the meeting and meet Miss Breakland as if by accident. Talk of the charity ball and ascertain whether she is to wear the famous Breakland jewels at that affair. Report in usual manner here at ten o'clock at night, and remember that no excuse can be accepted for failure. Here was another glimpse of the Black Star's work. verbeck after a moment's thought decided to give the man his orders and let him go he would continue to play at being the black star and discover all he could of the master kirk's plans perhaps he would be able to prevent the wholesale theft of valuable jewels for it appeared that the black star intended a series of crimes following the charity ball this man before him had orders to report the following night so there was no object in exciting his suspicions now verbeck would have given a great deal at that moment to have been able to peer behind the other man's mask who was this man before him who could be expected to engage miss frieda breakland in conversation without arousing suspicion somebody who belonged in the city surely somebody who belonged in the city surely somebody who had been expected to engage miss frieda breakland in conversation without arousing

Starting point is 01:04:00 somebody who belonged in the city surely somebody well known in society for frieda breakland was one of the most exclusive and unapproachable women of the younger set verbec was annoyed by the black star's threat that the chickens might come home to roost he was astounded at the lines of information gathered for the benefit of the master crook and a multitude of questions rushed to his mind none of which he could answer he decided to refrain from calling in the police at present at least until he discovered more and now to verbeck came another plan he decided to use he placed the orders on the end of the table and motioned for the other man to pick them up then he hurried to his blackboard and wrote supplementary orders there pass the northwest corner of first avenue and american boulevard at exactly two o'clock in the afternoon on your way to the hotel stop on corner remove hat and pretend to brush dust from it if there is to be any change in your orders an envelope will be slipped to you at that time otherwise go ahead as you have been directed it seemed to verbeck that the other man expressed surprise in the way his shoulders straightened and his head lifted and for an instant verbeck feared he had attempted too much but the other only nodded that he understood then saluted and backed out of the door two minutes later mugs came in from the other room and reported that the crook had put robe and mask in the box outside and had hurried away

Starting point is 01:05:52 i'll get him verbeck said he'll stop on that corner and give the sign and then i'll follow him i'll learn who it is that's helping the black star gather valuable information we've got to stick to the game now mugs old man i'd call the police not yet i'm going to play this game myself until it gets too hot for me the black star challenged me didn't he i'll have plenty of evidence before i call in the police what about the chief crook in the other room he's conscious again verbeck paced the floor for a time his head bowed thinking i have it he exclaimed at last you get out of here mugs and hurry to the garage and get my car stop at the rooms and get that bunch of keys in the right-hand drawer of my desk the keys to the old place yes we'll take the black star there mugs bring the car to the corner nearest this house then hurry in and help with him we've got to have it done before dawn. Hurry! That's what we'll do, Mugs. We'll take the Black Star to the old house,

Starting point is 01:07:18 and there you'll guard him while I play Master Crook in his mask and robe. End of Chapter 4. Recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 5 of the Black Star by Johnston McCully. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. by Roger Maline. Chapter 5. Mugs on Guard

Starting point is 01:07:53 When Mugs had departed, Verbeck got up and walked into the other room, where the black star was on the floor in an uncomfortable position. Mugs had left the window open, and the cold air swept in, bringing sleet and snow with it. It had been all one with Mugs whether the black star froze to death or not. Verbeck closed the window. He didn't want to carry the man into the furnished room for fear some other member of the gang

Starting point is 01:08:26 might come to make a report, although now it was almost three o'clock in the morning. So he threw the door open wide and rolled in the couch and lifted the black star upon it, covering him with two heavy portires that hung before one of the doors. However, there was no expression of thanks, in the Black Star's countenance.

Starting point is 01:08:51 Verbeck went back into the other room and closed the door behind him. He took a candle from a shelf in the corner and lighted it, then made an inspection of the house from bottom to top. No other room was furnished. There were no arrangements for cooking,

Starting point is 01:09:09 no store of food. The Black Star then did not live here, only came here to receive the members of his gang. that would make it possible for verbeck to remain away from the house except at night he went back to the furnished room and conducted an investigation there first he looked at the orders in the envelopes nine was the highest number there but verbeck did not know how many envelopes had been given out that night before his arrival and the orders were astounding only one had to do with gathering information the others concerned projected crimes some of them verbeck could not understand since they referred to orders given previously but others indicated not only crimes but the manner in which they were to be committed they told what to steal and just where to steal it where there was danger and where there was none verbeck began considering whether he should give these orders out if any more men called taking the place of the black star did not include aiding in crimes he told himself

Starting point is 01:10:26 he would issue orders of his own orders that would keep the members of the band from their nefarious business but at the same time would keep them in touch until he could arrange a wholesale capture verbeck fumbled around the end of the table for several minutes before he found the spring which released the drawer and caused it to open as he and mugs had seen earlier in the night there was an abundance of money in the drawer there were half a score of diamond rings too a pearl necklace other gems there was a box of little rubber type and an ink pad and a small memoranda book verbeck opened the book on the last written page of it he found something that interested him at the top was a date that very day and below was a list of numbers with hours set opposite the book told when members of the band were expected to report verbeck found that the first was number three due at nine o'clock that night and from then until two o'clock that night and from then until two o'clock the next morning others were due at stated intervals the entire band it was evident was to appear for orders within a few hours and comparison of the book with the printed orders gave verbeck an inkling of the scheme the black star had indeed planned a staggering blow to the city's pride his band of crooks was to make a specialty of stealing jewels taken from safe deposit boxes to be worn at the charity ball for a few hours these valuable jewels would be protected only by ordinary safes in residences and during those few hours the members of the black stars band would strike

Starting point is 01:12:26 verbec went in to see that the black star was as comfortable as he could be while bound and gagged and then walked over to the window the storm was dying down the snow and sleet had almost ceased to fall but the cold seemed to be increasing returning to the furnished room he sat down beside the table to wait an hour from the time mugs had departed the bell tinkled Verbeck adjusted his mask and touched the button that opened the door. In a moment, Mug stood beside him. "'Here are the keys, boss,' he said. "'I've got the car near the mouth of the alley, and the lights are out. We can take him along the hedge.' "'Good,' Verbeck interrupted.

Starting point is 01:13:21 They went inside and lifted the black star and carried him out. Verbeck took off mask and robe and put them on the table, and one by one blew out the candles. Then he closed the door and helped Mugs carry the black star through the musty hall. Another moment, and they were outside. It was not particularly a difficult test to carry their man along the hedge and to the car, and there Verbeck put him in the back and got in beside him, while Mugs took the wheel. they made their way slowly up the hill and to a well-paved street and there mugs turned on the lights and the car rushed forward through the night the old verbeck place was one of the city's landmarks it was closed now and had been closed for the greater part of the past five years

Starting point is 01:14:18 it had been bequeathed verbeck the last of his family by his father and the young man had had no desire to repair it and live in it alone with a staff of servants he preferred his apartment and to live in it with no servant except mugs but now betrothed to wed faustina wendell verbeck was contemplating tearing down the old house and directing a mansion in its place for his bride the present house occupied the centre of the block it was surrounded by trees and tangled underbrush the walks about it were in poor condition and nobody ever approached it it was to this place that he was taking the black star it was a long cold ride the black star groaned and threw his head from side to side indicating that he wanted the gag removed but verbeck declined to accommodate him he was taking no chances with the black star the machine lurched and skidded along the streets dashed along boulevards swung around corners. Mugs was putting on all possible speed, for the dawn was not far away. The machine was finally brought to a standstill before the double gates that opened into the driveway of the old Verbeck place. Verbeck got out and helped Mugs throw open the gates,

Starting point is 01:15:55 and they drove in. There was fuel in the house, and after they had carried the black star in and made him comfortable on a couch. Verbeck built a fire in the large grate in the living room. Then he removed the man's gag and all his bonds except those which held his hands fastened behind his back. There, Mr. Black Star, he said, It has been an exciting night. You sent a man to invade my apartment,

Starting point is 01:16:27 and in turn I invaded your place of business, I suppose that is what you'd call it, and made you prisoner, with the aid of this very good friend of mine. And now you are here, and I'm quite sure you don't know just where. And here you'll remain for the time being, until I form some plans and put them in operation. You'll be kept warm, and you'll have food. Mugs will guard you, and you'll be unable to escape. all very clever the black star retorted but you are playing with fire mr verbeck and are liable to be badly scorched i'll run the risk of that remember i told you my organization has a long arm i'm storing all this up against you very kind of you i'm sure he turned to mugs how do you want to work this thing he asked

Starting point is 01:17:34 just let him fuss around with his hands tied boss muggs said i'll get a strap or some rope from the closet and tie him properly and if he tries any funny tricks i'll either shoot him or pound him on the head with the butt of the gun tis immaterial you can leave it to me boss and verbeck knew by the expression of mugs's face that he could end of chapter five recording by roger maline chapter six of the black star by johnston mcculley this librovoc's recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline chapter six an unprofitable afternoon verbec put his car in the garage returned to his apartment and slept he awakened at eleven o'clock rushed through bath and breakfast got the car out again, purchased groceries, and whirled away toward the old house. There he found mugs pacing back and forth, with the pistol in his hand, reading the Black Star a lecture on the evils of a nefarious existence. The Black Star looked disgusted.

Starting point is 01:19:04 "'If you're going to keep me prisoner,' he told Verbeck, i'd be obliged if you'd give me another jailer what's the matter with mugs barring the fact that he is insane he may be all right i don't want to be tucked to death verbeck gave him a grin for answer and unpacked the groceries he had small time to spend here and taking mugs into a corner he bade him be sure to guard the prisoner carefully you may not see me again until to-morrow morning mugs he said i'll be busy this afternoon and to-night i'm going to that house where the black star has his headquarters and start some plans going you'll be careful boss i'll be careful mugs when it comes time for sleep what are you going to do here stay awake i guess there is a vegetable pit in the basement remember get plenty of blankets from the closet and put them there and make him climb down and sleep on them you can bolt the trap-door and sleep in peace here before the fire careful now i'm off at one o'clock he put the car in the garage again for he had decided he'd not use it that afternoon precisely at ten minutes of two he was standing at the corner on which he had directed the crook the night night before to fumble with his hat and await orders.

Starting point is 01:20:44 It happened to be a pet day with shoppers. Traffic officers worked furiously to keep the crossings free of vehicles. Uniformed footmen opened limousine doors and helped well-dressed women across the walks and into shops. Conversations seemed limited to dry goods and bargains. Verbeck had not remembered how the corner would be threw. wronged when he gave the black stars man his orders the corner now was a jam of human beings verbeck crossed the street and stood beside a stone pillar in front of a show window from where he could watch easily the hour of two arrived and verbeck scrutinized every man who passed the corner five minutes passed and no one had given him the signal and then he saw howard wendell

Starting point is 01:21:39 the brother of his fiance walking slowly down the street close to the curbing verbeck drew back quickly behind the pillar if howard wendell saw him he undoubtedly would stop to talk and verbeck did not want to hold a conversation just then wendell passed without seeing him he stopped for an instant on the corner he removed his hat and he ran one hand around the brim of it as if brushing away dust verbeck's jaw dropped and his eyes bulged with amazement the next instant he was chuckling at the coincidence of it there was no possibility of howard wendell being a member of the black stars band of course the boy accidentally had done what verbeck had ordered the crook to do that was all and when he came to think of it verbeck realized it was a natural thing for any man to do and wished he had told the crook to use some other sign howard wendell walked on up the street and verbeck continued his watch the minute slipped by and no other man gave the sign a doubt entered verbeck's mind a doubt entered verbeck's mind that boast he had made at the reception howard wendell had heard that and the black star had known of it soon afterward and howard had given the correct sign bosh can't be verbeck muttered to himself i'm a fool to think it for a minute why on earth would howard be mixed up with a gang of crooks even if he wanted to be how could he get into a first-order gang like that of the black star. They'd not have him. I'm crazy to think of it. He looked at his watch. It was a quarter of three.

Starting point is 01:23:40 He decided to go to the hotel where the unknown Crook was to hold conversation with Miss Frieda Breakland. Perhaps he could decide the matter there, learn the Kirk's identity. The lobby of the hotel was thronged when Verbeck entered. He met men and women he knew, but managed to keep free from lingering conversation he wanted to be at liberty to make a complete investigation then he met fustina wendell face to face why roger she gasped fancy meeting you here i've heard you say you hate hotel lobbies i came in to take a peek so i'll hate them more verbeck replied and you browning club meeting dear is it over already a quarter of an hour ago in fact we met only to postpone it for everyone is talking of the charity ball to-morrow night i see said verbeck he did see that he had missed his chance to learn the identity of the crook i came down in the electric faustina continued come along home with me if you haven't an engagement he entered the electric and sat beside her as she piloted the car through the busy streets she was giving all her attention to the driving and he did not attempt conversation

Starting point is 01:25:16 and now that her face was in repose it seemed to verbeck that there was a peculiar expression on it one that he was not used to seeing he would have sworn that the girl beside him who had promised to be his wife was anxious worried and that was foreign to her nature the wendels had been wealthy once but were not now mr wendell had died two years before leaving an estate much smaller than was anticipated his widow had built a modern apartment house and from it derived an income the wendels living in one of the apartments on the first floor yet they had enough to maintain their position in society and this was an important position for the wendels were an old pioneer family noted for piety and pride you are looking tired verbeck observed you're not very complimentary roger perhaps i am a bit tired though too much charity ball he asked i am not worrying much about that i intend going of course i should hope so verbeck said would it disappoint you very much if i said i'd rather not nothing you can do will disappoint me he said loyally but i cannot imagine a charity ball without you in attendance are you thinking of remaining away she was looking ahead and verbeck imagined that her lips quivered for an instant is anything the matter he asked you don't seem to be yourself to-day i oh it is nothing roger

Starting point is 01:27:10 perhaps i am a bit nervous let us talk of something else here we are at home you'll come in of course he followed her inside and greeted her mother who immediately left them alone now verbeck said bending toward her tell me what is troubling you i can see that there is something really it is nothing roger perhaps i am a bit out of sort and what I said about the ball, forget that, please. But if you do not wish to go, he said. Can't we decide it tomorrow afternoon, dear? All right, let us leave it until then. Perhaps I'll be feeling better. And there is no trouble, nothing I can do to help, he persisted.

Starting point is 01:28:07 Foolish boy, I'm just, just tired. then i'm going to run right away and let you rest i ought to be downtown anyway i'll telephone the garage from my car he went to the telephone and sent in his call then returned to sit beside her she was trying hard to smile and act naturally but verbeck knew something was troubling her but he imagined it might be something connected with the family finance and so did not press her for an answer the car came from the garage and verbeck left and drove through the streets in a way that defied all traffic ordinances he had failed to identify the crook who had received orders to speak with miss frieda breakland and something was troubling his fiancee and faustina had refused to confide in him it had been an unprofitable afternoon and there was a busy and dangerous night before him end of chapter six recording by roger maline chapter seven of the black star by johnston mcculley this librovoc's recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline chapter seven identical orders eight o'clock that night found roger verbeck in the black star's headquarters the room put in order and the candles burning

Starting point is 01:29:51 he was sitting at the end of the long table in robe and mask and with the little rubber stamps he was busy writing out orders all the orders were identical the ones previously written by the black star had been destroyed promptly at nine o'clock the little bell on the wall tinkled and verbeck shutting the drawer in the table and holding his automatic in readiness beneath his robe went to the wall and pressed the button that opened the door he hurried from the room and waited presently he entered again to find a masked and robed figure standing before the blackboard number and counter sign were given and verbeck handed the the man his orders and a $20 bill taken from the drawer in the table. The man bowed and went out. 9.30 brought another man, and the same ceremony was observed. Ten o'clock brought the member of the band to whom Verbeck had given orders the night before. After he had written his number and counter sign, Verbeck whirled to the blackboard.

Starting point is 01:31:07 "'Report,' he wrote. browning club meeting was postponed and i missed the person you mentioned the other scribbled on the board i followed her and spoke with her later in a tea-room she will wear her jewels including the famous ruby collar verbeck nodded for the man to erase again he found himself wondering at the identity of this man who could talk so freely to frieda breakland and now he wrote on the blackboard himself why did you not carry out orders pardon but i did you appeared at the corner i mentioned yes nobody approached me so i went on as ordered verbeck wondered whether the man was speaking the truth whether he had appeared at the corner as ordered and verbeck had missed him it was possible he knew because of the throng of shoppers and again the robe effectually disguised the man before him but verbeck imagined he was taller than howard wendell he told himself again he was a fool to think that the man before him was his fiance's brother he had half a notion to order him to remove his mask but thought better of it this man was a crook could be nothing else and verbeck dared do nothing that would arouse suspicion and endanger the plan he had formed very well he wrote on the board then went to the table and tossed the proper envelope toward the other the man picked it up and read the orders it seemed to verbeck that he appeared startled

Starting point is 01:33:00 he went to the blackboard and wrote again are you sure sir that these are my orders yes verbeck wrote must i carry them out they must be carried out to the letter wrote verbeck the other hesitated a moment then wrote rapidly on the board you are unfair but i am unable to help myself and then as verbeck started forward the other saluted and darted out of the door to hurry down the dusty hall roger returned to the table he half wished he had forced the other man to remove his mask ten thirty o'clock brought a woman verbeck knew she was a woman because he could see her hands the fingers covered with rings and the bottom of her skirts showed beneath the robe her writing on the blackboard was unmistakably feminine too the black star had said that women belonged to his organization but verbeck had not anticipated meeting one in this house he had believed they worked on orders transmitted by others everything arranged the woman wrote on the board it will be easy i'll get the necklace about three o'clock in the morning and hide it where you ordered it may be found there any time after four o'clock here verbeck found himself facing something of which he knew nothing some crime already outlined by the black star disregard all previous orders he wrote for the time being i have new orders for you and you'll attend to them first do you understand yes she wrote

Starting point is 01:34:57 he threw her envelope on the table and she read the instructions it contained she too scribbled a protest on the blackboard isn't it dangerous she wrote carry out your orders you do not know all the scheme remember i understand i'll obey then she hurried out at eleven o'clock the bell tinkled again and verbeck admitted another of the band this one too was a woman she appeared timid whereas the first had given every indication of being used to this sort of thing her hand trembled as she wrote her number on the board then she gave her countersign and waited evidently she was not working on a case but had reported to get orders verbeck had no orders ready for her for her number had not been on the list he had found in the black star's book apparently this was her first visit or else the black star had not contemplated making use of her at the present time he took orders he had printed for one of the others and put them on the end of the table motioning for her to pick them up and rewritten for her to pick them up and read. As she advanced toward the table, Verbeck found that her eyes were upon him, and she seemed afraid to touch the envelope. She opened it, finally, read quickly, and Verbeck thought she gave a little cry. She staggered backward, but seemed to regain her composure as he started forward to

Starting point is 01:36:39 aid her, and backed away from him. The sheet of paper fluttered from her hand to the floor. verbeck stooped and picked it up and handed it to her she did not seem to see it she was looking down at verbeck's hand like a wild thing she whirled around and rushed back to the blackboard and seized the chalk where did you get that ring she wrote rapidly verbeck answered on his board why do you fancy it where did you get it that is my personal and private business he wrote the ring was a peculiar signet he had picked up abroad and had worn for years the woman dropped the chalk to the floor she raised one hand as if to put it to her face she dropped it again her eyes burned into verbex from behind her mask then she gave a cry that expressed pain and despair and hurried through the door and into the hall well what do you think of that verbeck mused was she really frightened or only playing a part i wonder if the black star has been treating her badly and has made her afraid of him she seemed awfully interested in my ring because she'd never noticed it on the black star's hand i suppose if she should be suspicious but she couldn't do anything if she was the members of the band continued to arrive at intervals but there were no more women verbeck received their numbers and countersigns and gave out copies of the orders

Starting point is 01:38:33 at three o'clock in the morning he decided there were no more to come two women and eight men had been received during the night ten persons had walked into the trap he had construed instructed. Less than 24 hours, and the black star in his band would be in the hands of the police. Verbeck felt that he had planned well. At half-past three o'clock, he left the house and walked five blocks to catch an owl car. Half an hour later, he was on the boulevard, approaching the building in which he had his rooms. As he reached the steps of the apartment house, he happened to turn and turn in a building. glanced down the street. He saw a man dodged behind a lamp post a short distance away. Verbeck stepped into the vestibule, waited a moment, then stepped out again quickly. Again, he saw the man dodge behind the post. Darting down the steps, Verbeck ran toward the man.

Starting point is 01:39:39 A shadowy form rushed across the driveway and lost itself in the shadows of the underbrush. Verbeck stopped and retraced his steps. He doubted whether he could catch the man, and he wasn't inclined to pursue him at that hour of the morning. Perhaps it was not a man watching him, but a lurking thief, he thought, and at the same time he felt that he had been under surveillance. End of Chapter 7.

Starting point is 01:40:11 Recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 8 of The Black Star by John mcculley this librovoc's recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline chapter eight the police get a tip verbeck arose at noon to face the day that meant the culmination of his plans as he bathed and shaved and dressed he kept thinking of the prowler he had seen a few hours before could it be possible he asked himself that some of the black stars ban had grown suspicious and would take an active part against him had the black star a prisoner in the old verbeck house sent out some message from his prison calling for rescue verbec was half afraid he had made some blunder had overlooked something that would allow the master criminal to turn the tables and emerge victor from the duel of wits he telephoned the garage for his roadster and hurried out to the old verbi place, taking with him a lineman from the telephone company's office. The lineman connected the telephone, which had been out of service. How is the prisoner? Verbeck asked Mugs after the lineman had departed.

Starting point is 01:41:40 Down in the vegetable pit, thinking of his sins. Fetch him up, Verbeck directed, and began carrying in the food he had purchased before running out from town. It was a surly, black star, who entered the living room, with mugs at his heels urging him on. He no longer was handsome because of a two-day's growth of beard and dark circles under his eyes. He glared at mugs malevolently as he crossed the room and sat down stiffly on a divan. How long? he demanded a verbeck.

Starting point is 01:42:16 Are you going to keep me prisoner with a maniac for jailer? Probably until a late hour to-night. but you need not be confined in the pit again i'm going to have mugs keep you in this room where it is warm and comfortable i want to give you a bit of liberty until to-night and then i'll probably hand you over to the police and you'll have mighty small freedom for years to come indeed the black star snarled you have arranged everything have you planned a coup of some sort? Time will tell, said Verbeck. And don't you ever stop to fear for yourself? I haven't felt particularly afraid at any time.

Starting point is 01:43:10 I have warned you that the arm of my organization is a long one, I remember, said Verbeck. The arm of the law also is long, Mr. Black Star, and a clever honest man can outwit a clever crook any time, as I said once before. You called it a boast, I believe. You are not done yet. Certainly not, but I'll be done within a few hours. Verbeck walked to a corner and beckened mugs to him.

Starting point is 01:43:46 I'll return tonight sometime after nine o'clock, he said. I want you to watch. the Black Star well, Muggs. If he escapes now... Why don't you call in the police, boss? And spoil everything? I'm going through with this now. I'm going to nab the Black Star and his gang. Then there's something big coming off, and I'm not to be in on it, Mugs demanded. Neither am I, Muggs, at the moment it comes off, but we'll both be in at the finish. and will be there strong. Just curb your curiosity, Muggs, until this evening. I'll explain

Starting point is 01:44:30 everything then. Careful now, and don't let the black star escape. I fancy you've been aggravating him. Ah, boss! He looks it, haven't you? I was just reciting a list of his sins, boss. Well, Mugs, recite letters. and keep your eyes open more. Watch every move he makes. Don't you use that telephone, and don't let the black star get near it. I had it connected so we can use it tonight. Now, I'm off. He got in the roadster and started back downtown. He stopped before a suburban drug store and went into a telephone booth. He had not wanted to send this telephone message from his own apartment, nor from the old Verbeck place, for it might be traced.

Starting point is 01:45:27 He called police headquarters and asked to be connected with the chief. No, he said, the chief secretary wouldn't do. It was something about the black star. In a moment he heard the chief's gruff voice. Listen carefully, Verbeck told him, for I am not going to repeat what I say or answer questions. This is very important, and if you disregard it, you'll be sorry. Have your secretary get on the phone extension and take down in shorthand what I am going to say. There was a short wait while the chief made the necessary arrangements. Then Verbeck heard himself commanded to speak.

Starting point is 01:46:14 I have run down and caught the black star, he said. I am holding him prisoner now. I cannot hand him over to you just yet, for if I did and the least news of it leaked out, you'd never catch one of his gang, and without his gang, you never could convict him. Never mind how I know it. I am not talking nonsense. You've got that? An excited voice told him that the chief understood. Now, listen to this, Verbeck went on. I have arranged for all the Black Stars' band to be at a certain place at the same time,

Starting point is 01:46:56 so you and your men can take them all. Keep quiet, Chief, and don't ask questions. I want you to send men enough to arrest them. Eight men and two women are in the crowd. They are to be arrested just when and where I say. If you let as much as one of them escape, all my work, and yours probably, have been for nothing. When you get them, you'll find stolen property on every one.

Starting point is 01:47:26 And as soon as I learn you have all of them under arrest, I'll turn over the black star to you. I'll tell you where and how he met the members of his gang and gave them orders, and I'll let you have the inside workings of one of the smoothest crook schemes ever devised. But if you make one false move—' over the wire stopped him for a moment. No questions, I said, he went on. You have understood so far? Very well.

Starting point is 01:48:00 No, I'll not tell you who I am or where I am. Very well, if you'll not listen, I'll call you up later when you're in a better mood and explain where you are to make the catch. Goodbye. And an irate Roger Verbeck's strode from the telephone booth, went out to the street, and sprang into his car to drive furiously down the thoroughfare. No excited chief of police could bully him with a lot of mandatory questions, he told himself.

Starting point is 01:48:35 Let them fuss and fume for a time, then they'd listen when he telephoned. His actions had the desired effect. At police headquarters, there was a spirited debate for five minutes, between the chief and his secretary as to whether the telephone communication had come from some practical joker. The secretary was inclined to believe that it had. The chief insisted that some member of the Black Star's band had turned against him and was engineering his downfall. Burbeck drove on through the streets until he reached the Wendell apartment house. Fostina was waiting for him, and again, Then Verbeck noticed that anxiety was stamped on her face, and now he thought there was a look of fear also.

Starting point is 01:49:27 Well, here we are, he said. And what about the ball? I have decided to go, she said, looking at him peculiarly. Brother Howard going, too? Yes, he is going. With any particular young lady? no alone good will you be angry fostina if i ask you to go to the ball with howard i cannot explain just now but-well i'll be there late in time to have a couple of dances and bring you home i'm sorry that i cannot explain exactly it is something important that will keep me away until late he looked up to find her staring at him fixedly why what is the matter he stammered i oh roger it is nothing

Starting point is 01:50:29 he sat down beside her and started to take her in his arms but she drew away from him why faustina i'm oh i'm just a bit nervous roger there seemed to be something troubling you yesterday and there certainly is to-day he said can't you confide in me festina is there anything wrong anything i can do to help nothing you can do to help she said then there is something wrong don't ask me please roger i'm nervous worried just let me rest until to-night i'll try to be all right then certainly i'll go to the ball with howard and expect you later and now you'll go won't you roger i must lie down and rest the puzzled verbeck walked slowly to the door faustina following him he took her in his arms and kissed her she did not return the caress and she seemed on the verge of tears don't worry he said softly you tell me not to worry why yes perhaps whatever is troubling you will cease to trouble we'll talk of it to-night you'll let me help you yes she said we'll talk of it to-night we must talk of it to-night verbeck hurried out got into the car and started for the business district. Faustina's actions and manner worried him, yet his mind was busy with the

Starting point is 01:52:20 Black Star and his affair. Once the Black Star and his band of crooks were handed over to the police, he'd look into Faustina's trouble, he told himself. Perhaps Howard was running about too much. Perhaps there was financial trouble in the family. Whatever it was, he'd smooth things out, he He couldn't have Faustina worrying. He drove carefully now through the heavy traffic and finally stopped before a hotel. There he entered a public telephone booth and called police headquarters again.

Starting point is 01:52:59 Once more he got the chief on the wire. Will you listen now and ask no questions? he demanded. This is no hoax, so you'd better act on my tip. then he told the chief where the members of the black star's band could be captured and when and how end of chapter eight recording by roger maline chapter nine of the black star by johnston mcculley this librovoc's recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline chapter nine chickens come home to roost that evening there came the heavy winds again they came as night descended to howl about the buildings and shriek through the streets carrying the merest suggestion of snow they swayed the arc lights rattled signs and shook skeletons of trees and then they settled down to a steady blow from the north and soft snow began to fall heavily and through the steady sheet of snow gleamed thousands upon thousands of incandescent bulbs at the big hall where the charity ball was to be held that hall had been built to hold thousands and its capacity would be tested this night on the dancing floor would be women famous in society stately made

Starting point is 01:54:41 patrons, pretty girls enjoying their first social season. Gowns to dazzle would be shown by hundreds, and jewels, precious and famous jewels would flash reflection from myriads of electric lights, jewels taken from safe deposit boxes to be worn at this affair, and then to be returned to their hiding places. The galleries would be filled with spectators, a gigantic orchestra, would please musical ears. In the streets outside, hundreds of limousines would be waiting for the end. Verbeck was thinking of the scene at the big hall, as he drove his roadster out to the old place again shortly after ten o'clock that night. He had intended going to the old house earlier, but had been delayed in carrying out his plans. And now everything was done. There was

Starting point is 01:55:39 nothing more to do except await the appointed hour, call police headquarters, ascertained that the members of the Black Star's band were in jail, and then turn over the Black Star himself. He would have a good excuse to escape the plaudits of the police and reporters at headquarters. He would have to hurry to the big hall to dance with his fiancé and escort her to her home. The gates were open, and Verbeck sent the car. through and along the driveway, and brought it to a stop where it would be shielded by the corner of the house from the swirling snow. When he entered the living room, the black star was sitting

Starting point is 01:56:22 on the die van in the corner, and Mugs was pacing back and forth before him, still preaching on the merits of an honest existence as compared to a life of thievery. "'Everything is lovely, boss,' he reported to Verbeck. This gent has been getting restless, but he hasn't made a move he shouldn't. I've been hoping he would. I haven't taken a pot-shot at a man in ages. We'll have no carnage, Mugs, said Verbeck, laughing. We want to hand him over and tie her, not in pieces. Give me that pistol, and I'll watch the gentleman while you untie his hands and fasten them again in front, instead of behind his back. I'm going to give him a cigar to smoke.

Starting point is 01:57:12 He'll need it to quiet his nerves. Mugs did as he was ordered, and the Black Star accepted the cigar with good grace and puffed at it with evident enjoyment. Do we call the police now, Boss? Mugs asked. Not yet, Muggs. You and I have done a lot of things, boss,

Starting point is 01:57:35 in all corners of the world. he said in a whisper so the black star could not hear when you feel that you can't hold in any longer you make me stop being a valet and let me be a comrade and we'll go out after adventure it's always been all right but about this thing boss i told you i had a hunch i'm afraid your hunch isn't working well this time mugs the thing has a thing has been accomplished. I'm merely waiting here until the police make a move I requested them to make, and then we'll surrender the black star. It hasn't been so very much of an adventure after all, has it, old man? There hasn't been much excitement, not what we call excitement. I'll not be satisfied until the police have their hands on him, boss. Neither shall I, but nothing is going to happen, Mugs, to bother us.

Starting point is 01:58:39 Keep that hunch of yours until another time. Mugs resumed his guard of the prisoner, and though he asked Verbeck nothing concerning the plans he had made, there was a question in the expression of his face. Verbeck lighted a cigar for himself and sat down not far from the black star. He looked at his watch. It is half after ten, he announced.

Starting point is 01:59:07 Mr. Black Star, in exactly an hour and a half, the police will take into custody some of your people, eight men and two women, to be exact. Indeed! Exactly, said Verbeck. Would you mind telling me how this is to be done? I am somewhat interested and wholly skeptical. last night said burbeck i assumed your robe and mask and played at being the black star i destroyed the orders you had prepared countermanded all of which i learned and issued new orders of my own

Starting point is 01:59:49 there was no hitch in the arrangement not one of them became suspicious as far as i could see and the orders the black star asked interest showing an his face. Were the same in each instance, said Verbeck. The orders make it possible for the police to round up the entire gang at one swoop. They'll be kept separate until I turn you over and tell all I know. With those facts upon which to work, the detectives will have no trouble getting confessions. As for you, Mugs and I can swear to enough to convict you, especially after the police. have searched that house where you had your headquarters there was a look of apprehension in the black star's face now but he did not pretend to verbeck that he was alarmed may i ask how you expect to catch these persons he asked

Starting point is 02:00:51 yes and i'll tell you there was a flaw in your perfect arrangement mr black star you taught your crooks to work in the dark and not ask questions. They have faith in you, and if you ordered one of them to enter the first national bank at noon and hold up the first teller to the right, he'd perhaps do it, believing that his work was only a part of a big scheme, and that he'd escape consequences because of some plan of yours. "'True,' said the Black Star, "'I have issued orders that seemed dangerous, but were not so when a man knew all the different angles of my plan. Exactly. And so, when I gave orders that seemed dangerous,

Starting point is 02:01:41 scarcely an objection was raised. You want to know how they are to be captured, hey? Here is a copy of the orders I gave each, Mr. Black Star. Listen to it. Verbeck pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket and read. You will dress? as well as possible evening clothes if you can and attend the charity ball i give you herewith money for ticket and other expenses you will mingle with the crowd on the dance floor and working alone lift all the jewels you can be careful of discovery but do not fear the outcome between ten o'clock and midnight will be the best time for you to do your work

Starting point is 02:02:30 exactly at midnight you will be in the southwest corner of the lobby where there is a drinking fountain before going there put a bit of red ribbon on the lapel of your coat if you see others wearing this sign do not speak to them or give them any attention follow these instructions to the letter and our great plans will be consummated it is to be a big clean-up and all arrangements have been made verbeck ceased reading and looked across at the black star you understand he asked each one thinks he does not know all the plan but will be safe if he carries out his instructions i gave each a bill out of the drawer in the table and i told the women to wear the red ribbon on their shoulders a score or more of detectives will be in the neighborhood at midnight they will take in custody in custody all who wear the red ribbon. A quick search will disclose stolen property in their possession. You see? I don't know whether I'm guilty of a felony or not, ordering them to steal like that, but I guess I'll be forgiven, since it isn't such a good cause. So, there goes your perfect arrangement, Mr. Black Star. Those crooks who have been trusting you will be cursing your

Starting point is 02:03:57 name before long. And you're going to the penitentiary with them. You can't be crooked and get away with it always, no matter how clever you are. And all this, Mr. Black Star, because you overplayed your part by sending a man to put a letter on my desk. You needn't sneer. I'm not meaning to praise myself. There are a thousand men in town who could have overcome you, given the chance I had. I am not sneering at your egotism, said the Black Star, apparently without emotion. I am sneering at the futility of your plans. I warned you, Roger Verbeck.

Starting point is 02:04:44 I told you that chickens come home to roost. So you'll send my men and women to jail, will you? You'll break up my organization? You strike me a death-blow like that? and you'll strike yourself one at the same time i've heard your pointless talk before verbeck said but this is not pointless talk roger verbeck it is very much to the point i told you that i had an organization that gathered information didn't i i said it was separate and distinct from the band that committed the crimes you have made the grave mistake i fear of mixing the two bands together and the consequences will not be to your liking indeed yes indeed how do you suppose i heard of your boast at that reception a few nights ago how do you suppose i know so much about people's private affairs

Starting point is 02:05:51 i'll tell you roger verbeck i know because men and women of your acquaintance belong to my organization you don't believe that huh you will soon i scarcely can imagine any of my friends turning crook not voluntarily perhaps not because they need money either not always explain verbeck said i've told you i have a partner who knows me well he and i work together some of the organization know him but not one knows me nor has seen my face or heard my voice if you are sceptical i'll outline the plan in a few words in chicago for instance we caught a certain youngster of this city when he was in trouble he was extricated from his scrape and the price of it was that he'd join my organization we held something over his head deathly afraid he carried out my orders he feared to refuse through him we brought into the organization the girl to whom he was betrothed threatening to send her sweetheart to prison unless she joined the band you see a sort of endless chain affair i don't believe it verbeck exclaimed you want proof huh in ten minutes roger verbeck you'll be giving me my liberty and you'll be moving heaven and earth with me beside you trying to prevent the capture of those people at the charity ball you know who told me of your boast at that reception he told me because he admires your native cleverness begged me to stop everything and leave town

Starting point is 02:07:56 for he said if you started out to get me you'd do it he was a sensible man and you should have taken his advice said verbeck i am telling you the truth verbeck the man who told me was howard wendell the brother of the girl you expect to marry you lie verbeck cried springing from his chair mugs snarled and stepped forward ready for a fray but verbeck motioned him back i do not lie said the black star i told you to beware that the chickens might come home to roost two months ago howard wendell was in chicago in some business for his uncle we knew him we wanted him a man already a member of the organization saw to to it that Howard Wendell went the pace for a few days. He is but a boy, we'll say. He was easily led. He woke up one morning to find that he had gambled away

Starting point is 02:09:05 $3,000 of his uncle's money. He was almost insane because of what he had done. His friend took him to my partner. My partner gave him the money. But that... Wait! In return, he gave my partner a check drawn on a bank in this city. Of course it was a forged check. Oh, he did not intend it as

Starting point is 02:09:32 deceit. He said the check was worthless. My partner laughed and said he knew it, but that he would keep it until the boy could pay. If he never paid, it would be all right. My partner, you see, owned the gambling house where the money was lost. You begin to understand? verbeck still stood before him hands clenched but the next day he was informed that the check would be presented would be returned and that he would be arrested for having written it unless he did as he was ordered that is how howard wendell became a member of our organization you beat verbeck cried don't beat me up yet please sneered the black star if you stop to do that you'll suffer considerable anguish later i am not done there are more chickens coming home to roost what numbers did the men have those to whom you gave orders fearing verbeck told him so howard wendell is one of them verbeck he is the one of them verbeck he is the one who brought you the letter that first night concerning the Greistman jewels, remember? He'll be one for the police to nab tonight.

Starting point is 02:11:03 He must have been surprised to get orders like that. He understood he was to do nothing except gather information. Verbeck felt that the Black Star was speaking the truth. Howard had objected to the orders, had said that they were unfair to him, but that he was unable to help himself. it had been possible for him to tell the black star of verbeck's boast he had given the sign that afternoon before seeking a talk with frieda breakland and the police would capture howard wendell through verbeck's planning capture him with stolen jewels in his possession and the women the black star asked tell me quickly what numbers did they have verbeck told him the first is one of the cleverest in the organization said the master crook she is an experienced thief but the second small wonder you did not find her number in the book she is a new one that was her first visit and i had ordered it some days before she was brought into the organization through her love for another a member of her family family. So she'll be caught too, eh? And do you know her identity, Roger Verbeck?

Starting point is 02:12:32 Do you know the woman you are handing over to the police through meddling with my affairs? I'll tell you, gladly. She is Miss Faustina Wendell, your fiancée. End of Chapter 9 Recording by Roger Maline Chapter 10 of the Black Star by Johnston McCully This Libervox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Roger Maline Chapter 10. Caught in a net

Starting point is 02:13:14 Silence followed the announcement of the Black Star. Silence for a moment, during which Muggs watched his master and waited for the sign that he was to choke the man in the divan into insensibility for daring to say such a thing. But the sign was not given. Suddenly, Roger Verbeck felt sick at heart. The Black Star's tone, his bearing, the expression in his face, told that he spoke the truth. And Verbeck knew enough to confirm it.

Starting point is 02:13:51 Faustina had been acting in a peculiar manner. And that second woman who had called on him in the Black Star's headquarters, how timid she had appeared how afraid she had reeled when she read her orders she had demanded to know where verbeck got the ring he was wearing and that very afternoon when he met her at her home her words had been mysterious her actions out of the ordinary so you see how it is the black star was saying do you want to save her save her brother also then release me and i'll help for i must save those friends of mine i'm as much in the dark regarding them as you for i've never seen any of their faces remember you realize what will happen if they are caught don't you there could be no escape from the penitentiary for any of them and there are things to be found in my headquarters notes in faustina wendell's handwriting for instance notes giving information he stopped at the look that came into verbeck's face and do you think i'll let you go now verbeck demanded why i'll fight you more than ever now you've made a cat's paw of that boy you've dragged the sweetest and most innocent girl in the world into your filthy scheme the prosecuting attorney won't consider her innocent when he reads those notes

Starting point is 02:15:29 you'd have me let you go then you'd try to drag me into the mess to save my intended wife and through me others and so on it's fight you and beat you now or surrender to you like a coward and let you go and let you go head with your nefarious plans. I'll take the chance, Mr. Black Star. Verbeck looked at his watch. It was a quarter of eleven. He whirled to face mugs. Guard this crook, he cried. Guard him well.

Starting point is 02:16:06 Shoot him if he tries to escape. What are you going to do, boss? I'm going to play the game out to the end. I'm going to the ball and save Faustina Wendell and her brother, and I'm going to see that the police get the others, and then this man here. That's all I have to do. Get Faustina and Howard away in time. This crook's clever scheme has another angle. Nobody can swear the Wendell's are mixed up in this. That's what I have to do. Separate the crooks from the innocent victims. watch that man mugs screeched at him the black star tried to tell him something but roger verbeck had dashed from the house and toward his machine he was almost sobbing and fear gripped at his heart

Starting point is 02:17:02 the chickens had come home to roost no wonder faustina had acted so peculiarly small wonder she had shown anxiety and she was in danger he had ordered her to steal perhaps her love and fear for her brother would lead her to do so she might be caught in the act faustina wendell proud daughter of one of the pioneer families caught stealing jewels and his ring she had recognized that great heaven did she think he was the black star did she imagine he had played on her love to make her a member of a band of thieves what might she not suspect when she had seen that ring she would remember that he had led a sort of wild life in the ends of the earth never showing a tendency to settle down until he had fallen in love with her she might pile up the little things until she had a mound of evidence women do such things she might doubt his manhood really believe he was the master crook brutal enough to endanger her the girl he professed to love and her brother. Had Howard Wendell noticed that ring, too? Had Howard been the midnight prowler, waiting on the boulevard to see what time Verbeck reached home? He was in the car, out of the yard, rushing like the wind down the street, not caring whether

Starting point is 02:18:38 the machine skidded perilously through the snow. It was almost eleven o'clock. He had ample time, more than an hour. It would be a simple thing, after all, merely to get Faustina and Howard to one side, and see that neither wore a red ribbon, let the police capture the others, and then explain. Then another thought came to him. Those notes the Black Star had said were in the house where he made his headquarters. The captured men would talk, mention that house, and the police would search. faustina might be endangered in that way he didn't dare take the chance of leaving those notes until after he went to the ball he'd have to search for them find and destroy them there was more than an hour he had ample time

Starting point is 02:19:34 he drove the machine at a furious pace disregarding police who shrieked at him barely missing trolley cars dodging pedestrians at crossings out along the long boulevard it was easier going for there the wind had swept the pavement clear of snow and there was not so much traffic he left the paved street and cut down the hill toward the old house where the black star had established his headquarters he did not have time to take precautions he trusted to the good fortune that always had stood at his side in emergencies he turned the machine to the curb a block away from the house sprang out and rushed across vacant lots toward his goal through the dusty hall he rushed reaching in his coat pocket for matches he found a candle in the furnished room and lighted it then breathlessly he began his search nothing was in the drawer at the end of the table except what he had seen before there was no furniture in the room in which letters might be concealed he inspected the couch but found nothing he ripped the seat and back from the arm-chair but his search was not rewarded in the kitchen he opened drawers and bins but found nothing except dust and cobwebs he rushed back to the black star's room again his foot found the trigger of the trap-door and he opened it and crept to the edge of the pit to hold the candle and peer down there was nothing but the smooth cement walls and flooring he ripped away rugs searched the floor finally stood panting beside the table in despair

Starting point is 02:21:29 he lied he gasped he must have lied and i have been losing time he looked at his watch again it was one minute after eleven o'clock it would take him only fifteen minutes to reach the big hall where the charity ball was being held if he drove swiftly and so he had time for further search but it seemed of no use staggering against the side of the table he threw out his hand to grip the edge and a drawer shot out he forgot the place and danger and gave a cry of joy accident had accomplished what search had failed to reveal the drawer was half filled with papers he inspected them quickly yes there were several notes in faustina's handwriting and a forged check for three thousand in the boulder scrawl that belonged to howard wendell the black star evidently had had that check close at hand to show the boy now and then in case he thought of quitting the organization there were other letters too the handwriting of which verbeck seemed to recognize but could not quite place letters written by other victims of the black star he supposed he carried them to the grate set them a fire fed them to the flames one at a time he ran back to the table and pressed the edge of it all the way around and found one other drawer there was nothing in it however and he felt that he had secured and destroyed all the dangerous papers there the fire in the grate died down verbeck stirred the ashes to make certain nothing remained that would give a clue

Starting point is 02:23:21 then he blew out the candle and started through the dusty hall to the door as he reached it he stopped in alarm creeping toward the house from the hedge were two men far to the right were two more to the left were two more he heard a sibilant whisper from near the wall a short distance away light from the nearest street lamp flashed against a policeman's shield The police were surrounding the house. End of Chapter 10. Recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 11 of the Black Star by Johnston McCully. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Roger Maline.

Starting point is 02:24:20 Chapter 11. Close quarters. Mugs stood in front of the door for a moment after Verbeck had dashed from the house, then turned to face the black star again. Muggs's lower jaw was shot out, his eyes were narrowed, and but for Verbeck's orders, he probably would have launched himself at the black star and attempted the old-fashioned retaliation known as beating up. Muggs was small in size, but he had great strength in his arms and shoulders, and possessed knowledge of a multitude of tricks to aid him in the arid of the ardued.

Starting point is 02:25:00 of self-defense or aggression. He worshipped Roger Verbeck. He was ready at any time to fight for Verbeck, to defend his life and his happiness. The fact that the Black Star had caused his master misery was enough to make Muggs want to throttle the man, but Verbeck had decreed against that. Mugs wished he was at his master's side, helping him in the fight. He imagined Verbeck driving the roadster at top speed through the streets to the big hall. He fancied him entering upon the brilliant scene there, as he had intended doing at a later hour, getting Faustina Wendell and her brother to places of safety,

Starting point is 02:25:45 then witnessing the capture of the Black Star's band. He anticipated a telephone call from Verbeck telling of success. Meanwhile, he walked back and forth before his prisoner, the pistol held in his hand, and raged at the man in the divan. A cur like you causing a man like Mr. Verbeck pain, he exclaimed. Killings too good for you. I hope you get a life sentence. But he's got you, Mr. Black Star. My boss has you.

Starting point is 02:26:21 Have your little signs pasted on his bed and all over his library, will you? Leave sassy letter. for him, huh? I reckon you're sorry for it now." The Black Star still was smoking the cigar Verbeck had given him. He blinked at Muggs and puffed at the cigar furiously, then suddenly bent forward and bowed his head on his hands. "'That's right,' Mugs went on. Think of your sins.

Starting point is 02:26:52 Do a little wailing yourself. "'Cause my boss trouble, will you?' you'd better put your head in your hands and wish you'd played straight small good it will do you to repent now you scum the black star's head bent lower he was a picture of misery mugs looked at him with scorn and turned to walk the length of the room he stopped his tirade long enough to pick up a sandwich from the table and begin eating it he imagined the black star about to weep because disaster had overtaken him and mugs always felt disgusted when he saw a man weep but the black star was not weeping he was endeavoring a subterfuge when he bowed his head the burning end of his cigar rested against the rope that bound his wrist together now and then he puffed again until the rope was scorched strand after strand was burned through as mugs talked getting your dirty hands on your betters and making them join your gang mugs said walking back toward him you got your hands on one too many i guess and i'll be a witness at your trial too i'll help send you over the road he had passed the black star and was about to turn and at that instant the black star was about to turn and at that instant the black star the black star was about to turn

Starting point is 02:28:22 and at that instant the black star sprang mugs was taken unawares a fist dealt him a blow on the back of the head as he staggered forward trying to turn the pistol was wrenched from his hand and the butt of it crashed against his temple the black star struck him even as mugs had struck the black star in his headquarters room when roger verbeck was shot into the pit take that you whelp the black star cried try conclusions with me will you you and your precious master you haven't whipped me yet there's something in that old house i want money and those letters money to get me away to chicago and the letters to send to the prosecuting attorney with a sarcastic little note i'll fix your precious master and his girl and while he's trying to save her i'll be taking a train out of town as for my crooks bah i never saw their faces they're no friends of mine let em go to prison there are plenty more crooks to be had he kicked the prostrate mugs and hurried from the house he did not know exactly in what part of the city he found himself but he made for a crossing where he had seen a trolley car flash past where he could make a start downtown and mugs groaning in pain remained on the floor but he was not fully unconscious he had heard every word uttered by the black star they seemed to ring in his brain

Starting point is 02:30:10 he kept telling himself he wanted to get up he wanted to do something but he could not he struggled mentally to rise and finally his will was communicated to his muscles he rolled over sat up on the floor dizziness overcame him but he closed his eyes and bit his lower lip and tried to master it and in time he did and staggered to the divan and fell upon it what was it the black star had said that he was going to his headquarters to get money in letters that he was going to leave the members of his band to their fate and make his escape he must stop the black star verbeck's plans would be shattered unless he did and the black star would be a living menace to verbeck unless he was stopped and perhaps would build up another organization in some other city even in this moment of pain mugs though claiming no superior power of reasoning could not help but think what a fool the black star had been to tell verbeck his schemes that was the man's weakness he had to boast it was boasting that had brought him to the close attention of roger verbeck and caused all the trouble my hunch was right mugs muttered i told the boss that i told the boss that i had brought him to the close attention of roger verbeck and caused all the trouble my hunch was right mugs muttered i told the boss that i had a hunch he sat up again the dizziness had passed but his head still pained he must act quickly he kept telling himself over and over then the plan for which he had been groping flashed into his brain mugs sprang to the telephone and called police headquarters he got the chief on the wire

Starting point is 02:32:05 the black star has escaped he cried you'll get his gang down at the dance but you'll not get him unless you hurry he knocked me down and escaped I know where you can catch him, if you're quick." Shotted queries and commands came to him from the frenzied chief. "'A house in the south end of town,' Muggs gasped. "'A deserted house. He has his headquarters there.' "'He's gone there to get money, then he'll get out of town. "'You can catch him.' "'What's that?

Starting point is 02:32:43 "'Oh, yes, I didn't give you the address.' mugs swayed from the telephone but in a moment had gathered his strength and was talking again he gave the location of the house and the chief said that he understood and i'll be there i'll start right now mugs added i'll be there to identify him sudden decision had come to mugs and he stumbled away from the instrument without further words not even stopping to hang up the receiver he hurried across to the door and threw it open and went out the stinging cold air refreshed him he started along the driveway by the time he reached the boulevard mugs was himself again except that the pain pounded in his head because of the blows the black star had given him he hurried along the street half running on the first corner he waited for a car an automobile came along bound for town and mugs hailed the driver he was a private chauffeur going to the big hall to fetch home from the ball some of the women of the family for which he worked mugs told him it was a matter of life and death and the chauffeur allowed him to crawl up beside him and put on speed five minutes later well down in town mugs got off and hailed the first text He saw, offering double pay if good time was made, and the cab soon was rushing toward its destination.

Starting point is 02:34:26 The police had acted promptly on Muggs' information, and as the taxi cab whirled around a corner half a dozen blocks from the goal, Mugs could hear in the distance the shrieking of a siren on a police automobile. He urged his chauffeur to greater speed. at a corner he stopped the cab paid the driver and the next moment was running down the dark side street toward the deserted house he slipped along the hedge and crept near the wall making his way toward the door it was closed and mugs did not try to open it but went on to a window he raised it as he had that first night when verbeck had been with him mugs wanted to get inside and catch the black star at work he wanted just one blow at the black star before the police arrived for the blow that had been given him and for the misery verbeck had been caused then he'd gladly hand the black star over to the authorities he slipped through the window as he did so the police automobile stopped in the nearest corner and men piled out of it and ran forward to surround the house mugs gave them one glance then left the window and stepped softly across the room light was coming through that crack in the door the black star was there mugs put his eye to the crack he did not see the black star he saw roger verbeck just blowing out the candle and starting to enter the dusty hall

Starting point is 02:36:09 the meaning of the situation flashed over mugs in an instant the black star had not arrived yet verbeck had come here to get those letters before going to the big hall and he mugs had brought the police they would capture roger verbeck and there was nothing to prove that roger verbeck was not the black star end of chapter eleven recording by roger maline chapter twelve of the black star by johnston mcculley this librovoc's recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline chapter twelve at the charity ball mugs jerked open the door rushed through the furnished room and entered the hall boss boss he hissed verbec was just recoiling from the outer door he closed it as noiselessly as he could and hurried back. Boss! That you, Mugs? Yes, that devil worked a trick on me.

Starting point is 02:37:29 He got away. He intended to come here and get money, then hurry out of town. I telephoned the police, boss, to come here, and I came myself to identify him. I didn't know that... All right, Mugs, I understand. you did right.

Starting point is 02:37:50 But I let him trick me, and the cops are here. If they catch you, they'll think you're the black star. Verbeck realized that even better than Mugs. If the capture was made at the big hall, and the prisoners questioned, as they would be, and mercilessly, Faustina Wendell and her brother, under the strain, might give evidence that would convict him. We've got to get away, boss.

Starting point is 02:38:18 She had recognized the ring, Verbeck was thinking. Perhaps it was Howard Wendell who had watched as he went home that night. Yes, he'd have to escape. Oh, boss, I said I had a hunch. Quick, Verbeck whispered. And be quiet. My roadster is at the curb, a block away. We must get out and reach it.

Starting point is 02:38:46 How many policemen? a dozen at least boss and there may be another otto full of em coming hush someone is trying that door now into the kitchen with you mugs hurried through the kitchen door verbeck pushed him into a closet and made him remain there until he returned then he went from the kitchen to the dining-room and there he lifted his pistol and sent three shots ringing into the ceiling another instant and he was back in the kitchen in the closet with mugs perhaps they'll think the black star has committed suicide when they hear those shots and find there isn't a light he whispered there is a window behind you mugs can you open it quietly and without attracting attention while those police are wondering about the shots mugs went to work making no noise the window was raised the window was raised a fraction of an inch at a time. Verbeck turned the key in the closet door, for things might come to a pass where seconds of delay would mean everything. Finally, the window was open. Muggs, putting out his head cautiously, looked around.

Starting point is 02:40:07 "'Only one man on this side, boss,' he reported. "'The others have gone around to the door.' "'They're in the house,' Verbeck replied. They're flashing their torches. I can see them in the hall through the keyhole. This side of the house is dark, boss, shaded by trees, and there is a drift of snow against it. We might get out without being heard or seen. Try it, ordered Verbeck grimly. Muggs went first like a shadow, and soon was standing beneath the window in the deep darkness close to the wall. Verbeck followed, almost afraid to breathe,

Starting point is 02:40:50 expecting every second to hear the challenge of a policeman and to be taken. But finally, he too stood in the shadows against the side of the house. One man, Mugs whispered. See him? We've got to hurry. Those cops in the house will be through searching soon. You wait here, boss. Mugs slipped away beneath the trees. verbeck could scarcely see him nearer and nearer he got to the unsuspecting policeman who was watching the group in front of the door then mug sprang and the policeman went down

Starting point is 02:41:29 it had been done without noise with a single blow but not effectually enough to render the officer unconscious for long verbeck hurried across and joined mugs each took a deep breath and then just a short moment just a short moment As the man on the ground raised a cry, they darted out into the open, racing for the hedge. Behind them was a chorus of cries, a fusillade of shots. They got to the other side of the hedge and ran wildly for the street. Behind them came the determined pursuit, a captain shouting orders. As they ran, Verbeck found himself wondering at the queerness of it, that he and mugs had been forced to attack. a guardian of the law in the interests of justice verbeck promised himself to make that policeman a handsome present when things were straightened out more shots whistled near them the police were through the hedge now on and on they ran verbeck slightly in the lead they saw a police auto standing in the street near them another at the end of the block and verbeck's roadster was a block

Starting point is 02:42:45 away. They were in the street now, running at their utmost speed. Behind them came the pursuing policeman, while others rushed toward the automobiles, intending to take up the pursuit in that manner if the quarry got away. Nearer and nearer they came to the roadster. When they reached it, Muggs sprang to the wheel. Verbeck threw himself in beside Mugs. Shoot at him a couple of times, boss and slow them up, Muggs said. That's going too far. Get up on the boulevard. The car started. Another fusillade of shots came, none taking effect. The machine skidded around the corner and dashed at the hill.

Starting point is 02:43:33 It lurched and swayed over the soft snow-covered ground. Behind came the two police automobiles, their siren shrieking. Mugs reached the car. the boulevard and opened her up. He had no idea except to shake-off pursuit. Verbeck glanced at his watch as they passed beneath a light. It was twenty minutes after eleven. Events had been occurring rapidly in the last half-hour, and he was working under a close time limit, too. He had to escape the pursuit, and he had to reach the big hall before midnight to save Faustina Wendell and her brother. Verbeck looked back continually. They did not seem to be gaming. The streets flashed by.

Starting point is 02:44:23 Mug's narrowly evaded collision, a score of times, for he was taking desperate chances. To escape and to save Faustina, and all in forty minutes of time, that was task enough. Added to the mental strain of this was the fact that the black star had escaped, and that verbeck's case would fall down in part because of it yet some of the work would be good for the band would be broken up partially at least if the officers at the big hall caught the thieves with stolen goods in their possession they did not seem to be able to gain on their pursuers and the precious minutes were flying they took corners at a reckless pace zigzagging through the city in a vain attempt to outwit those who followed now and then verbeck waved his hand to indicate a turn and mugs obeyed they skirted the retail district and got to the wholesale district where there was scant traffic at this hour of the night but always behind them came the two police automobiles sirens shrieking officers screeching we can't dodge em boss mugs yelled verbeck looked at his watch again he had only thirty minutes but an automobile going at racing pace can cover a lot of ground in thirty minutes even through the streets of a city

Starting point is 02:45:54 on they dashed twisting and turning never gaining just holding their own down another hill they raced and now they were near the stockyards here there was no pavement here the mud and the mud and the mud and the mud and the road they raced and now they were near the stockyards here there was no pavement here the mud and slush and slime splashed over the machine and around them and the auto lurched and skidded dangerously slow down at the next turn verbeck ordered i'll drop off and you keep on get away if you can work back into town and give them the dodge i can't waste another minute i've got to get to the big hall and i can't get to the big hall and i can't wait for you can't wait for you can't wait to town and give them the dodge i can't waste another minute i've got to get to the big hall and i can't can't do it in the machine, for we can't shake them off. I can take you back nearer the hall, boss. I'd not dare try to drop off there. They might see me. But here, where it is so dark, at the next turning, Mugs. Boss! Here we are. Get away if you can, and if you do, come to the hall later.

Starting point is 02:47:02 I'll be all right. They made the turning, and... And Verbeck dropped off, and then Muggs opened her up again and dashed on along the muddy street, and behind him rushed the determined police in their two automobiles. They passed within forty feet of Roger Verbeck, who was inside a stockade, in close proximity to a hundred startled Texas steers. Less than thirty minutes, and he was at the stockyards. There was not a second to waste.

Starting point is 02:47:35 He could not glance at his watch to get the exact time without striking a match, and he did not dare do that because some watchman might see and apprehend him. He got out of the cattle pen and started running along the street in the dark, toward the nearest car line. Slush and mud splashed over his trousers, and he realized that he would not be the usual well-groomed Roger Verbeck society knew when he invaded the big hall. he boarded a car drew his overcoat close around him and crouched in a corner it seemed that the car stopped at every street that it made wretched time

Starting point is 02:48:18 the blocks never before had seemed so long verbeck looked at his watch again fearing he would be too late he felt on the verge of screeching to the motorman to give the car greater speed finally it was up in town and verbeck got off and rushed for the nearest taxi-cab stand in an instant he was inside a machine and a chauffeur was taking chances to earn the extra pay promised him if he reached the hall before midnight verbeck took out a handkerchief and wiped off his pumps and brushed mud and slush from the bottoms of his trousers as well as he could he smoothed down his hair and tried to regain his composure so that he would appear outwardly calm at least he would have to enter the hall in a matter-of-fact way an excited entrance would attract attention the cab stopped before one of the entrances of the hall verbeck glanced at his watch again it was five minutes of twelve as he sprang out he tossed the show for a bill he took a deep breath threw back his shoulders handed his ticket to the man at the door and stepped into the lobby with a smile on his face three men were loitering at the southwest corner by the drinking fountain two more were approaching and a woman was walking toward the fountain from the opposite direction all the men wore bits of red ribbon on their coat lapels the woman on her right shoulder and verbeck saw something else too men who were scattered about in couples each couple pretending to carry on an animated conversation but watching the corner they were detectives several of whom verbeck recognized

Starting point is 02:50:15 he walked past the fountain swiftly and turned the corner fastena wendell and her brother were approaching him side by side each decorated with the red ribbon in a moment they would be out where the detectives would see if they had not been observed already verbeck had removed his hat and coat and as he turned the corner he tossed them to a check-boy he almost ran forward to meet faustina and howard He knew it lacked but a few seconds to midnight. Quick, he whispered as he met them. Don't ask questions, but for heaven's sake, do as I say. Take off that red ribbon, quick. Howard, get back on the floor. Anywhere to get out of sight.

Starting point is 02:51:07 Faustina, come. Verbeck himself tore the ribbon from her shoulder as Howard removed his own. He pushed Howard ahead of him until he was on the dancing floor. He grasped Faustina about the waist. He waltzed her out into the crowd. The hands of the clock pointed to midnight, and from the southwest corner of the lobby came sounds of a commotion as the detectives, obeying their orders,

Starting point is 02:51:38 closed in on the Black Star's crooks. End of Chapter 12. Recording by Roger Maline. chapter thirteen of the black star by johnston mccully this librovoc's recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline chapter thirteen mugs great little man verbec felt faustina grow limp in his arms and he waltzed her to a position near the wall and the door howard stepped over to them you you faustina was trying to speak don't say a word verbeck whispered i understand everything there is no danger for you i have destroyed all the notes you wrote and the check howard gave but thank heaven i was in time i almost failed to save you to save me careful whisper step closer howard i too was almost caught in the black star's trap i discovered his hiding-place and took him prisoner i knew his gang would have to be caught if ever he was to be convicted and so i tried to play a lone hand against him

Starting point is 02:53:11 mugs warned me he had a hunch he said while the black star was kept prisoner i played his part issued orders got all of the gang to be here to-night then informed the police to take them in you howard began careful act naturally i gave you and faustina orders too not knowing then the black star told me what i had done tried to get me to let him go free and i rushed to that house where he had his headquarters and destroyed the letters and howard's check nobody knows you were involved except the black star and myself and the black star cannot prove anything and that Chicago partner of his you may be sure will remain away you'll never be bothered I've saved you but I had a narrow escape oh Roger Fustina whispered and almost I thought that you were the black star I recognized the ring and your hand and Howard watched that night and saw you go home at four o'clock and the morgue. I was afraid of that, Verbeck said.

Starting point is 02:54:32 I didn't really mistrust you, she said, but it looked so peculiar. And so we came here tonight, but we talked it over first, and decided we'd not steal. I couldn't do it, dear, and neither could Howard. And you must not blame Howard too much about that check. He was young, thoughtless. It had been a great lesson to him. They really stole the money from him, and he got it back from them. We intended going to the corner at midnight, no matter what happened. We expected the worst, but we couldn't steal. My girl, Verbeck breathed. There was more commotion in the lobby. Some of the dancers were walking in that direction, and Verbeck looked.

Starting point is 02:55:26 led Faustina there, with Howard on her other side, in a manner as natural as possible. The Black Star's men and the woman wore handcuffs. Detectives were taking jewels from them, gems they had stolen in the last hour or so. One of the men already was cursing the Black Star aloud, swearing that the Black Star had betrayed them, and declaring he would tell everything he knew. Verbeck was thankful he had gone to the house and destroyed the letters. There were to be eight men and two women, he heard a captain say, where one man and one woman shy.

Starting point is 02:56:09 I saw another woman with a red ribbon on, spoke up one of the detectives. Maybe I'd recognize her if I saw her again. We'll have all the exits guarded, and you can look. verbeck whirled to faustina we've got to get you out of this quick he said that man may have seen you may recognize you if we get out now we are safe for if he saw you on the street afterward in different clothes he'd never recognize you and nobody would suspect faustina wendell but right now it would be dangerous for him to see you what can we do howard asked in sudden alarm. Quiet! Act naturally, for heaven's sake.

Starting point is 02:57:00 Come with me to the door. You came in the electric? Yes, Fustina said. Get all our things in the check-room, Howard, as naturally as possible, remember, and meet us at the door. Already he was leading Fostina toward the nearest entrance.

Starting point is 02:57:21 The captain of detectives was rushing there to go on guard immediately. Howard came from the checkroom, and Verbeck put Faustina's wrap over her shoulders. Wait a minute there! It was the captain of detectives who called to them. I want to see you before you go. Oh, tis you, Mr. Verbeck. You and your young lady and her brother?

Starting point is 02:57:47 Go right along, sir. We're trying to catch a crook or two. We want to watch all. who leave. Sorry to have bothered you, sir." That's all right, Captain, Verbeck said. I hope you catch your crooks! He lifted his hat and led Faustina out into the corridor, Howard following. They went out into the softly falling snow and the blur of thousands of electric lights to safety. They started toward the corner where the electric had been left. But before they

Starting point is 02:58:23 reached it, Verbeck halted in surprise, and with an exclamation of unbelief on his lips. Muggs was running toward him. May I speak to you a minute, boss? he asked. Wondering, Verbeck excused himself and stepped to one side. I've got the black star in the car across the street where it's dark, Mugged said. I gave him a crack on the head and threw him on the floor of the car. and put a robe over him, but he's liable to come too any time. How?

Starting point is 02:59:00 For the love of Mike, boss, hand the devil over to the police and get rid of him. I've still got that hunch." Verbeck hurried back to the others. "'Get in the electric and wait for me at the corner,' he directed. "'I'll be only a minute or so.' As they started on, Verbeck followed. Muggs across the street. He knew exactly what he intended doing. There would be not any waste of time. We'll act on that hunch of yours right now, Mugs, he said. Drive to the entrance of the hall.

Starting point is 02:59:40 In a moment they were there. Verbeck went inside and called the captain of detectives to him. Bring a couple of your men and come out here, he said. I've got the black stork. star for you. Yes, come along. I'm the man who caught him, Captain, and did the telephoning to the chief. The captain and two others followed Verbeck to the curb. The Black Star was groaning, but not yet unconscious. Take him away, Verbeck directed. I've got to escort my fiancée home, and she's waiting in a car at the corner. This is Muggs, my man. He'll follow out to my fiancée's home with a car, and I'll drive right back in it to headquarters and tell you the story. Watch that man, Captain. He's a smooth customer.

Starting point is 03:00:37 Mugs, you understand? Yes, sir, said Mugs. He stepped aside with Verbeck as the officers carried the Black Star around the corner to a patrol wagon. The Black Star was wearing handcuffs. the police followed me back up in town mugs explained i couldn't get away by running so i tricked em i went to the union depot time for a bunch of trains to be due you see and a big crowd there i got a lead on em and whirled around the corner and stopped my car among a bunch of others got out and was standing on the walk looking innocent and picking my teeth when the cops rushed by They went on past the depot. Supposed I had gone that way.

Starting point is 03:01:30 Easy. Then I started up again to get back near the hall. Remember that dark space near the middle of the viaduct where so many hold-ups come off? Just as I got there, I saw Mr. Black Star sneaking along with a suitcase in one hand. Stopped the car and smashed him on the head with a wrench before he knew it. threw him in the car and covered him up. See? Easy. Verbeck's hand gripped that of mugs for an instant, and then he hurried to join Faustina and Howard.

Starting point is 03:02:08 "'We've got the Black Star, too,' was all he said. "'I'll have to run back to police headquarters after I go home with you and tell them all about it. And I'll explain the entire thing to both of you tomorrow morning. I suppose you'll kiss me now, Faustina, even if Howard is looking? You wouldn't, you know, when you suspected me of being the black star. Although she was driving the car, Faustina ran the risk of collision by taking her eyes off the street, long enough to do as Verbeck wished.

Starting point is 03:02:45 Then, satisfied, he settled back in the seat beside Howard. One thing, he said, I shall do. After this, I'll pay more attention to any hunch Mugs may get. Great little man, Mugs. End of Chapter 13. Recording by Roger Moline. Chapter 14 of the Black Star by Johnston McCully. This Librevox recording is in the public domain.

Starting point is 03:03:26 Recording by Roger Moline. chapter fourteen unexpected news it was exactly one o'clock in the morning when mr roger verbeck clasped in his arms miss faustina wendell dainty sweet and twenty-four and pressed upon her lips an ardent kiss it is time for little girls to be in bed he said after the kiss we'll talk it all over this evening there was another kiss and then roger verbeck followed howard wendell to the outer door turned up the collar of his ulster and hurried out into the blinding snowstorm to where mugs awaited him mugs sat behind the wheel of roger verbeck's powerful roadster his chin down in his coat collar and allowed the soft snow to pile against the side of his head meanwhile listening to the purring of the engine and living over again the events of the past two days. Muggs was a modest man, but even in his modesty, he was forced to admit that he had something to do with the fact

Starting point is 03:04:40 that the Black Star now was in the hands of the police. Dreaming, eh? Verbeck demanded, stopping beside the roadster. Excuse me, boss. I didn't think you'd be out so soon. We've got to hustle down to police headquarters. remember that mugs we must tell the chief and his boys what happened all they know is that they have made some arrests on our information drive slowly mugs started the roadster and drove on he stopped the machine in the blinding snow at a corner and squawked the horn reasonably sure at last that he could cross without maiming half a dozen pedestrians for life he sent the machine in the blinding a snow at a corner and squawked the horn reasonably sure at last that he could cross without maiming half a dozen pedestrians for life he sent

Starting point is 03:05:28 the roadster down a side street and stopped it before police headquarters get out and come in mugs verbeck directed you're in on this i hope we can keep away from the newspaper boys or we'll both have our pictures in the papers come along they hurried across the walk threw open the front door of headquarters and entered and just inside the door they stopped confronted by a scene that was a commingling of confusion and hysteria half a dozen detectives were scattered along one wall looking as if they wished to be elsewhere three or four uniformed officers stood about nervously a captain sat behind his desk and chewed savagely at his mustache and up and down the center of the big room strode the chief of police waving his arms and bellowing accusations and charges of cowardice and incompetence babies fools the chief was shouting i'll have the shields off every one of you for this haven't the newspapers been laughing at us enough you'll drive me to drink i'll hand my resignation to the mayor in the morning i'll-how do you do mr verbeck how do you do chief here's the man who did it roger verbeck because you're you do because he got peaved at this black star he turns in and runs him down what you boobes are supposed to get paid for doing he takes chances he and his chauffeur or whatever he calls him and he gets his man keeps the police out of it and does it all by himself just to show you up scarcely for that reason chief roger put in

Starting point is 03:07:31 don't misunderstand me mr verbeck i'm not belittling what you've done i'm just showing these alleged sleuths that they are wanting in intelligence here's a plain citizen gets peaved and goes out and rounds up a big crook hands him over to you all done up in a bundle and handcuffed watches while you throw him in the wagon and then-the chief stopped a moment and gurgled in anger and then by heaven right at the door of headquarters you let him escape end of chapter fourteen recording by roger maline chapter fifteen of the black star by johnston mccully this librivox recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline chapter fifteen the challenge silence for a moment save for mugs's single gurgle of disgust and then what's that roger verbeck demanded stepping forward and facing the chief they let him escape i'm telling you how in the name of all that's human they could do it is more than i can guess don't ask me ask some of these boobs for months we've been crazy to get this black star we have him handcuffed and in the wagon and he escapes. He's been gone an hour or more. He's probably ransacked the mayor's house and blown up the vault of the First National Bank in that time, just to show his anger at being pinched.

Starting point is 03:09:26 Ah! The chief sputtered his wrath again. Out, he cried to his men. Out, every man of you. Some of you saw that, crook's face, though I doubt if you can tell me now whether he's got in one eye or two. Out, and get him! Don't come back until you do. Get out of here, and I'll break the man who dares to report no progress. Out, fools! Glad to escape their superior's wrath, the detective scattered,

Starting point is 03:10:01 and the uniformed men ascended the stairs to the room used by the reserves, there to discuss the latest event in lowered voices. for the chief's command did not apply to the harness bulls. The chief beckoned Verbeck and mugs to follow him into his private office. It's enough to drive a man insane, he exploded, reaching for his box of cigars and passing it around. How did it happen? Verbeck asked. Don't ask me. The wagon stopped before the jail door as usual.

Starting point is 03:10:37 We had the eight crows. and this black star. As they started to get out, two of the crooks bumped my men aside, two more tripped at the end of the wagon, the female crooks of the gang pretended to faint, and the black star made a dash for the alley. One of the fools took a shot at him and smashed a fourth-story window across the street. He made a clean getaway with the bracelets on him. Think of it, right here at headquarters. They thought he was knocked out.

Starting point is 03:11:13 Probably he was shamming, Verbeck observed in an emotionless voice. You'd think anybody'd watch out for that, but not these fine detectives of mine, and every newspaper in town knows we had our hands on the black star and let them go. They've been pestering the life out of me.

Starting point is 03:11:35 and i tipped off the capture as soon as my men telephoned from the charity ball where you handed the crook over thinking the department would get a little credit and now they'll be worse on me than before i'll resign i'm done but i'll break some of em first your men are after him aren't they verbeck interrupted yes they're after him they've been after him for Four months, and a lot of good it has done. You tell me your story, Verbeck. There are some things I don't know. Speaking quickly, Verbeck did as he had been requested, telling the chief of his discovery of the Black Star and of how he had played Master Criminal for a day

Starting point is 03:12:24 in an effort to corral the band. He explained how the Black Star had an organization that gathered information for him and another that committed the crime. times. When he had finished, the chief chewed at his cigar and smote the desk with a palm. "'Great scheme!' he exclaimed. "'Got an organization that reaches into every corner, eh? No wonder we had a time trying to get a line on him.

Starting point is 03:12:55 "'Oh, he's a master crook, all right. Great, Scott. Maybe some of his men are right here in headquarters.' it is possible verbeck said well his perfect plans are spoiled now at any rate and half a dozen of my men have seen his face besides you and this man mugs of yours so i suppose he'll make a break and get away he'll be afraid to work here any more we'll send his eight crooks over the road but not the black star huh that'll be one day that'll be one day to work here any more we'll send his eight crooks over the road but not the black star huh that'll be one nice stain in my department but thank heaven his work is done in this town suddenly the chief sat forward and regarded verbeck gravely see here he exclaimed there may be considerable danger for you even if the black star beats it and his plans are smashed and his organization scattered some of his friends may take it out on you for you for you for you for the black star beats it and his plans are smashed and his organization scattered some of his friends may take it out on you for getting hands on him and spoiling their game you may be a marked man better let me send a couple of good men up to that bachelor apartment of yours and you'd better stay close around home for a few days until we know how things are going to be pardon me said verbeck but from what you have told me to-night i scarcely think a couple of your men

Starting point is 03:14:28 would be of much value. I'd rather rely on myself and mugs. Rubbing it in, eh? I don't blame you. But you can have the men if you want them. No, thanks, Chief. I'll go along home now and get some sleep. Here's hoping you catch your man. He didn't have much of a start, and he had handcuffs on his wrists. But he's a slippery customer. My man can testify to that. He slipped away from him once and left a bump on his head when he did it. Better let me send up those men, Mr. Verbeck, even if they are pretty much worthless. We don't want to have you found knifed in bed some morning. I'm not afraid of any of the gang, chief, and the Black Star can't organize again and issue orders until he has a new

Starting point is 03:15:25 headquarters. And remember, I've talked to the Black Star. He isn't the sort of man who kills. No? No. He's the sort that takes a pride in being a master criminal who uses brains instead of violence. In pulling jobs no other man would approach, and in doing them in a neat manner. Did he ever leave a must-up safe behind? he generally unlocks him takes what he wants puts one of his blamed black stars in him and locks him again cuss him there you have his character chief good-night verbeck and mugs made their exit indignified and proper manner and they did not speak until they were in the roadster and a block from police headquarters on their way home then mugs broke the silence in characteristic fashion what do you know about that he exclaimed in great disgust the black star is a clever man mugs

Starting point is 03:16:36 his pals helped that get away certainly thinking that with the black star at liberty the organization will come to their rescue in some manner i noticed you swallowed that bunk the chief-hand it out about this black star making a break for other parts, now that he has been seen by a few cops. You think I swallowed it, Mugs? I was hoping you didn't. Well, I didn't, Mugs. I boasted I could capture the black star, and he's just the sort of man to try to show me I cannot.

Starting point is 03:17:16 I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he remained in the city for the purpose of making a laughing-stock of me. That's the way I'm looking at it, boss. I fancy we'll hear from him in a few days, Mugs. They put the roadster in the garage at the rear of the Bachelor apartment house, and then ascended to Verbeck's apartment. Mugs snapped on the lights in the library, while Verbeck threw off hat and overcoat and gloves, and reached for his favorite pipe. He glanced at the clock on the desk. It was within a few minutes of four in the morning. He gave an exclamation, took a quick step forward, and looked at the face of the clock again. On the glass, directly over the figure I-X, had been pasted a tiny black star.

Starting point is 03:18:14 That wasn't there when I dressed last evening, Verbeck mused. So he's been here since he has been here since he has. escaped the police, huh? That is pretty swift work. Mugs hurried in from the bedroom. Boss, look, he cried. This was pinned on your pillow. He extended an envelope. A black star was pasted on it. The letter was addressed to Roger Verbeck. Swift work, Roger exclaimed again. boss my hunch is workin yet telephone the chief to send up them men let him send twenty of em one moment mugs your solicitude for my welfare is overwhelming but suppose we read this entertaining epistle before making a move perhaps i'll want to fight this out alone he ripped the envelope open took out a sheet of paper unfolded it and read mr roger verbeck you almost had me but at the supreme moment i escaped

Starting point is 03:19:30 you have seen me so have police officers and aid of my band who never saw me before you have discovered some things concerning me but what you have found out is as nothing when compared to what you do not know this little incident has served to put an edge on my wit you boasted you could catch me do it and the next time hang on to me until i am behind the bars and even then i'll triumph i laugh at you and your efforts as i laugh at the police i am not going to run away i'll even keep you informed of my movements and then you cannot get me and for the trouble you and your man have caused me i am going to get you roger verbeck and get you good i do not contemplate violence on your person that would be the resort of an ordinary thug but i'll hurt you roger verbeck in a thousand ways break you down ruin you make you a joke until you'll curse the day you first heard of the black star it's a fight to a finish between us every place you turn you'll be reminded of me and my purpose sleep well to-night and in security for you'll need the rest the moment you awake the fight is on and i'll know when you awake i'll know every move you make and i'll almost know every thought in your head you poor fool took the most of that epistle as a matter of course but his eyes narrowed to two tiny slits when he read that poor fool and his lips set in a straight line

Starting point is 03:21:27 that poor fool stung roger verbeck almost as much as the unpardonable phrase would have stung him he handed the black star's letter to the waiting mugs we've fought some pretty good battles mugs but nothing to what this is going to be he said on your toes mugs forget that hunch of yours we don't quit until i stand in court and hear a judge sentence the black star for his crimes until i watch him pass in through the doors of a state prison think what he's done mugs of the decent persons he's forced into his gang this is going to be the hardest fight of our lives my coats off boss and my sleeves rolled up good we'll fight alone if we can there is no one we can trust police officers persons we meet every day our acquaintances even our friends may be in this organization and he'll soon get it working again but we can trust each other mugs you said something there boss you bet we can end of chapter fifteen recording by roger maline chapter sixteen of the black star by johnston mcculley this librovoc's recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline chapter sixteen a nocturnal visit verbeck opened his eyes at eleven o'clock that morning after a dreamless refreshing sleep to find mugs standing at the foot of his bed fully dressed grinning the morning newspapers in his hands

Starting point is 03:23:34 they've got it all boss he reported that black star sent letters to the papers last night by special messengers and from a downtown hotel what do you think of his nerve here it is story of the whole thing giving us a lot of credit and making fun of the police for letting the crook escape i'll bet that fat chief has a fit when he reads this probably he read it several hours ago and already has had his fit verbeck said had breakfast yes you're the original early bird mugs well i'm famished verbec bathed and dressed in record time and hurried to the caf in the basement eager to eat and be gone before the regular luncheon crowd gathered to point him out and make remarks about his pursuit and capture of the black star no sooner had he seated himself at his favorite table than the waiter placed before his eyes an extra edition of one of the evening papers damp from the press roger spread it open to find his own portrait gazing at him from the front page and as he waited for his toast and eggs and coffee he read the black star had sent a letter to the evening paper also but through the mail with a special delivery stamp affixed again the master criminal scoffed at the police threatened some particularly daring crimes to demonstrate that he did not fear them and then paid his respects to roger verbeck a reproduction of the last paragraph of the black star's letter was shown in the paper

Starting point is 03:25:23 to all whom it may concern there is war between myself and roger verbeck who caused me considerable trouble the last few days i hereby warn all persons not to give aid to this enemy of mine to refuse him shelter food clothing refuse to hold conversation with him or have business dealings with him of any sort whatsoever against those who dare disobey this order i'll strike and strike hard roger smiled as he read that paragraph he presumed it was one of the black star's jokes for he had discovered that the master rogue had a sense of humor certainly it could be nothing else roger verbeck was the last of one of the city's old families a young man respected by all with unlimited wealth at his command possessing a myriad of acquaintances and legions of friends this warning of the black star was very liable to fall upon deaf ears still it was embarrassing and roger found himself frowning because of the unpleasant publicity that was one way the black star was a black star could fight him by making him ridiculous through the newspapers, for it was certain that the papers would print any letters the Black Star sent them. Roger caught a vision of future days of horror,

Starting point is 03:26:56 with everyone pointing him out, joking him, making his life miserable. On the streets, at any of his clubs, wherever he met his friends, his name would be coupled with that of the Black Star. There would be but one escape, and that by capturing the master crook, turning the laugh on him, and so ending the affair. Having breakfasted, Verbeck had mugs get out the roadster, and they drove to police headquarters. The snowstorm was at an end, and the day was warm for March. But they failed to find the spirit of spring prevalent when police headquarters was reached.

Starting point is 03:27:40 A sleepy chief paced the floor of his private office, chewing at his inevitable black cigar. Detectives, plain-clothesmen, and uniformed officers rushed in and out. Telephones rang. Don't ask me, the chief roared when he saw his visitors. I'll tell you, it'll take less time. We haven't got him. We haven't even discovered a trace of him. The handcuffs he wore were found in an alley, less than half a dozen blocks away, and that's all.

Starting point is 03:28:16 He's found time to send letters to the papers, and to me. He sent one to you? Roger asked. He did. If ever I get my two hands around the throat of that black star, I'll choke the life out of him. I wouldn't care if he got mad and sent me cuss words, but he called him. called me a blanked fool. Ah, we are fellow sufferers, Verbeck said. That's what he called me. You? You've heard from him?

Starting point is 03:28:52 When I got home this morning, his black stars were pasted around my apartment, and I found a letter pinned to my pillow, or rather Mugs did. Here it is. Verbeck handed it over. The chief read it. then the head of the city's police department sat down before his desk thought for a moment and finally pushed a button a sergeant entered send me detective riley he ordered a moment's waiting while the chief chewed his cigar and roger and mugs puffed at theirs then riley entered and saluted his chief respectfully detective riley was a man of fifty and he had been in the department since the age of twenty-one he knew every inch of the city and was a man of nerve and resource but for his honest and outspoken opinion of political leaders undoubtedly he would have been high in the department as it was he was satisfied i believe you know mr verbeck riley the chief said

Starting point is 03:30:04 i certainly do sir the detective answered grinning at roger his father got me my job on the force and i taught roger how to hold a bat when he played ball on the corner lot near the old verbeck place eh you know this town pretty well too and you're an honest man sit down and listen you're going on the trail of this black star riley and if you're in at the death when he's a man you're in at the death when he's a man nabbed, I'll see you made a captain, if I have to go into politics myself and slay half a dozen ward bosses who don't like your looks. Some special line of work, sir? I'm already assigned to the case. So is every other man in the department. Yes, this is a special line of work.

Starting point is 03:30:57 You are to glue yourself to Mr. Roger Verbeck and hang on. Understand? but chief roger began just a moment mr verbeck i admire your courage and all that but we've got to do this in proper fashion you've been threatened by this black star he's going to take you partly into his confidence so he can make a fool of you i want riley with you for two reasons the first is that you are going to have police protection whether you wish it or not if riley is with you and mugs one man can be awake and on the job always yet all of you get plenty of rest the second is that riley can add his police experience and knowledge of crooks and the city to your natural courage and cleverness understand if this black star communicates with you or makes a move against you in any way riley will be there and on the job to help you'll not lose time sending to headquarters for assistance i understand chief another thing do you feel you can trust riley i certainly do said verbeck earnestly good enough it isn't every one we can trust in this game

Starting point is 03:32:27 you take riley with you and go after the black star independent of this department just as you did before except that you'll have a regular officer along and we'll work on our own lines and between us we'd ought to get our hands on him riley knows a certain private phone number he can use in case of emergency and a call will rush a score of men to any part of the city that's agreeable get out then and take riley with you i'm going to lie down on the couch and take a nap verbeck laughed and led the way from the private office waiting in the lobby with mugged while Riley went to his locker, for a certain paraphernalia he always had on his person when engaged on a particular case. I like that guy, Mugs confided in a whisper. The chief? Nah, this Riley! I'm glad he's going to be along. If I needed a recommendation for Riley, which, luckily I do not,

Starting point is 03:33:39 that would be the best I could get, Roger said, and he's, he meant every word of it. I think the three of us can make the black star look like a sucker. You don't want to underestimate the black star, Muggs. Whenever you feel inclined to do so, remember a certain smash behind the ear he gave you recently when you thought his hands were tied. He'll never do it again, Mugs declared. If I ever get my lamps on that man again, I'll forget how to turn my head. Riley returned, and the three went out to the roadster. The greater part of the afternoon was spent in Verbeck's apartment,

Starting point is 03:34:24 discussing plans for the campaign. There was no sense, Riley pointed out, in running blindly around town trying to find the man they wanted, for the black star, it was to be supposed, was in hiding for the time being, and without doubt planning a campaign of his own. Detectives were watching railroad stations, hotels, and lodging houses, and the deserted residence where the Black Star had had his headquarters.

Starting point is 03:34:56 There was nothing for the three men who sat in Verbeck's library to do, except wait for the master criminal to make the first move. Roger visited Faustina Wendell for an hour that evening, while Muggs and Riley remained outside in front of the house where she lived with her mother and brother. Then the three returned to Roger's apartment and spent an hour around the pool table. A crook works at night if he's breaking safes and vaults, Riley said. Hence it is proper that we are prepared for night work. I suggest we never retire until four or five o'clock in the morning and get up about noon.

Starting point is 03:35:39 then we'll be ready to jump if anything happens get a deck of cards mugs verbeck ordered what detective riley says goes by the way riley i've ordered the roadster left standing in front of the building all night ready for a quick jump that's the stuff i wish this black star would hurry up and start something i'm anxious to get into action tired of cards they played pool again and then they read and then they talked of the black star some more and finally they began wondering if it wasn't time to retire just four o'clock verbeck announced and then the telephone rang roger stepped across the room to the desk and picked up the instrument mugs and riley were on their feet eager to know what the message would be would be, and hoping it was a call to battle. "'Is this Mr. Verbeck's apartment?' a voice demanded. "'Yes,' Roger answered. "'And who is this speaking?'

Starting point is 03:36:52 "'This is Mr. Verbeck.' "'Indeed. I thought perhaps it was that Dolt, Detective Riley, from headquarters. "'I understand he is a more or less permanent guest of yours.' who is this roger demanded in turn pardon me for not telling you before this is the black star what's that roger exclaimed i assure you i am the black star this is not one of your friends playing a joke on you i just thought i'd call you up and say that the letter i sent the newspapers was meant i've already made a move against the manager of the apartment house where you live because he hasn't ousted you indeed roger asked beckoning riley and mugs toward him you think i am jesting i never jest about my work mr verbeck i imagine you'll have to find another home before night pardon me if i ring off now it is possible you are sending detective riley or mugs to another telephone to trace this call and that would be both unnecessary and embarrassing for me for i am speaking to you from the office of your own apartment house good-bye

Starting point is 03:38:20 Roger Verbeck dropped the telephone, spoke a dozen quick words, and was running out into the hall, closely followed by Riley and Mugs. Down three flights of stairs, four steps at a time, they rushed and into the lobby. Not a person was in sight. From outside came the roaring of an automobile engine. They ran to the door, hurled it open, and hurried out. tearing down the broad boulevard was roger verbeck's big roadster and the man who drove it turned an instant to wave one hand at them the nerve of mugs began detective riley emptied his automatic at the vanishing car and growled low in his throat because he knew he had missed the night clerk verbeck cried where was the clerk

Starting point is 03:39:18 they rushed back into the lobby they heard doors slamming on the floors above as tenants aroused by the turmoil and shooting started an investigation and they heard groans coming from behind the long desk verbeck vaulted the counter and cried out in surprise on the floor bound hand and foot and gagged was the night clerk of the bachelor apartment house in the middle of his forehead was pasted a tiny black star and pinned to his breast was a card that bore this information to the manager this is just a hint that roger verbeck must go if he does not my next demonstration will be more disastrous end of chapter sixteen recording by roger maline chapter seventeen of the black star by Johnston McCulley. This Librovoc's recording is in the public domain. Recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 17

Starting point is 03:40:36 Interrupted Conversation. Detective Riley grasped the nearest telephone and sent an alarm to headquarters. Less than an hour or later, the report came that Verbex Roadster had been found abandoned, on a corner, in the heart of the city, but that no trace 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.

Starting point is 03:41:14 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 a woman. obey, and believed at the time that he was the victim of an ordinary hold-up 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,

Starting point is 03:41:52 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 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,

Starting point is 03:42:22 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 beckened mugs and riley and led the way back to his apartment there they lighted fresh cigars and sat at the long table in the library mugs and riley silent and waiting for roger to speak well we've got to move he said after a time if we don't the others will for they'll be afraid the black star will demolish the place with a bomb perhaps it'll be best after all but where riley asked he'd bomb another hotel just as quick if that's his game i have a place of my own the old verbeck place riley you know it mugs knows it too for there we kept the black star prisoner for a day and night before we handed him over to the police i remember it riley said a big old house in the middle of a block of ground surrounded by trees and tangled underbrush i intend to have it torn down and a new residence erected in its place after i'm married we can go there with fuel and provisions and make ourselves comfortable there is a telephone so we can keep in touch with headquarters we'll be by ourselves and so need fear no spies of the black star

Starting point is 03:44:14 We can conduct our campaign from there. Great, the detective exclaimed. No fear of spies and nobody to bother us. We'll make at our headquarters. One of us can be on guard all the time. The Black Star will have to be very clever to get at us there. And if he does, he'll be injuring my own property, and he'll not be hurting some outsider who has no concern

Starting point is 03:44:44 in this affair. Let's get some sleep, then go ahead with our preparations. It was noon when a much-relieved apartment house manager saw them drive away in Verbeck's recovered roadster. The back of the car heaped high with provisions. Half an hour later, they had reached the old Verbeck place and unloaded the car. Mugs had built a roaring fire in the living-room fireplace, and they were making themselves comfortable. This thing of working in the dark gets on my nerves, Riley admitted. I'd rather catch sight of this black star committing a crime and have a chase, a sort of running fight, and either victory or defeat at its end.

Starting point is 03:45:32 But what can we do? Here we must sit, waiting for him to make a move. How do we know where he'll strike next? he may rob a bank rifle some lady's jewel case we can't tell we've got to wait until he does something and then take up the trail you had a hot trail before roger one of his men led you to him and you had a chance to get hands on him i fancy that in his egotism he'll announce where he'll strike next verbeck said he's done it before 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 mugs 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

Starting point is 03:46:49 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 will commit my greatest crime since coming to your fair city within four days i'll make a huge laughing-stock of roger verbeck his sudden change of residence will not save him from the punishment i intend administering to him within four days verbeck handed the letter to riley and faced the sergeant again no doubt the chief means well but i don't need so much police protection he said there are three of us he and all of us will not sleep at once. My orders, Mr. Verbeck. Telephone the chief, Riley suggested.

Starting point is 03:48:14 Verbeck hurried to the telephone and called headquarters and got the chief. I don't want this squad of men out here, Chief. The orders came direct from the mayor, Mr. Verbeck, and he'll not countermand them. That threat of the black stars is too. strong to be ignored. I didn't call you up before I sent the men out because I knew you'd object. Those men will not bother you. They'll surround the block and stay out of your way, and be relieved at stated intervals. They'll serve to keep the curious away, and they'll be there

Starting point is 03:48:53 to guard the house in case you three men rush out on a chase or anything like that. but verbeck began i insist mr verbeck we cannot afford to run chances if anything happened to you and we hadn't given you protection after receiving those threats we'd never hear the last of it you're a prominent young man remember just let the men stay you haven't heard anything have you not a thing verbeck replied and we can't make a move until we do 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 had 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 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 huh might as well call in your men it'll not do any good to tire them out

Starting point is 03:51:00 how what the chief stammered he was beginning to realize that the black star actually was on the line and speaking don't excite yourself chief and you mr verbeck if you relish protection better let the chief scatter a hundred men around your place even that number wouldn't save you how'd you get on this line where are you the chief shouted into the instrument not realizing he was talking foolishly possibly i've tapped the line right in police headquarters building who knows the black star taunted and you scarcely can expect me to tell you where i am why not find me go right on hoping i'll be brazen enough to tip off what i intend doing chief it does a person good to hope you you're a devil the chief exploded thanks for the compliment good-bye again the rattling sound and then they heard the black star's voice no more End of Chapter 17. Recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 18 of the Black Star by Johnston McCully.

Starting point is 03:52:32 This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 18. Mysteries. Verbeck turned and told Riley and Muggs, as well as the policeman, what had occurred over the telephone. That man ain't human, the sergeant offered. You bet he is human, and by that token we'll get him, Riley declared. He thinks he's playing a funny game, and he is, but there's an end to every game.

Starting point is 03:53:09 He sure is human, Muggs declared. T'was a human fist he smashed me with and back of the ear once. I know, but we'll get him. The fact of the matter is, said Riley, that we don't know whether it was the Black Star talking. If he's got a bunch of helpers, maybe one of them's at police headquarters, and just naturally tap the Chief's private telephone line. It was the Black Star, I know his voice, Burbeck said.

Starting point is 03:53:42 There is no doubt about it. He speaks in a peculiar, halting way that I'll defy anyone to imitate correctly. He turned to the sergeant. You may post your men, he said. I presume the chief's orders must be obeyed. After the sergeant and his men had gone, Verbeck closed the door and turned to face mugs in the detective. This waiting makes me nervous, he admitted.

Starting point is 03:54:13 I'd like to be doing something. But, as you said, Riley, we can do nothing except wait until the black star makes a move, and then attempt to get on his trail. If ever we do get on his trail, We'll get him, Mugs announced. So we may as well make ourselves comfortable. You cook a good dinner, Mugs. We've got all sorts of supplies. Riley, take another cigar and get that sour look off your face.

Starting point is 03:54:45 All we can do is wait. Mug's depart. for the kitchen and Riley stretched his length on a die van and blue clouds of smoke toward the ceiling. Verbeck walked to a window and observed that the police had been scattered around the block just inside the fence. In the kitchen pots and pans rattled and they heard mugs mumbling to himself because the fire would not blaze to suit him. Riley, after a time, arose and paced the floor like a hound that wanted to be on the assent and had been retained in kennels verbeck called up faustina wendell and held a conversation of some ten minutes during which his fiance expressed a thousand fears for his welfare and verbeck stated half a hundred times that she was not to worry his telephone conversation at an end he began pacing the floor also the monotony of waiting was tiresome we've got to start a checker tournament or something lively like that riley declared or we'll go insane

Starting point is 03:55:57 some time during the next four days huh ain't that what the black star said in his letter i wish he'd make it to-night and i'll bet that the devil just to be ornery, will wait until the last hour of the four days. Where do you suppose he'll strike? That's a hard question to answer, Verbeck replied. He's liable to do almost anything that means profit. You want to remember that he had an organization that was collecting information for him, as I discovered. He knows more than we think.

Starting point is 03:56:35 He has combinations of safes, knows the person, habits of people knows oh everything that a crook would want to know if he pulled off a job the information i found tabulated at his headquarters was all concerning jewels to be worn at the charity ball but heaven alone knows besides himself what he had gathered in the way of facts before that but he said he'd commit the greatest crime since he'd got to town riley went on what could that be He's turned some pretty good tricks you'll remember. He might get into the vault of the first national, Verbeck offered. No chance. That's the finest... Pardon me, Riley. Fine vaults and burglar-proof affairs do not seem to bother the Black Star.

Starting point is 03:57:29 You remember how he robbed the safety deposit box of the National Trust, don't you? Well, what would be something big he could do? the detective asked he goes after money but jewels are his particular delight if i have judged the man correctly verbeck said he has some perfect arrangement for disposing of them at a profit i suppose and there are half a hundred places he could make a rich haul of jewels he's what might be called a jewel fiend riley he-ah he ah what's the matter riley asked looking up quickly and stopping his pacing i have an idea if it's anything that will help us catch the black star or bring him out of his hole so we can chase him for heaven's sake let us have it riley cried it is something that may bring him out of his hole a trap why didn't i think of it before and it can be arranged easily let's have it then as you know i am to be married soon my gift to my bride will be the same my father gave my mother the famous verbeck diamond necklace that necklace is in a certain safe deposit vault now and i'll not even tell you where it is.

Starting point is 03:58:59 But where's the trap, Roger? A moment, Riley, don't be so impatient. That necklace is the same as the day my father clasped it on his bride's throat. That was a good many years ago, and fashions in jewel settings change. So, naturally, before I present it to my bride, I'll have to have the stones reset. sure the stones alone are worth a quarter of a million dollars enough to tempt any jewel thief and especially a jewel fiend since some of the stones have histories now suppose it gets noised abroad that i am having the necklace reset for my fiancee the newspapers will say print the history of the necklace and tell of my intentions it is announced that the jewelry firm of so-and-so is to do the work, and that the necklace has been taken from the safe deposit

Starting point is 04:00:02 and is now in the vault of that firm. I begin to get you, Roger. I thought you would. If you were the black star and read that in the papers, what would you do? If you were the black star and held enmity for me, and wanted to turn a big trick to show your contempt for the police, what would you do? too ha i'd pinch that necklace thereby getting a quarter of a million in stones and some other truck as well and at the same time get square with mr roger verbeck exactly riley even the black star would fall for that trap if he could get those stones he'd not only have a handsome profit he'd make a laughing-stock of me what he had a laughing-stock of me what he had he had a sworn to do see and you'd be taken a mighty big chance to do it ah as it happens there is a paste duplicate of the necklace that will be sent to the firm of so-and-so the real firm to be decided between us later

Starting point is 04:01:16 and there we can fix a trap have the place watched night and day be on the job ourselves either the black star will not have the courage to go after it, or he'll go after it and we'll catch him. And we'll get him when he has the paste jewels in his hands, and give him the laugh, along with a term in prison. Great, great, Riley exclaimed. But can you do it? I'll make the arrangements tomorrow. It'll be like throwing out bait to catch a big fish.

Starting point is 04:01:55 A sucker! Riley gurgled. If he doesn't make some sort of move tonight, we'll make the arrangements tomorrow. We'll bring him out of his hole, where we can get on his trail. Mr. Muggs walked slowly into the room from the kitchen, his face inscrutable.

Starting point is 04:02:17 Boss, you bought that bread at the delicatessen, didn't you? He asked. Yes, Mugs. Just picked a loaf off the, counter and had it wrapped up why yes didn't notice anything unusual about it no what do you mean mugs isn't the bread good and we got right into the car with it and came here and put it with the other stuff on the table in the kitchen yes yes what's the trouble did you notice the top of the loaf carefully when you picked it up yes confound you what and the old dutchman wrapped it up right under your eyes didn't he and we brought it here as i said and i unwrapped it and put it on the table when i unwrapped the other things i looked at it when i did that i know i looked at the top of it and there wasn't anything the matter with it then

Starting point is 04:03:22 and that was less than two hours ago wasn't it mugs if you don't tell us verbeck began oh i'll tell you all right boss on the top of that loaf now right down the middle of the top is a row of little black stars what verbeck and riley cried in a breath they rushed into the kitchen mugs pointed at the bread dramatic as he had said there was a row of the little black stars down the middle of the top of the loaf this beats the deuce riley exclaimed how did they get there i'll swear they were not there when that loaf was wrapped verbeck said and i'll swear they wasn't there when i unwrapped it mugs declared and now they are there so they must must have been put there while we were talking in the living room great scott riley cried do you mean to say the black star or one of his men has been here and did that no little bird did it mugs exclaimed stand back riley said here is where experience takes the lead i'll just look into this he investigated the kitchen first. None of the windows had been unfastened since they had come to the house, and dust on the sills showed that nobody had touched them. The back door had not been unlocked, for there

Starting point is 04:05:05 was an abundance of fuel in the kitchen, and mugs had not been obliged to go out for water. Riley opened the door, however, and his eyes met a drift of snow unmarred by footprints. Nobody had entered there. there was but one other door and that opened into a pass pantry which in turn opened into the dining-room riley went into the dining-room which had not been touched since they had decided to eat in the living-room and found no traces of an intruder there even the dust on the floor had not been disturbed there were no traces in the pass pantry and it would have been impossible of course for any one to have entered through the living-room since they had been in it constantly since reaching the house and would have seen any unwelcome visitor huh riley said and looked at mugs suspiciously boss he thinks i done it mugs exclaimed nonsense verbeck replied i don't think you're a member of the black star's gang if that's what you mean riley stated but i do think it wouldn't be a bit past you to try out a little joke

Starting point is 04:06:27 i didn't boss i swear i didn't i believe you verbeck said then it's mighty puzzling riley declared rows of black stars don't go sticking themselves to bread of their own accord he stepped back and looked at the interior of the kitchen again no one had entered or left by the rear door or any of the windows that much was certain no one could have entered from the living room through the pass pantry then the table stood beside the range over the range was a big hood that opened into a wide chimney riley went forward and peered into the hood struck a match and held it beside his head and peered into the chimney's wide mouth there was some dust and soot sprinkled over the back of the range but riley could not be able to the side his head and peered into the chimney's wide mouth there was some dust and soot sprinkled over the back of the range but riley could not tell whether it had been sprinkled there recently because the house had been uninhabited for so long that dust and soot and cobwebs were everywhere where does that chimney go he asked it's one of those old-fashioned wide chimneys that run straight up through a house with stove-hole openings in every room verbeck answered answered. "'We'll just take a look upstairs. You can remain here, Mugs, and keep your eyes open.' Riley led the way up the broad stairs, and he had his automatic clutched in his hand.

Starting point is 04:08:08 Dust everywhere was dust. They searched all the rooms of the second floor, though long search was not needed, for the deep dust on the floors showed no trace of footprints. anything above riley asked garrett two rooms half finished verbeck announced they made their way up the narrow stairs and raised the trap door the two half-finished rooms were deep with dust also and cobwebs hung in clusters before stove holes false alarm i reckon riley said but it beats me you don't suppose mugs i do not said verbeck i know mugs well he'd not try a trick like that ha something mighty funny about this whoever put those stars on the bread didn't enter by kitchen door or window and didn't go down the chimney from one of these upper floors those stars must have been put there by the delicatessen man when you had been put there by the delicatessen man when you you bought the bread. Muggs just didn't notice them when he unwrapped the loaf, that's all. It's the only way they could have got there. They started back down the narrow stairs. As they reached the second floor, they heard Muggs' voice, coming to them weakly, as if from a

Starting point is 04:09:41 great distance and with a note of pain in it. Boss, boss! Four steps at a time, Verbeck took that last first. flight, with Riley two jumps behind him. They rushed through the living room and into the kitchen. They saw Mugs reeling toward them from the door, staggering toward the table, trying to hold one hand to his head. Mugs! Mugs! What is it? Verbeck cried, grasping him by the arm. You're hurt, man! Your head's bloody. You... look his forehead riley cried on mugs's forehead was a tiny black star end of chapter eighteen recording by roger maline chapter nineteen of the black star by johnston mcculley

Starting point is 04:10:48 this librivox recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline chapter nineteen suspicion mugs apparently was making an effort to speak but could not collect his wits blood was flowing from a wound on the back of his head he staggered again and would have fallen had not verbeck helped him to a chair riley preferring effective methods to kindness grasped a pail of water and dashed the contents of the pail in mugs's face what happened the detective demanded mugs sputtered and spat and sat more erect i'm all right now he gasped tell us i-i looked around after you went upstairs then bent over the stove to arrange the pots something smashed me on the head that's all i know i think somebody grabbed me by the coat collar as i started to fall i woke up and found myself on the floor and tried to call the boss that's all demanded riley yes detective riley took charge in this emergency without as much as mentioning the matter to roger verbeck he ran to the rear door and jerked it open observed that the snow was still innocent of footprints then put a police whistle to his lips and blew a vigorous blast the sergeant came running one of the men with him bring your men in closer and watch all sides of the house riley commanded watch the roof too particularly the mouth of the chimney

Starting point is 04:12:42 the sergeant turned away shouting his orders riley slammed the door shut and whirled toward the stove into the other room roger and watch the stairs and have your automatic ready he said in the chimney is the only place a man could be to pull off these stunts and if he's in the chimney he's going to be smoked out he grasped the paper that had been around the provisions and threw it into the stove he opened the draughts and reached for more paper the stove roared smoke and flame sprang up into the chimney and threw the big hood watch her mugs more paper when she needs it and hold your gun ready man. You're all right, Riley cried. I'll watch her. Riley sprang into the other room. Come, he commanded Verbeck and ran up the stairs again. Once more they looked into all the rooms on the second floor and knew that nobody had been in any of them. Once more they ascended to the Garrett and looked into the two half-finished rooms there and found nothing. Not enough. Not Not a track was in the deep dust, not a cobweb had been brushed from a wall.

Starting point is 04:14:03 "'What's that door over there?' Riley asked, pointing across one of the rooms. "'Small closet, never used, except to store toys in when I was a kid,' Verbeck answered. "'We'll just—no use, though. Look at those cobwebs on the doorknob. Nobody in there. This beats me.' let's go down again they retreated down the stairs and went out on the veranda no one had come from the house the sergeant said smoke and even flame was pouring from the top of the chimney all right sergeant return your men to their posts but keep a close watch riley said no there isn't anything much wrong the sergeant knew there was But he knew also that Riley did not talk when he preferred to remain silent. He sent the men back to their posts,

Starting point is 04:15:05 and Riley and Verbeck re-entered the house and closed the door. In the kitchen, Muggs was still putting paper into the stove, and Riley ordered him to stop. If he was in that chimney, he's a dead man, the detective said. And if he was a dead man, he'd fall and smash that hood to bits. so he isn't in the chimney and wasn't and he isn't upstairs in any room and he didn't enter from outside we've been dreaming not much we haven't mugs exclaimed look at this bump on my head then please explain it riley roared explain those stars on the bread and the one between your eyes i suppose this black star has spirits to help him or something like that give me an answer the black star verbeck observed is a smooth article he is he is riley

Starting point is 04:16:10 admitted when he can smash a man in the head without coming into the house to do it ha the basement there was a door opening into the basement from the kitchen and it was locked moreover an investigation showed that the bolt had not been shot for some time for dust and cobwebs were on that bolt and on the door around it nevertheless riley opened the door drew out his pocket flasked lamp and descended into the basement with verbeck at his heels the basement was large but nothing was stored in it now except a small quantity of fuel it did not take riley and verbeck long to decide no intruder had been in the basement looks mighty funny to me riley declared if that mugs man of yours is playing tricks would he smash himself on the head verbeck demanded something of anger in his voice such things have been done before a little rap would start the blood and he might have shammed a great deal of that staggering around business you don't suppose this black star has got hold of mugs corrupted him or got the hooks into him i do not verbeck replied emphatically i'd stake my life on mugs he's loyal if the black star tried anything like that mugs would tell me at once then how did it happen answer me that it stands no reason doesn't it that nobody has been in this house except the three of us it looks that way but ah you go right ahead thinking what you like roger as for me boy i'm going to keep one eye on mr mugs

Starting point is 04:18:10 But... Don't be angry now. It's my business to be suspicious of people. I knew you when you were a baby, and I'm right with you in this scrap with the black star. You've lived with this Mug's man for some time, and you think he's loyal. Sure.

Starting point is 04:18:29 He's somewhat of a stranger to me, and I look at him from the outside, and don't see him with any rosy waves of glory around his head. No insult, man. I'll just keep an eye on him, and if he ain't guilty, it won't hurt him a bit." They went back to the kitchen. Mug's, now that the excitement was over, was going ahead with the preparations of the evening meal. Half an hour later he had it ready, and the three of them ate it in the living room,

Starting point is 04:19:02 while Mugs groaned now and then and held his hand to the back of his head often, apparently not noticing that Riley eyed him constantly. If I get my hands on that black star, I'll kill him, Muggs promised. That's the second time he smashed me on the head. Maybe the black star didn't do it, Riley said. Either him or one of his crooks. But we couldn't find a trace. I don't care, Muggs interrupted.

Starting point is 04:19:37 if we knew absolutely that there wasn't another human being within ten miles i know a man smashed me on the back of the head with a blackjack i've had it done often enough in my life and i know the feeling and as i fell he grabbed me by the shoulder and slapped that black star in my face don't tell me the meal at an end they discussed the trap roger had proposed to set for the black star perfecting details and deciding just how the scheme was to be worked it was planned that roger should go into the business district the following morning and arrange matters with the jewelry firm communicate to the newspapers the news that he intended having the famous diamond necklace reset and arrange with the chief to have the jewelry establishment crowded with officers day and night night, leaving Riley and Muggs on guard. He slept in the bedroom with his clothes arranged beside the bed on a chair so that he could don them quickly if an alarm came from headquarters that the Black Star had committed the great crime he had promised. He was to arise at five and let Riley and Mug sleep from five until ten. Then they would take up the watch again

Starting point is 04:21:03 and Roger would go into town about his business. At five o'clock, Mugs awoke him, announcing that he had cleaned the bathroom and arranged the bath. Anything happen, Verbeck asked. I've slept like a dead man. Quiet night, boss. Riley went out at midnight and prowled around the grounds a while and talked with the cops.

Starting point is 04:21:31 Nobody's been near the place, he said. i'll have some coffee ready by the time you're dressed and when you've had it riley can go to bed and so can you mugs not for some time i ain't you can bet i ain't gonna let you be alone in that room with both riley and me asleep look what happened to me in the kitchen when i was alone i'll call in the sergeant in charge of the squad mugs yes and maybe he's one of the black stars men for all you know nonsense well i'll let you stay up until seven how's that that's a little better boss verbeck dressed and had his coffee and detective riley retired to the bedroom mugs curled up on the die van verbeck paced the floor for a time and then threw open the door and when went out in the veranda for a breath of morning air. The squad of police had been changed, and the new sergeant in charge hurried toward Verbeck across the lawn.

Starting point is 04:22:43 I brought you the morning papers, Mr. Verbeck, he said, when I came on duty. Thought perhaps you'd like to have him. Thanks, Sergeant. Your name certainly is in all of them. Say, is it true what they say? And what do they say? That you are planning a trap for the Black Star, and he knew all about it?

Starting point is 04:23:09 What? Verbeck cried. He grasped the papers and opened the first that came to his hand. Great headlines told of the day's progress in the Black Star case. The attack on the hotel clerk was exploited at length, the removal of Verbeck and Muggs and Riley to the old Verbeck Place mentioned. The paper told how the place was surrounded at all hours by policemen and grilled the police department because the dragnet had caught nothing but small fish. The eight crooks arrested with the Black Star, and who really aided his escape,

Starting point is 04:23:48 had been bailed out. Bail of five thousand had been fixed in each case, and two famous criminal lawyers had appeared and put up $40,000 cash, refusing to say for whom they acted, merely declaring the crooks were their clients. So, they're loose, Roger thought. They'll be at work again, or else they'll all jump bail and so keep from betraying the Black Star's secrets. I imagine it'd be worth forty thousand to him to have his plan safeguarded. He read on.

Starting point is 04:24:26 At two o'clock that morning, just as the paper was going, to press, a messenger boy had appeared with a letter from the Black Star. The press had been stopped to get in this latest bit of news. The messenger declared he had been called to a prominent hotel and handed the letter by a distinguished-looking gentleman whose description did not tally with that of the Black Star. That letter read, Within three days,

Starting point is 04:24:57 Within three days I commit the greatest theft I have perpetrated since coming to the city. Within three days, I make a huge joke of Roger Verbeck, who dares match wits with me. I know all that goes on. I know everything. The police dragnet is most amusing. They never would dream of looking for me where I am hiding. I know, for instance, that yesterday afternoon, and again last evening, sitting in the living room, of his ancestral home, Roger Verbeck planned with Detective Riley and Mugs,

Starting point is 04:25:36 Verbeck's man of all work, to set a trap for me. Very clever, had I not learned of it. Let Roger Verbeck understand that he may advertise to his heart's content that he is having his famous diamond necklace reset at a prominent jewelers, and hope that I'll take the bait

Starting point is 04:25:57 and try to steal the jewels, while a crowd of police are waiting to make a capture. But his hopes will be in vain. I am planning something bigger than the theft of the Verbeck necklace. The shock will come soon. Within three days. Verbeck did not go back into the house just then. He thanked the sergeant for the papers again

Starting point is 04:26:24 and turned toward one end of the veranda to stand there and look off down the street, thinking. it was almost uncanny what this black star knew it was beyond belief that either the black star or one of his confederates had been in the house and overheard those conversations had they not searched the house from bottom to top the evening before how then had the knowledge reached the black star three men knew of that plan himself riley and mugs then either riley or mugs on the face of things must have conveyed the information to the black star i can't believe it i can't verbeck told himself he considered mugs first he believed in mugs's loyalty had received many manifestations of it mugs also had entered the first chase of the black star with zeal had in reality affected the crook's capture would he turn traitor now there was that affair of the evening before when mugs had received the blow on his head there was the affair of the stars on the bread search had revealed that nobody was in the house who had put the stars on the bread then and who had struck down mugs and stamped his forehead had riley been right was mugs a black star man

Starting point is 04:28:01 had he stamped that bread himself given himself a wound and pretended to be badly injured for a time just to carry out the orders of the master criminal then he considered detective riley he would as soon believe mugs guilty as riley his father had been riley's benefactor riley had known him since he was a baby had taught him how to play baseball how to swim yet in the last few years he had not seen much of riley and maybe he had been caught in the net of official graft maybe he was no longer honest save on the surface perhaps angered at last because he had not received the promotion he deserved he had turned crook and was trading on his reputation for honesty mugs had said riley had gone out and prowled around the house about midnight night. He had a chance, then, to communicate with some agent of the Black Star. That would give the black star just about time to write the letter to the paper and have it delivered, so that it would reach the newspaper office by two o'clock. Back and forth, back and forth across the veranda, Roger Verbeck paced, trying to fight down suspicions he did not believe worthy of him.

Starting point is 04:29:28 mugs disloyal he could not believe it riley turned crook he could not think of it yet there was the morning paper no one but riley and mugs had heard those plans they had been discussed at the table in the center of the living room with all the doors closed and they had been discussed in low tones as the three men bent over the table why it was doubtful if a man could have overheard had he even been in an adjoining room and listening and verbeck knew no man had been in an adjoining room i can't believe it he told himself again yet here it is and must be believed i'll say nothing i'll just let them read the papers and i'll watch if either riley or mugs has turned against me my faith in human nature is gone. Can't I have even one honest ally? Must I fight this master criminal alone? Mugs called to him from the doorway,

Starting point is 04:30:42 wanting to know whether Verbeck was not cold without his coat. He looked at Mugs. He saw the seamed and wrinkled countenance, the eyes that twinkled kindly, the dog-like look of devotion in the face. mugs who had fought for him scores of times who had been willing in some of their adventures to lay down his life for the man who had saved him from the sen no mugs could not be disloyal detective riley then end of chapter nineteen recording by roger maline chapter twenty of the black star by johnston mcculley this librivox recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline chapter twenty the voice on the wire

Starting point is 04:31:45 at seven o'clock verbeck ordered mugs to bed promising to call him with riley at ten o'clock he had kept the morning papers from mugs for he had decided to announce the failure of their contemplated trap when both men were facing him when snores from the adjoining room told him that mugs was in a heavy sleep verbeck decided to make a tour of the house by himself in an effort to solve the mysteries that had been puzzling him automatic held ready he crept softly up the stairs and examined every room on the second floor looking at every window and door but failing to find as much as a track in the dust he mounted to the garret once more and peered into the two half-finished rooms there then he returned to the first floor and sat down before the table in the living-room trying to think it out he asked himself again whether mugs had really put those black stars on the bread and had wounded himself in an effort to make verbeck believe he had been attacked what would be the motive verbeck shook his head because he could think of none and had riley betrayed their contemplated trap again he asked himself the motive and told himself there was none unless detective riley was a member of the black star's band and acting under the orders of the master criminal he paced the floor and occasionally went on the verandah fighting down the belief that either of the men had turned against him calling upon himself to have faith in them ten o'clock came and he awoke riley and mugs and prepared coffee while they dressed he put the coffee on the table with butter and rolls and scattered the newspapers around

Starting point is 04:33:47 then as the two men began eating he walked to the nearest window and stood looking out over the snow-covered lawn presently there was an exclamation behind him and he whirled around to find both mugs and riley staring at newspapers as if they could not believe their eyes verbeck decided that either they were genuinely surprised or were good actors yes he said before either of the others could speak the black star knows it will not be necessary for me to go into town and make arrangements with the jewelers and the chief but riley began and stopped and looked at the paper again yesterday afternoon i discussed the matter with riley verbeck went on we sat here at the table and talked in ordinary tones last evening the three of us discussed it sitting at the table and speaking softly i doubt whether a man had he even been in the bedroom adjoining could have understood us clearly yet the black star knows all about it he knew in time to have that letter reached the newspaper by two o'clock in the morning i for one am certain i did not communicate with the black star or any of his crooks. He turned his back upon them again and looked through the window. But, but, but, Riley stammered, why, nobody except the three of us knew anything about it.

Starting point is 04:35:31 Exactly, said Verbeck. Then how, you don't think I tipped it off in any way? Boss, cried Muggs, you don't suppose I... i am not thinking or supposing anything about it said verbeck we are confronted by facts well let's consider the matter squarely riley offered even if we take it for granted that either muggs or myself is a member of the black star's band when would either of us have had a chance to betray the plan you went outdoors and prowled around considerable about midnight mugs said said. You had a chance then. If it comes to that, my impetuous friend, you were alone in the kitchen yesterday afternoon, while Roger and I were discussing the matter. You were there when mysterious black stars got

Starting point is 04:36:33 stuck on a loaf of bread, and when there was an alleged mysterious assault on your own person, committed by somebody who could not have been in the house at the time. Riley showed some anger in his voice. you accusing me mugs demanded you accused me didn't you verbeck turned away from the window and walked to the table suppose we cease all accusations he said i cannot think either of you would do such a thing mugs has demonstrated his loyal to me scores of times you riley owed your start in life to my father and have known me since I was a toddling baby. I can't believe either of you guilty of this. And yet there are the facts.

Starting point is 04:37:27 Only we three knew, and the Black Star knew soon afterward. We'll just call this another little mystery added to those that have gone before. Eat your rolls and drink your coffee. We'll not discuss the matter further now. riley and mugs made pretense of eating as verbeck walked to the door and went out to the verandah again but for the most part they glared at each other across the table each suspicious of the other apparently the telephone rang and verbeck hurried in from the verandah to answer it it was the chief speaking everything all right out there he asked good said is that right what the papers say about you planning that trap about the necklace yes verbeck answered but how the deuce i don't know verbeck interrupted there evidently was a leak somewhere yet it seems impossible it's just one of those things that cannot be explained anything can be explained the chief declared but we'll have

Starting point is 04:38:44 to talk of that affair later. I've just had a telephone message from the editor of one of the evening papers. He received a letter from the Black Star through the morning mail. The black star says he is going to pull off that big crime of his within 24 hours. So get on your toes, you people. I suppose he means tonight. What plans have you made? Verbeck asked. of course we have no idea what he is going to do we're having special guards around the largest banks and trust companies all we can do is to wait for an alarm when we get it we can rush to the spot and take up the trail we'll keep in touch with you again there came that peculiar rattling noise they had heard once before while holding a telephone conversation both verbeck and the chief waited for the voice they knew they would hear hello it said this is the black star i'm too busy to talk long so please listen and do not swear over the wire chief i have been listening to your interesting conversation make all the preparations you like chief but they'll avail you nothing you'll be sufficiently startled before daybreak to-morrow morning

Starting point is 04:40:16 i will mention too that i am going to commit this crime myself without any aid whatever as for you mr roger verbeck you will be the laughing-stock of the city to-morrow so prepare to be ridiculed indeed roger said another thing mr verbeck i know every word you have said to detective riley and mugs this morning you wrong them mr verbeck with your suspicions i was but waiting for some one to call you up so i could break in and tell you so you see if i called myself you might be able to trace the call neither of the men mr verbeck sent me information regarding the clever trap you proposed i just simply knew i know everything good-bye again the rattling sound and then roger verbeck heard nothing over the wire except the explosive profanity of the chief of police who finally gave the information that he would call again later and rang off verbeck turned from the instrument with a beaming face and hurried forward to clasp riley and mugs by their hands i was a fool to doubt either of you a second he said the black star has just proved to me that it wasn't necessary for either of you to turn traitor was that crook on the wire again mugs demanded he certainly was broke in while i was speaking to the chief he told me he knew what i had been saying to you here a very few minutes ago and that i was unjust in my suspicions if either of us were guilty he might say that just to help us out

Starting point is 04:42:14 to make you think we were all right so we could go on doing his dirty work riley warned but the fact that he knew our conversation of a few minutes ago shows he might have heard us speaking yesterday about the talk trap. I am quite sure neither of you have had a chance to communicate with him in the past half-hour. Riley rose ponderously from the table and crashed a fist down on it. Then tell me, he said, how this crook knows what we say here in this room. I wish I knew. We've searched this house from bottom to top, and he isn't in it. to hear what we said he'd either have to be in the basement under us or in an adjoining room and then he couldn't hear half of it this thing gets my goat then there is something that'll please you riley the black star has sent another letter to the paper so the chief told me saying he's going to commit this big crime of his within the next twenty-four hours i suppose he means during the night some time.

Starting point is 04:43:31 Then we'll get on his trail, Riley shouted. We won't have to work in the dark anymore. At least we'll know where to start. He's got to come out of hiding to commit a crime, and we can trail him from where he pulls it off. Yes, and where will that be? Mugs asked. Wherever it is, we'll have something to start on.

Starting point is 04:43:58 I just want to start. that's all that crook's going too far with his mysterious black stars and his telephone stunts and mind-reading performances he'll make a slip never a crook lived that didn't make a slip some time i'd like to know how those stars got on that loaf and how i got tapped on the head mugs announced that black star must be able to make himself invisible riley snorted he's a human man and that's all there is to it a clever human man the detective declared and we're clever human men we'll get em and he'll be visible enough when we do there never was a mystery that didn't have a common everyday solution if a man's wise enough to know how to look at things twenty-four hours eh some time to-night we'll be crazy before he pulls off his trick crazy from waiting you're sure that roadster is loaded with gas verbeck i'm sure riley every officer in town knows that roadster and the chief has issued orders that we are to be allowed to smash all speed limits if we see fit then all we can do is wait wait for the alarm it may come in ten minutes and it may come at two o'clock to-morrow morning and waitin is the worst thing i do the day passed every hour seeming an age

Starting point is 04:45:44 mugs cooked the evening meal with head cocked for the sound of the telephone bell riley paced the floor looking at his automatic and handcuffs every half hour verbeck smoked innumerable cigars and betrayed nervousness in innumerable ways nine o'clock came and passed ten eleven midnight struck the telephone rang verbeck reached the instrument in two bounds and mugs and riley were close behind him ready for a dash mugs with his hand on the door-knob hello verbeck cried hello hello mr verbeck it was a woman's voice one that verbeck never had heard before an excited woman's voice this is mr verbeck listen i may not have a chance to repeat do you want to locate the black star before he commits his crime do you want to learn why he has heard everything you've said there Who is this? Verbeck tried to control his voice and speak in a matter-of-fact way. Never mind my name. I have a reason for what I am now doing. You must act quickly. Take all the help you can get. You have police there. Take them all.

Starting point is 04:47:20 Yes, but what... Listen, please. I will not have a chance to telephone again. again look around your living room look at the center leg of your table and then follow the wire all the help you can get act quickly and follow the wire and the unknown woman rang off verbeck whirled to the others speaking rapidly starting back across the room toward the table with mugs and riley beside him he went down on his knees to investigate the center leg riley was the fortunate one an exclamation of disgust escaped him boobes boobes that's what we are a common everyday dictograph disc and we never thought of it look he pointed to the bit of metal end of chapter twenty recording by roger maline chapter twenty one of the black star by johnston mcculley this librovoc's recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline chapter twenty one the end of the wire follow the wire the unknown woman's words seemed to ring in verbeck's head we must decide instantly he said shall we follow the wire or remain here and await an alarm follow the wire riley advised that woman is one of the black stars gang that's turned against him she's tipped us off right and i'll bet on it it's only a few minutes after midnight it shouldn't take us long

Starting point is 04:49:24 dictograph huh no wonder he knew everything we said poor boobs do we go alone or take the police verbeck asked let's take em it won't hurt and may do a great deal of good we'll have the sergeant leave one man here to take any telephone message that comes riley ran to the door and blew his whistle verbeck and mugs already were at work before riley could instruct the sergeant that a man be detailed to remain at the house while the others followed verbeck and mugs had pulled the heavy table to one side to find the wire passing through a tiny hole in the floor and into the basement verbeck led the way below the wire was picked up easily running to an outside wall and through it on the outside it went up the side of the house beside a water-pipe thence to a tree near by follow the wire and be quick about it riley commanded the sergeant and his men the police knew only that this had something to do with the pursuit of the black star but the excitement of verbeck and his companions was infectious and they went at their work eagerly sensing that they went at their work eagerly sensing that that seconds were precious. Electric torches flashed as they surrounded the tree,

Starting point is 04:50:54 and one man prepared to climb. There it runs, Riley shouted. Flash your lights! See it? To the other tree! Thus they crossed the yard to a corner, going from tree to tree, flashing the lamps always on that slim, long-hanging wire. Who ever heard of a dictograph wire this long? Riley exclaimed.

Starting point is 04:51:21 Nobody but the black star would use it. No telling where it runs. And we haven't a great deal of time. Send back another man, Sergeant, to stand by the house and bring us news if there's a telephone call. Send one who can drive Verbex Roadster to us. A man was selected and sent, and the tracing of the wire went on.

Starting point is 04:51:45 They came to the corner, and there the wire sprang from my door. a tree to a telephone pole and across the street to another pole, then to an unimproved block of land where it ran from tree to tree as before. Led by Verbeck and Riley, with mugs at their heels, the police waded through snowdrifts, crashed through wet underbrush, rending the black night with the light of their torches. The wire twisted from tree to tree, never more than a few feet above the ground. Whoever laid that wire didn't waste any time, Riley said.

Starting point is 04:52:24 They lost it in a clump of brush, but found it again. Every man of them was wet to the waste now from breaking through the drifts of snow, but their enthusiasm was not dampened. We've been half an hour already, Muggs protested. How far does this thing run? No one took the first. trouble to answer him. They had crossed the unimproved block at last and reached another street. Once more the wire sprang to the crosspiece of a telephone pole and across the street to another.

Starting point is 04:53:01 Now it ran along the edge of a private park to a narrow alley, and there it followed the roof line of sheds. They began exercising some caution now, for there was no telling where the wire would end or when, and they did not care to stumble on the retreat of the black star unprepared for a clash mugs some paces ahead of the others strained eyes and ears to detect the presence of a foe mugs didn't feel sure they had done right in following the wire but he realized that the tip from the unknown woman was one that could not have been ignored at the end of the alley the wire ran in the direction of a cross street here it was suspended from the trees again but higher and there was difficulty in following it it took half an hour to reach the next corner and there the wire turned back toward verbeck's house tis a quarter after one riley said there's been no alarm from headquarters or we'd have had the man coming after us in the roadster but where the deuce does this wire run street a block around the corner went the wire from tree to tree now high in the air and now looped low to the alley again and down it in the black night here their torches flashing they followed it from shed to shed and finally came to where it ran down the side of a garage and so reached the ground mugs dug frantically with his hands until the snow had been thrown to one side

Starting point is 04:54:46 the wire ran beneath a board and half a dozen men scraped snow away until the board could be raised verbeck and riley working frantically and urging on the others the board ended at the edge of an iron manhole and riley with a muttered curse got up from his knees into the sewer he exclaimed into the sewer think of that it's a fake we've been done mugs declared tis no fake riley protested here's the wire and we was told to follow it wasn't we into the sewer off with that cover verbeck shouted stepping forward and taking command you've forgotten something riley this is the old sewer and has been used for two or three years as a conduit for gas pipes and and electric wires. There's no sewage in it. Riley's exclamation of relief showed that he had forgotten. Like madmen, they worked at the covering of the manhole, smashing the ice around it, tearing at it with their hands until they were raw and bleeding. Presently, they hurled it to one side. "'In we go,' Verbeck said. "'And let's try to make better time.'

Starting point is 04:56:14 easy there we go but we go prepared riley said i'll go first if you don't mind roger some of the black star's gentleman friends might be waiting in this old sewer with implements of destruction to greet us he flashed his torch and lowered himself a moment later they heard his call and one by one they slipped from the alley into the big boar in the earth the last man letting the man-hole covering fall into place. Straight ahead they went now, bending low, dodging elbows of big gas mains, on the alert for uninsulated electric wires. The cement walls were covered with frost. The air was like that of a refrigerator. They made a turning and went on, always following the little wire that had been looped along the joints of the gas main. And always they were on the alert, flashing their torches ahead, expecting to be greeted any instant by some show of hostility.

Starting point is 04:57:22 They knew the reputation of the black star, these men. Perhaps, after all, this was his trick. Perhaps they would find themselves prisoners underground, or face some new peril the master criminal had invented for their discomfiture another curve in the big bore with riley stopping them and creeping ahead to peer around the bend and be sure no danger waited they made their way along as swiftly as they could now their teeth chattering their hands numb with the cold and now the wire ran to the roof again along a smaller gas main and so to another manhole out again into the night, Riley grunted. What do you know about that? Well, let's get after it.

Starting point is 04:58:16 They got beneath the manhole covering and fought to get it free. It was heartbreaking work, for the covering had a weight of snow above it, and ice filled every crevice. But finally they felt it give, and after a time forced at a short distance to one side, the snow caving in upon them mugs crawled up and dug at the snow inch by inch they forced the manhole covering back and finally they emerged into the open air and closed the covering again they traced the wire to a tree at the end of the alley and from there to a telephone pole and across the street in the usual manner they spoke but seldom now they were almost exhausted more than one feared they had been hoaxed again they flashed their torches and followed the wire once more across the corner of an unimproved lot across another street and then

Starting point is 04:59:21 what riley cried do you see where we are back to verbeck's place that's what on the other side of the house he would have said more but verbeck's grasp on his arm stopped him into verbeck's heart had come a sudden fear and he didn't see the advisability of the sergeant and the police squad knowing everything what kind of a stunt is this the sergeant growled never mind riley counselled sternly aware of what the end might be we've been following this wire haven't we very well we had a reason for wanting to know where it ran and that's all the sergeant subsided but he guessed that it was not all they were in the yard of the verbeck place again now the wire running from tree to tree as before finally it sprang to the side of the house and down it to a window in a rear room there riley who was leading stopped that's all for the present sergeant he said go inside and get warm you and the men if there's been any telephone message come out and tell us the men needed no second invitation to hurry to the fire and they followed the sergeant rapidly around the corner of the house house toward the veranda, leaving Verbeck and Riley and Mugs alone beneath the window. Well, Riley said, follow it, Verbeck commanded. It must end somewhere, and we don't need the

Starting point is 05:01:09 squad with us when we find the end. That's the way I looked at it. Great Scott, what a chase. Through the snow and through the sewer. No message. The sergeant shouted from the veranda. Mugs raised the window. They crept over the sill into the dusty room. Again Riley's torch flashed, and they saw the wire running up the side of the window to the ceiling and through it.

Starting point is 05:01:41 To the floor above, Verbeck said. They ran to the stairs and went up. As they passed the door of the living room, they saw the policeman standing before the big front. 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 wallpaper, and once more it penetrated a ceiling.

Starting point is 05:02:14 Into the garret, Riley said. They ran up the narrow stairs. Riley and Muggs both held their up their up. 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.

Starting point is 05:02:46 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 mugs 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 end of chapter twenty one recording by roger maline chapter twenty two of the black star by johnston mcculley This Librovoc's recording is in the public domain.

Starting point is 05:04:24 Recording by Roger Maline Chapter 22 On the scent He's done it! He said he'd make me a laughing-stock, 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

Starting point is 05:04:51 had been connected with the one in the living room, and the end of the dictograph wire. Fastened to the telephone were several sheets of paper. Verbeck tore them away, and while Mugs and Riley held their torches, he read in a low voice the Black Star's message. Mr. Roger Verbeck, I am assuming 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,

Starting point is 05:05:23 and possibly you have been put to some inconvenience but it was necessary i assure 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 laughing-stock, and I have.

Starting point is 05:06:16 Tonight I send letters to the papers telling them how I hid in your own house, listen 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 friend who took down my room my messages for the papers and the chief of police.

Starting point is 05:07:22 It has been great entertainment, I assure 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.

Starting point is 05:07:58 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.

Starting point is 05:08:32 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 was a i assure 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

Starting point is 05:09:30 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 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,

Starting point is 05:10:13 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 tonight. 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.

Starting point is 05:10:53 Mugs 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 mugs 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

Starting point is 05:12:20 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 and company 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 mugs 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 quick riley cried to the sergeant call headquarters private line tell them to surround block of national building black stars raiding jones and company you mugs start the car ready verbeck the sergeant whirled toward them phone's dead wires cut i suppose he reported of course trust the black star not to forget that get the nearest phone sergeant probably one across street he dashed out following verbeck they sprang into the roadster mugs sent the machine shooting at the big gate through it into the broad boulevard sounding his horn like a maniac jumping the powerful engine into its greatest speed end of chapter twenty two recording by roger maline chapter twenty three of the black star by johnston mcculley this librovoc's recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline chapter twenty three into the vault verbeck and mugs

Starting point is 05:14:30 had taken many wild rides in the big roadster, but nothing that compared to this. On the boulevard, the street cleaners had removed most of the snow, but the slush had frozen, and the going was treacherous. The car skidded from side to side, at times almost turned end for end, lurched and swayed sickeningly. Detective Riley gritted his teeth and clung to one end of the seat in which Verbeck crouched. Muggs bent forward, squinting his eyes and trying to get a clear view ahead. They turned corners and swept around curves at dangerous speed, sprang down hills as if the car was some wild thing running for life from a hereditary foe. It was half past two o'clock in the morning, and few vehicles were abroad, a fact for which Mugs gave

Starting point is 05:15:27 devout thanks. They reached the edge of the business district, yet he did not slacken the car's speed. Detective Riley had said no word since the start. Now he was the sleuth on the trail, the officer of the law ready to try conclusions with the criminal. Neither did Roger Verbeck speak, not even to shriek orders to mugs, for mugs did not need orders, and Verbeck was thinking of the humiliation in store for him unless the master criminal was caught. Mugs dodged an owl car by less than a foot and took a corner on two wheels.

Starting point is 05:16:09 Riley would have been dashed from the machine had not Verbeck flung an arm around him. Down another hill they raced, and into a cross street, where the heavy traffic of the day had obliterated the most of the slush and the going was safer. They were within a few blocks of their destination now. Verbeck and Riley were both wondering if the sergeant had been able to get to another telephone

Starting point is 05:16:35 and notify headquarters. The Black Star might have a chance of escape if the block was not surrounded. And they were not certain that he had not committed his theft and escaped already. He had had plenty of time while they were following the dictagraph. wire, especially since it was certain his plans had been made carefully. Would they arrive in time to find him at work? Or would they find the door of the vault open and a fortune and jewels gone? Riley bent over and screeched in Mug's ear,

Starting point is 05:17:12 Stop that horn! And stop the machine at the corner this way! Muggs nodded that he understood. He drove around another corner and swung, the roadster to a stop. Riley sprang to the walk, Verbeck and Mugs following closely. They hurried around the corner into the entrance of the big building. Automatics and electric torches were held ready now. There was no watchman in the entrance, and they started to creep up the stairs to the second floor, and there, at the top of the marble steps,

Starting point is 05:17:48 just in front of the heavy glass doors that opened into the establishment of Jones and Company, they found the watchman. He was stretched on the floor, bound and gagged, and with a black star in his forehead. Riley motioned for silence and relieved the watchman of gag and ropes.

Starting point is 05:18:10 He slipped up on me, the man whispered. He's inside now. Only one? just one man the watchman whispered he tapped me on the head and had me gagged before i knew what was happening then he bound me i'm sure there was only one man he unlocked the door with a key how long ago half an hour or more then he's gone out some other way riley whispered to the others he wouldn't stay in there that long what's the matter with headquarters i wonder i don't hear any siren here you watchman go down and tell the men when they come to surround the block and send a few in here we'll go on in the watchman tottered to the top of the stairs and started down riley drew verbeck and mugs close to him no lights until we're sure where we stand he instructed he may be ready to shoot if he's still in there and a light furnishes a swell target there'll be a faint light inside reflected from the stairs i know this place

Starting point is 05:19:34 this is the only entrance except a freight elevator at the rear there are windows of course that open into the court i'm afraid he's gone that way ready come on then and keep your eyes open inch by inch riley swung the glass door open so as not to make any sound inch by inch they crept inside and closed the door again here the aisles were covered with thick carpets. An uncertain light came through the door and made the interior of the gem store a massive shadows. Before them was the general retail sales room, with its rows of counters and showcases on either side, and its divans and chairs in the center. Slowly, carefully, holding weapons and torches ready, they crept from shadow to shadow, scarcely daring to breathe, fearing they would make a sound. They soon were convinced nobody was in the sales room.

Starting point is 05:20:42 They came to the partition in the rear and found the door partly open. Here they redoubled their caution. If the black star was present, he was somewhere behind that partition. Riley opened the door carefully, and they stepped inside. Here they found a dim light, too, coming. in from the street here were tables where diamonds were displayed to purchasing merchants sets of mirrors so an employee could see the entire interior at a glance and at the opposite end of the room the door to the great vault of jones and company the vault that held always a fortune in jewels and was supposed to be impregnable they crouched and looked verbeck drew in his breath sharply. The door of the vault stood open. In it, his back toward them, gloating over a handful of jewels,

Starting point is 05:21:44 was the Black Star. As they watched, they heard him chuckle softly, saw him throw up his head, and walk into the vault. End of Chapter 23. Recording by Roger Maline. johnston mcculley this libravox recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline chapter twenty four how it ended verbeck's whisper was so low that riley and mugs scarcely could hear it yet they could detect the note of exultation we've got em that was all and then they started to creep forward their eyes on the vault from which not a bit of light came. The black star evidently was working in the dark. Foot by foot they made their way noiselessly toward the open door, expecting every instant to see their quarry step forth and confront them, ready to prevent him fighting his way to liberty. They listened too for the sound of feet in the room behind them that would tell of the arrival

Starting point is 05:23:10 of the police, but the sound of feet did not come. and now at last they were within six feet of the open door staring into the blackness of the vault from which came not the slightest sound verbeck felt his heart pounding at his ribs like a trip-hammer as they waited the seconds passed then riley spoke in a low tense tone yet his voice seemed to roar through the place come out mr black star we've got you silence their answer come out why delay the game still no answer riley reached out and touched verbeck touched mugs a voiceless command for action they crept forward again verbeck to one side mugs on the other riley directly before the door now they were in the shadows, and between them and the door was but a faint streak of light that came through the windows from the street. A streak of light they would have to cross to reach the vault door. What would happen when they crossed that streak of light? Riley imagined he

Starting point is 05:24:28 knew. Verbeck felt sure that he knew. Muggs already imagined he heard the cracking of an automatic, grunts of pain, faced the whirlwind charge of a desist. cornered man fighting his way to freedom. Come out, Riley commanded again. Come, or we'll come in after you. Still, no answer. Riley crouched and held the torch high above his head in his left hand, ready to touch the button and send a shaft of light into the vault.

Starting point is 05:25:02 In his right hand he held the automatic, safety catch off, ready to fire on the instant. he touched the button. Light shot through the blackness and illuminated a pathway through the vault door and to the interior. From side to side, Riley swung his light, expecting every instant to hear the shot he anticipated.

Starting point is 05:25:26 There was no man in the light's path, but it did not penetrate to the corners. Riley expelled his breath in a great gasp of determination and slipped forward. Verbeck and Muggs closed in. If the black star was waiting for them to rush, then the moment for the rush had arrived. Mugs could endure the suspense no longer.

Starting point is 05:25:52 His nerves were on edge. He gave a subdued squeal and sprang across the path of light, grasped the door, hurled it shut, twisted the handle. We've got him, got him, he screeched. riley's light showed the perspiration standing out on his forehead and great globules why did you do that the detective demanded we've got em turn on the lights the police will be here in a minute then he'll have no chance to escape riley would have had it otherwise and roger verbeck had anticipated having the black star in shackles by the time the police arrived but that could not be helped now riley went around the room until he found the electric switch he threw it and the room was suddenly brilliant with light well we've got him anyway verbeck said

Starting point is 05:26:51 the black star may be able to get into a vault but i'll defy him to get out of that one except by the door yes and he'll be dead before he gets out that way if someone who can open that vault doesn't come soon where's a telephone he saw one in a corner and rushed toward it and gave the private number that you chief he asked this is riley have you sent men what's that just started great scott he did eh say chief have the desk sergeant telephone to the manager of jones and company to hurry down here we've got got the black star locked in the vault and have to get it unlocked. Yes, sure. He hung up the receiver and turned to the others. Man on the way, he said. The chief says he just got the telephone message.

Starting point is 05:27:56 Says the sergeant said he tried three phones near your place, and all of them had wires cut. Pretty smooth article, that black star, but we've got them. there they come now from the distance came the sound of a siren the clanging of a patrol wagon bell then the pounding feet on the marble stairs loud commands and men rushed into the establishment of jones and company we've got him riley exulted caught him at it locked him in the vault and now we'll stand around until the manager gets here and works the combination he played a smooth game all right ask mr verbeck about it but we got him i reckon he's mighty sorry now that he stayed in town to make a fool out of mr verbeck they waited crowding around the place talking excitedly in whispers debating whether the black star would put up a fight when the door was opened whether he'd commit suicide and cheat the law now that he was cornered then the chief came beaming dreaming of the vindication of his department the newspapers would have to grant he grasped verbeck by the hand warmly padded mugs on the back congratulated detective riley

Starting point is 05:29:24 i didn't tip off the reporters this time he said too late for him anyway they'll get it in the noon edition to-day though laugh at the police department will they not at the police department will they not at after this and then the manager of jones and company arrived a gentleman the personification of dignity generally but at present the personification of excitement and dread he stammered when he talked and threw up his hands in horror when he saw his establishment crowded with police and it took the chief some minutes to assure him that his property was safe and the would-be thief locked in the vault he advanced to the door and prepared to work the combination his nervousness caused him to make a mistake at first but finally he nodded that all that was necessary to open the door was to turn the handle the manager retreated then to hide behind a show case in fear of flying bullets might as well come out mr black star and take your medicine riley cried we've got twenty men here with three men here with three men here with three men guns pointing at that door. You make a hostile move when we open it, and you'll see your finish. He nodded to the police, twisted the handle, and threw the door open. Light flooded the interior of the vault. Half a dozen officers, Riley at their head, rushed. A cry of

Starting point is 05:30:59 consternation came from the detective. Verbeck and Mugs crowded through to look inside. On the floor of the vault were empty trays that had held jewels among them were empty chamois bags mountings of inferior value were scattered about but no master criminals stood before them ready for battle or in token of surrender gone mugs cried but he can't be gone riley shrieked we saw him step into the vault we came right up, never taking our eyes from the door. Mugs slammed the door and twisted the combination. There's no way in or out, except the door. Gone, Verbeck echoed. The chief of police swore. The manager of Jones and Company, who had left his place of safety, tore his hair and lamented his loss and berated the police. He, he can't be gone.

Starting point is 05:32:08 reiterated verbeck his heart sinking stepped inside and looked around fastened in the corner of one of the trays was what he had feared he would find a letter written by the black star and addressed to himself he read it swiftly then handed it to the chief and threw wide his hands in a gesture of momentary despair and this is what he had read mr verbeck and aides i am leaving this because i assume you'll find my other note at the house and follow me here i dare say that when you entered you saw me standing before the open door of the vault you watched and saw me enter the vault did you not you did not your eyes deceived you i intend waiting here until you arrive you i intend waiting here until you arrive to add one more small bit to my evening's entertainment illusion my dear mr verbeck all illusion the dim light coming in from the street you know help some you will notice that there are many mirrors scattered around the room i took the liberty of moving a few of them to serve my purpose go back to the door at which you entered and look at the vault have your silly mugs stand ten feet to the right of the door to the room now look at the vault mr verbeck and it will appear that the silly mugs is standing in the vault door you follow simple old-fashioned mirror illusion that won't even go at country fairs any more and you fell for that for when you entered the room i shall be standing within ten feet of you and you'll imagine you see me in the vault door and creep forward

Starting point is 05:34:10 i'll take two steps to the right and you'll think i have entered the vault you'll advance toward it and i'll step outside quietly to the window that opens on the court let myself down a rope already prepared and be on my way with this excellent collection of diamonds all thought out beforehand you see i have made you a laughing-stock as i promised but i am not done with you yet. I defy you again, Roger Verbeck, as I defy the police. You'll hear from me soon. They snapped out the lights and tried it. Mugs standing where the Black Star had said, and found it was so. They went to the court and found an open window from which a rope dangled to the ground floor below. Then they placed a guard and went out, leaving the manager to estimate and bemoan his loss. He's a devil, a devil, the chief was muttering.

Starting point is 05:35:19 He's human, and we'll get him yet, Roger Verbeck answered, and the fighting look was in his face when he spoke. End of Chapter 24. Recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 25 of the Black Star by Johnston McCulley. This Libervox recording is in the public domain. recording by Roger Maline Chapter 25

Starting point is 05:35:53 Shadowed by 3 Roger Verbeck's powerful four-seated roadster Its curtains up against the fine drizzle of rain and with mugs at the wheel drew up when the traffic policeman raised a warning hand and waited for the cross-town stream of vehicles and pedestrians to pass It was 8 o'clock in the evening

Starting point is 05:36:18 and the streets were thronged. Crowds were hurrying toward the theaters. More crowds were making for a big automobile show, and others were hastening towards a large hall, where there was to be a mass meeting at which infuriated speakers would demand that the police department of the city capture instantly the Black Star,

Starting point is 05:36:40 the notorious master criminal, who, with his band of clever crooks, had terrorized the city for half a year. verbeck's car was of foreign make and of peculiar appearance and it was natural that it should be recognized mugs bent over the wheel and gritted his teeth as he heard the expressions passed by pedestrians and the young man beside him looked straight ahead as if seeing nothing and hearing nothing when you're gonna get the black star what's black star paying you to hold off verbeck that crook's too much for you ain't he well well so he hasn't caught you again those were samples of the remarks being passed and they made mugs want to get from the roadster and fight his way into the midst of the mob mugs knew better than anyone else how verbeck since the memorial day when the Black Star had dared the young millionaire to capture him, had tried every means in his power to get hands on the Master Criminal.

Starting point is 05:37:49 The Black Star had written again to Roger Verbeck, saying that he and his man Mugs would be abducted by the Black Star's men, taken to the Master Crook's new headquarters, for which they had been searching in vain, and from there taken to the scene of a big crime. They would be forced to stand by under guard and watch the crime committed, and then they would be treated to shots from the vapor gun the Black Star and his men used, and left unconscious on the spot, laughingstocks for the public. That letter had been sent to the newspapers three weeks before, and as yet the Black Star had not abducted Roger Verbeck and Muggs. the criminal in another letter to the papers insisted that this was not because he had not had an opportunity to affect the abduction but because preparations had not been completed for the next big crime

Starting point is 05:38:48 so now as verbeck's roadster waited at the corner those who recognized the car and its occupants enjoyed a few moments of sarcastic abuse it was nothing to the general public that verbeck had spent time and money in an effort to capture the master criminal after the police had failed, that he had risked his life half a score of times, and once even had been accused of belonging to the Black Star's band himself. The unthinking public looked only at results, and there had been none. Mugs and Verbeck and the few thinkers in the city knew well that if the Black Star was caught, these thoughtless ones would be the first to praise Verbeck loudly, but in the meantime the sarcasm was highly unpleasant. After a time, the traffic cop turned and raised a hand,

Starting point is 05:39:44 and Mugs growled again, and threw in the clutch and piloted the heavy car across the street and down the Broad Avenue. They were out of the congested district within a few minutes, and speeding along a boulevard that led to a section of the city, where large and modern apartment houses were to be found. Half a block behind Verbex Roadster, a man trailed on a motorcycle, seemingly paying no attention to the car ahead,

Starting point is 05:40:14 but in reality keeping close watch on it. A short distance behind the motorcycle trailed a runabout with one man in it. The runabout was a small car, but a mechanician could have told after a second glance that it was a powerful one. The man in the runabout was watching both the motorcycle and Verbeck's car. A short distance behind the runabout was a lightweight truck. Behind the wheel of the truck was a young man who appeared eager to get home after an overtime delay in making deliveries.

Starting point is 05:40:53 He wore greasy overalls and jumper and a slouch hat pulled well down over his eyes. The collar of the jumper was turned up to keep out the drizzle. Thus the procession moved along the broad boulevard, and after a time Verbeck's roadster drew up at the curb in front of an imposing apartment house. Muggs remained behind the wheel, but the man he had been driving got out and hurried into the building. It was natural that he did so, for on the ground floor lived his fiancé. The threat of it was a abduction, it appeared, did not keep Roger Verbeck from paying his customary visits to his sweetheart. The man on the motorcycle pulled in at the curb on the opposite side of the street,

Starting point is 05:41:43 dismounted, and appeared to be tinkering with his machine. The runabout passed him, and its driver bent out and spoke a few words as it passed, the motorcyclist nodding in reply. Then the runabout went around the next corner where it stopped. stopped, its driver getting out and walking slowly back up the boulevard, like a belated laborer on his way home. The light truck did not pass Verbeck's car. It turned into an alley and pulled up behind a garage there. Its driver got out and walked quickly back to the mouth of the alley, and there he peered around the corner of a high fence and down the boulevard.

Starting point is 05:42:27 He noticed that the motorcyclist had left his machine and crossed the street and was approaching Verbeck's roadster. He saw the man who had been driving the runabout walking slowly from the other direction. The driver of the truck chuckled lightly to himself and remained at the mouth of the alley in the shadows, watching. End of Chapter 25. Recording by Roger Maline Chapter 26 of the Black Star by Johnston McCully This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Roger Maline

Starting point is 05:43:14 Chapter 26 A Man of Mystery Mugs, crouched down behind the wheel, watched the fine rain beat against the windshield of the roadster and hoped he would not have to remain in that position of inaction for long. he observed a man approaching along the sidewalk a man who glanced at the apartment houses as if seeking a certain one directly opposite the roadster this man stopped looked around for an instant and then hurried over to mugs nowhere the albemarle apartments might be he asked they might be almost any place but i've got an idea you'll find them in the middle of the next block mugs replied. It's a big white brick building.

Starting point is 05:44:09 Thanks, the other growled. He turned away, and as quickly turned back again. Reflection from the light on the corner flashed from something he held in his hand. A small cloud of vapor rushed at Muggs's face. Mugs gasped, and his head fell forward. instantly the other man sprang into the roadster lifted the unconscious form of mugs from the driver's seat and placed it in the rear seat afterward throwing a robe over it then he took mugs's place behind the wheel crouched forward waiting the motorcyclist stopped beside the roadster at this moment got em all right he asked cinch mugs is now sleeping peacefully in the rear behind a heavy robe i sure caught him off guard well verbeck is the next job he may stay in there talking to his girl half the night and he may be out in three minutes it'll be a game of weight i guess I'll hang around to give help if you need it, and be ready to jump in as soon as you get him. You gave Mugs a heavy shot, didn't you?

Starting point is 05:45:29 I guess he's good for half an hour in Dreamland, all right. Verbeck wants to get a heavy shot, too. When we get out on the river road, we can bind and gag the two of them. Careful now, if we miss out on this, the big boss will half kill us. i ain't never failed him yet not the bloc cut it the motorcyclist exclaimed be gentle with that name around these parts this is the home of verbeck's fiancee remember and heaven knows what sort of cops may be posted around here i'd better duck now he left the roadster and walked a short distance down the street finally coming to a stop against a wall there he waited in the shadows as did the driver of the light truck at the mouth of the alley the truck driver had witnessed the undoing of mugs and had chuckled some at it but had made no move to interfere little cared he if the black star's men rendered roger verbeck's chauffeur unconscious and hurled him into the rear of the roadster fifteen minutes passed the motorcyclist left the motorcyclist left

Starting point is 05:46:48 his retreat and walked up and down the street now and then the man in verbeck's car remained crouched behind the wheel of the machine and the truck driver at the alley's mouth did not change his position then the front door of the apartment house was opened and a man and woman stood framed in it for a moment the woman stepped back and the door was closed again the man turned up the collar of his raincoat and stepped briskly down the steps and toward the waiting roadster. The watcher at the mouth of the alley betrayed some interest now. The motorcyclist left his place of seclusion and walked forward slowly, head bent as if against the force of the storm. Home, Muggs! The man who had taken Muggs's place reached forward as he heard the words and found the seat beside him occupied. And for the first of the room, and for the first of the the second time that evening he turned swiftly and discharged a cloud of vapor from the pistol

Starting point is 05:47:54 he carried. For the second time also, that vapor rendered a man unconscious instantly. Great, walked right into the trap! It was the motorcyclist who spoke. He got into the car and aided his companion in putting the second unconscious man in the rear under the robe. let her out now, he went on. We've got them both, Verbeck and Mugs. I reckon we caught him off their guard. They didn't expect to get that vapor stuff right here in the boulevard. Great idea of the boss to always give a man what he doesn't expect. I guess this'll put a crimp into young and handsome Mr. Verbeck. Nail the boss, will he? Huh. The other had turned the roadster and now it darted up the boulevard at a speed perilously near the limit allowed by city ordinance from the mouth of the alley darted the light truck and took up the pursuit the driver of it was chuckling again evidently at the ease with which the black star's men had made verbeck and mugs captives

Starting point is 05:49:12 the verbeck roadster led the way up the boulevard and after a time turned into a side street down a long hill it dashed with the light truck following less than a block behind traffic was passing in both directions but the speed of roadster and truck did not diminish to any great extent now the residence district was left behind and the two machines were passing through the dark wholesale district. Here the truck dropped a short distance behind, and its driver glanced around frequently to see whether any other machine was following. And then a railroad crossing was reached, and the roadster was forced to stop against the gates while a long freight train was pulled slowly by. The truck drove up and stopped behind it. The driver got down and stepped across the sidewalk and into a cheap saloon on the corner there. He came out again, almost instantly, puffing at a cigar he had purchased.

Starting point is 05:50:20 He stood beside his truck, looking at the train, shaking the raindrops from his coat collar. The two men in the front seats of the roadster glanced at him, but apparently he gave them no attention. The end of the train rattled past, the gates began to lift. the roadster started slowly forward across the tracks the man who had been driving the truck gave a quick spring and landed on the rear of the roadster where there was a broad bulge in the body with an extra wheel lashed upon it top and curtains were up the men in the roadster could not see him they were in the poorer part of the city now and presently at the end of the paved streets here there began a road that curved along the river and after striking this road the man driving the roadster got all speed possible out of his machine the other crept into the rear end lifted the robe gave the two prisoners fresh shots from the vapor gun and then bound and gagged them on and on they rushed through the night the wheels hurling mud in all directions the brilliant head headlights cutting a path through the darkness.

Starting point is 05:51:43 They came to a bridge, and so crossed the river. Here the man who rode on the rear end of the car was exposed twice, as it flashed under the bridge lights, but no bridge tender observed him. It was a bad night. The tenders merely stepped to the doors of their tiny houses, saw that a motor car was passing, and let it go at that. On the other side of the river, the speed of the car decreased. After a time, the machine was driven from the main road into a sort of lane.

Starting point is 05:52:20 Here the going was slower yet, for the mud was deep and the roadbed cut into deep ruts. The car lurched from side to side in such fashion that the man who rode behind was almost hurled off. He could hear the men in the car talking. now. Nearly there, better dim the headlights, one of them was saying. Instantly, the headlights were dimmed, and in the semi-darkness the car plowed on through the mud. Now it approached an old house, from one window of which a light flashed. The car was stopped. The man who had been riding behind, dropped off into the mud, and crept through the black night toward the fence. one at a time the two unconscious prisoners were taken from the roadster carried through a gate up a walk and to the front door of the old house a bell would tinkle the door would be opened the prisoner handed over

Starting point is 05:53:26 after that had been done the roadster with all lights out was turned around and left in front of the gate then the men who had accomplished the abduction entered the house and the one light that had shown from a window was extinguished now the man who had been crouching against the fence moved rapidly yet with extreme caution he crept past the gate and where a great tree threw its branches over the fence he vaulted over standing against the trunk of the tree he waited for a time in silence listening intently for some noise that would tell of a human being near. He heard nothing but the moaning of the wind, the beating of the river against the shore, the soft patter of the rain on the leaves. He crept forward again, a few feet at a time, and finally reached the side of the house. He listened near a window, but could hear nothing. He found the window fastened, went on to another, and found that locked also. now he sent something near him but it seemed to be animal rather than human his hand dived into a pocket and came out with one of the black star's vapor guns

Starting point is 05:54:50 with his back against the side of the house he listened and waited he was sure now that he could hear breathing then he made out two eyes glaring at him in the darkness those eyes seemed to flicker for an instant and in that instant the man lurched quickly to one side a body fell against him he heard a snarl he sank to his knees grasped a hairy throat discharged the vapor gun and felt the body relax his hands worked swiftly in the darkness on a mission of exploration he was chuckling again as he got upon his feet so the black star did not depend wholly on human beings to guard him he had trained dogs should there be another dog he might sound an alarm before the vapor gun got in its work the prowler knew that and so he hesitated no longer but hurried around the end of the house here he found a cellar window unlocked a moment later he was inside the house he had an electric torch in a pocket but feared to flash it here again he listened for a time and then felt his way around the wall and so came to a flight of steps up these he crept to find a locked door at the top once more he listened to listen to the door at the top once more he listened and seemed to hear voices coming from a distance he reached in another pocket drew forth a key of peculiar shape and worked at the lock of the door for some time on the other side a key fell out with a clatter he waited fully a minute scarcely daring to breathe but decided at the end of that time that the noise made by the falling key had not been heard

Starting point is 05:56:54 now he turned the knob and presently opened the door half an inch bit by bit he threw it back and finally stepped into the room he closed the door behind him as carefully as he had opened it and even searched and found the key and locked the door again hurrying noiselessly across the room he entered another and finally passed into a narrow hallway he carried the vapor gun in one hand now and his electric torch in the other at any instant he knew discovery might come some place in that hall a door might be opened and light flooded he was liable to stumble against one of the black stars men in the darkness when he reached the other end of the hall he stopped to listen again once more he heard voices coming as if from a distance and decided that they came from some room on the second floor he was bold enough to flash his torch once now and discovered a rear staircase to this he made his way and up it and up it and he was bold enough to flash his torch once now and discovered a rear staircase to this he made his way and up it and into a hallway on the second floor now he felt that he was on more dangerous ground he could hear the voices plainly and could locate the room from which they came toward the front of the hall a thin streak of light streamed from beneath a door he managed to slip into the room adjoining that from which the light came after listening for some time there he flashed his torch again the room was large bare dusty on one side were two windows the panes filmed with dirt on the opposite side from which he had entered was a room was a large bare dusty on one side were two windows the panes filmed with dirt on the opposite side from which he had entered was a

Starting point is 05:58:52 another door with some old curtains hanging before it he crept across to this door careful that the boards of the floor did not creak with his steps he bent and peered through a keyhole into the room beyond he did not chuckle now for a chuckle might have meant disaster but he did smile and the expression on his face was one of lively satisfaction he had arrived at an opportune moment. Caution remained with him, however. He hurried back across the room and locked the door with the key from his pocket. Then he journeyed to one of the windows and made sure that it was unlocked and that from it a man easily could drop to the ground. That done, he went back to the keyhole again and bent down to watch. As he took up his position, a deep voice came from the other room, a voice that seemed to be issuing orders, in a tone that meant the speaker generally had his orders obeyed instantly.

Starting point is 06:00:03 "'All ready now. Bring those two back to Earth, and we'll have the show,' the voice said. "'Number ten, get out of the house and down to the river, and see that everything is prepared. It is now nine-thirty o'clock, and we want to leave about eleven. end of chapter twenty six recording by roger maline chapter twenty seven of the black star by johnston mcculley this librovoc's recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline chapter twenty seven in black star's hands the man who peered through the keyhole saw a large room furnished lavishly the furniture was massive in a massive and antique. The rugs on the floor were valuable. Tapestries of rare worth were there. Cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room. An antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

Starting point is 06:01:22 At the end of a long table and beside this lamp stood the black star. His robe and hood and mask in place, and the star of flaming jet flashing on the hood. Behind him was the blackboard upon which he wrote orders to those of his band not enough trusted to hear his voice. To one side were six members of the band, each dressed in black robe and mask. On two chairs a short distance in front of him, their hands and feet bound and their mouths gagged, were the two prisoners of the roadster. As the man of mystery watched, one of the Black Star's followers approached the chairs, and for an instant he held a small sponge beneath the nostrils of each of the two men.

Starting point is 06:02:12 He stepped back near the others. A moment passed, and then Muggs groaned and opened his eyes. Those eyes seemed to flash fire when he took in the scene. Well, my dear Mugs, here we are again. the black star said laughing a little you regain consciousness a second sooner than mr verbeck as i have noticed before that i presume is because you are a tougher specimen of humanity you you mugg stammered what's this your gag has slipped that is well for i was about to have it removed anyway so you can talk huh mugs waved his head from side to side and caused the gag to slip again i'd talk to you with my fists if i had the chance mugs said there you go again always violence i have wondered many times how mr verbeck can put up with you ah mr verbeck is in the land of the conscience again i perceive

Starting point is 06:03:25 mugs turned his head and looked at the man beside him then he faced the black star again them ropes on his arms are too tight and that gag's choking him mugs complained you treat me rough if you want but you treat my boss decent or i'll have something to say to you some time you scarcely are in a position to threaten just now mr mugs the black star replied laughing however mugs it is not my intention to cause mr verback any great degree of physical discomfort mental discomfort of course is another thing he made a motion and one of his men hurried forward and removed the gag he looked at the ropes too but shook his head as he regained his former position at the black star's left there mugs are you satisfied the black star asked your beloved master has had his gag removed and may talk or shriek to his heart's content my man indicates however that the ropes are all right you cannot tempt me mugs once or twice before you and mr verbeck were able to unfasten your bonds i want nothing like that to happen to-night he walked around the end of the table and toward the two prisoners and he laughed alofted a laugh as he looked down upon them. Well, Roger Verbeck,

Starting point is 06:04:59 here is the Black Star's new headquarters, he said. You often have wished to see the place, I believe, so take a look. You still think you can match wits with the Black Star, eh? I have done as I have threatened. I have had you and Muggs abducted, and I am going to take you along tonight when we do our little trick,

Starting point is 06:05:22 and then leave you unconscious on the spot for the city to laugh at. Aren't you about ready to admit that the black star is too crafty for you? Scarcely, came the reply in a firm voice. Why, my men tell me it was like kidnapping babies to get you in mugs tonight. It really was a shame to do it. So, you're going to continue your efforts to capture me, huh? i am certainly ah your voice almost has the note of fear in it you did not seem as sure as you did the last time i had the pleasure of entertaining you for a few minutes a few minutes is right mugs put in you've got your dirty hands on us three times now but you've never kept us longer than a few minutes and you'll not keep us to-night

Starting point is 06:06:21 i fear you err my dear mugs i am taking no chances with you or your precious master to-night as i live mr verbeck your face appears changed your cheeks are somewhat thinner that comes i suppose from living in continual fear of me let me see um it has been about three weeks since i informed you of my intention to abduct you and make you a laughing-stock again you've been worrying about it all that time huh been fearing to sleep or eat or ride abroad small wonder your face is thinner and your voice expresses fatigue he's been off his feed mugs blurted out and he's had a bad cold you needn't think me or my boss either would let anything you said throw a scare into us indeed had a bad cold huh i truly am sorry i did not give you this little entertainment when you were in good physical condition but everything is prepared mr verbeck and also you neglected to inform me you had a cold and wanted to discontinue this fight until you were better the black star laughed again as at a good joke and mugs growled imprecations deep down on his throat but the other man merely looked the black star straight in the eyes and remained silent i trust you understand the program mr verbeck the master criminal went on his laugh at an end it has been about six months since you made your foolish boast that you could capture me you should know by this time that it is an impossibility however you have had some excellent fun trying it and i have enjoyed the battle immensely

Starting point is 06:08:24 but now it must end it is getting to be a bore really exactly you're a sportsman i believe i'll make a sportsman i believe i'll make a make a deal with you. If Roger Verbeck does not capture the Black Star within the next 24 hours, after being right here and seeing the Black Star's headquarters, and being taken by the Black Star to the scene of tonight's crime, then Roger Verbeck gives his word of honor that he'll stop his feeble attempt and not bother the Black Star more. Roger Verbeck does nothing of the sort. still determined, huh? Very well.

Starting point is 06:09:10 Then, Mr. Verbeck, we're going to take you and your man mugs with us. We're going to give you a dose from a vapor gun and leave you where the crime is committed, as I said we'd do. We'll give the alarm ourselves, and have the police find you two there unconscious. Then let the public laugh. I fancy you'll hear a hot. howl go up for you to be ordered off the case.

Starting point is 06:09:38 I'd not be surprised if you were hounded out of this town, which has been your home all your life. I think not. Which shall you do? Make the deal I proposed, or be made a public laughing-stock again. I make no deals with a crook. And what's more, you're wasting your breath, mugs put in.

Starting point is 06:10:04 You leave my boss alone. He's about half sick. He's said a hundred times that you'll get too fresh some day. Someday you'll overlook a bet, make a mistake, and then he'll get you. And I'll be right there, I hope, when the getin's got. You were a very boisterous man, Mugs, the master criminal said. You'd be very vicious, I imagine, under some circumstances. "'Please do not be so violent. I abhor violence.' "'You're right. You'll abhor it if I ever get my hands on you proper,' Muggs exclaimed. The Black Star brought the palms of his hands together sharply. "'Enough of this chatter,' he commanded. "'We have scant time before leaving here for the scene of the evening's festivities.

Starting point is 06:11:00 "'You have decided, Mr. Verbeck, to be able to be. be made a laughing-stock? Very well. And where is this to take place? came the question. Ah, Roger Verbeck thinks I fear to tell him in advance, does he? Why, sir, I'll even tell you every detail of the proposed crime, if you wish. You are most certainly my prisoner, and cannot warn the police. And could you, it would avail those stupid police.

Starting point is 06:11:33 nothing. One could steal the buttons off their uniforms, and they'd not know it until the next day. I'm listening. Such impatience, the Black Star exclaimed. Attend me closely, then, Mr. Verbeck. You also, Mugs. Little good it'll do you. It is my intention tonight to reap a harvest of some three hundred thousand dollars in money, and securities. Quite ambitious that? Merely an ordinary task for the Black Star, I assure you. You're the original shrinkin' onion, Muggs declared. Silence, please, while I explain. The money and securities I mentioned are in the vaults of the National Trust Company.

Starting point is 06:12:27 Those vaults are impregnable, it is said. This is a joke, of course. with us it will be as easy to get that fortune as it would be to purchase a new cravat you're some modest violet said mugs keep quiet mugs and hear the plans the black star said his eyes glittering through his mask within the past two months there has been formed in the city a new lodge called the knights of certainty when one understands things that that title is rather a good joke. Many good men have heard of the order, and wondered why someone did not ask them to join, I presume. The membership was strictly limited. Members of my own band formed the lodge. "'And you're the supreme boss crook,' Mug said. "'Another remark, Mug's, and you'll get the vapor gun. Mr. Verbeck, you'd better warn your man to remain silent the black star evidently was getting angry mugs turned his head and found his fellow-prisoner indicating that he was to be quiet mugs obeyed

Starting point is 06:13:46 it would be a difficult task to get into a meeting of the nights of certainty the black star went on we're mighty particular who sees things i may mention that from the moment we hired our hall and put in furniture the room has been under close guard one of our own men even doing the janitor work this hall is on the third floor of the american building adjoining the national trust company we have been making our preparations nightly of course working from our hall some excellent carpenter and mechanical work has been done and now when we wish we have merely to pass through a wall to a stairway and then make our way over a trail we have prepared to the vaults of the bank and loot them everything is prepared i assure you at this moment my men are in the uniforms of the watchmen and doing their work there will be no one to molest us the vault locks have been fixed so that a few turns of the knobs will unlock them and yet an expert would swear that time locks and other protections are in perfect working order it has taken us some time to get this state of affairs prepared but the reward will be well worth our trouble the bank received a heavy gold shipment two weeks ago negotiable securities are piled in the vaults the bank in addition always carries a heavy cash balance for it has numerous branches and small affiliated banks yes i fancy we will be well repaid for the work we have put on it.

Starting point is 06:15:33 If you get the stuff, said Mugs. The black star whirled toward him, and one of his men stepped forward, but the master criminal decided to let the remark pass. He walked to the head of the table and glanced at his watch. We starred in half an hour, he said. Number six, go down to the river and inform number ten to be ready to get away instantly. once more he faced his prisoners how do you like my new headquarters he asked only a few chosen and trusted men of mine come here this is a ramshackle old house but i have three rooms fixed up comfortably and there are things of value in it believe me i find it advisable to dispose of loot slowly i'd hate to flood the market in lower prices

Starting point is 06:16:31 he laughed again and once more turned toward his men for a moment he conversed with them in whispers ignoring his prisoners a bell tinkled presently the black star touched a button on the end of the table and a few seconds later the man who had been sent away returned everything ready chief he reported in a low tone ah number four telephone main five seven eight two ask for gregg and say that mr stewart will have four cases of eggs to-morrow that will tell those at the other end that we are starting the man designated moved swiftly across the room to the telephone and sent the message the black star waved a hand and another man approached the two prisoners a vapor gun in his hand. They twisted and turned in their bonds, but the gun did its work. The Black Star laughed again as their heads fell forward. "'Clever, Mr. Verbeck, and clever, Mr. Muggs,' he said. "'Their attempts to capture me are childish, to say the least. Get ready now, for we must be off.' The men removed their robes and masks and put on overcoats and soft hands.

Starting point is 06:17:57 hats. The black star took off his robe, but his hood and mask remained in place, and the overcoat he donned had a wide collar that when turned up effectually hid his face. No one, without looking at him squarely under a bright light, could have seen the mask. The master criminal waved his hand and his men picked up the two unconscious prisoners. He led the way, and they followed. and the last man out turned off the light. Their steps sounded in the front hallway, the door latch clicked. They were gone.

Starting point is 06:18:37 The man who had been watching all this through the keyhole chuckled aloud now, and presently he opened the door with his key and slipped into the headquarters room. There he stood for some minutes to listen, for he wanted to be sure that he was alone in the house, and then he crossed the room to. the telephone, took down the receiver, and called a number in a soft voice.

Starting point is 06:19:04 The number was that of police headquarters. End of Chapter 27. Recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 28 of the Black Star by Johnston McCully. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 28. launch. Down on the bank of the river, a speedy launch was concealed under overhanging trees.

Starting point is 06:19:44 Two men were waiting in it when the Black Star, his other followers, and the two prisoners arrived. The prisoners, still bound, were stretched on a robe in the bottom. The Black Star and his men got aboard, and the launch slipped almost noiselessly out into the stream and started down it toward the city. The craft showed its lights properly, but it kept away from all other vessels, and the men aboard crouched down low and spoke in whispers. In time the two prisoners groaned and opened their eyes, the effect of the vapor having worn off, and at a sign from the Black Star one of his men inspected bonds and gags, and made sure that they were secure. The Black Star did not want any slip this night with a fortune at stake.

Starting point is 06:20:37 Your attitude this evening puzzles me, Mr. Verbeck, the master-criminal whispered in a sarcastic tone. You do not seem to be your usual self. Three or four times now I have had you as prisoner, and we have exchanged some conversation, and while I cannot say that I know you well, yet you do not seem the verbeck of old. apparently you have given up the fight you are passive been worrying huh afraid i'll abduct your fiancee as i almost did once and through her force you to join my band

Starting point is 06:21:16 stop your silly attempt to capture me verbeck and your worry will end no very well then mugs girdled behind his gag at this baiting of his comrade and the black star laughed at his ineffectual attempt to speak and at the angry glint in his eyes nor do you seem to be up to standard my dear mugs he went on i am disgusted with you this evening here you have been in my power for a couple of hours and have not made a violent move generally you manage to slip your ropes by some clever means losing your fighting spirit are you mugs gurgled again and the black star laughed softly and turned away we do not go into a wharf he told his men we will take no chances of the police being informed and in wait for us we stop at a certain place and transfer to touring cars get those fantastic robes from the locker and dress verbeck and mugs in them we'll mask them too and so when we reach the city if any one gets inquisitive we are merely initiating two gentlemen into the nights of certainty they were half-way to the city now and his men began carrying out his orders suddenly the engineer of the launch growled something shut off the power cut out all the lights and let the craft drift police launch he hissed over his shoulder up the river and directly at them rushed a high-powered craft that was hurling back the water from her bows her searchlight was sweeping the river

Starting point is 06:23:12 the black star growled orders his men stretched beside him on the bottom and the engineer hurled quantities of sacks over them then he snapped on the lights again and started the launch forward slowly, for he would be able to escape suspicion that way, better than if discovered by the search light and found to be drifting without lights burning. For a moment the searchlight rested on the launch, which continued on its course. The police craft swung in and headed directly for it. A hail came across the water. The launch was slowed down and the police boat stopped almost alongside. Who are you, and where are you going? An officer demanded.

Starting point is 06:24:01 This is the launch speedy, the engineer replied. I'm running to the fish market with a load of sacks. What's the matter? Seen any other launch? The officer demanded. Nope. How far have you come? From the mouth of the river.

Starting point is 06:24:23 Good fishing they. there now. I'll come aboard and look you over, the officer said. The police boat started slowly and swung nearer. In that instant, the Black Star's engineer acted. He threw on the power and dropped, for the wheel was locked. The screw churned the water and hurled a great wave at the police boat. Behind, the men in the police boat were shouting, and a fusilomers.

Starting point is 06:24:53 of revolver shots spattered around the Black Star's craft. But the police found themselves at a disadvantage. The Black Star's launch was swifter, and the police boat was headed the wrong way and had to be turned. While the turn was being accomplished, the firing continued, and the searchlight kept the prey in sight, but that prey was gradually putting distance between itself and the boat behind. The Black Star's boat was a hundred yards in the lead by the time the police launch had straightened out and taken up the chase in earnest.

Starting point is 06:25:31 The grim race was on, with the police firing at times, and the searchlight always playing on the vessel ahead. The Black Star had crawled from beneath the sacks now and was directing operations. All the speed you have, and get around the bend, he ordered we can leave the boat and take to the touring cars we'll be lost in the city before they can telephone headquarters or get cars and trail us the bend in the stream was not far ahead now and the master criminal issued further orders the two prisoners were treated to shots from the vapor gun again the siren of the launch shrieked a message to the man ahead waiting with the touring cars

Starting point is 06:26:20 around the bend and the launch dashed for the shore as it was reached the police boat came into view its searchlight trying to pick up the quarry the black star and his men tumbled out carrying the prisoners from the road a short distance away came the honking of an automobile horn then the searchlight struck them and the police launch turned and headed for the shore more flashes of flames split the darkness and bullets wind through the trees and underbrush but the black star and his men were in the dense woods now and hurrying along a narrow path that led to the road they reached the two waiting motor cars and tumbled in and the automobile started toward the city the police were just leaving their boat and rushing into the woods flashing their pocket torches their revolts their revolts their revolts their revolved held ready calling to one another they reached the road in time to hear the roaring of two motors and to see two cars disappearing down the highway they wasted another fusillade of shots and then hurried back toward the boat end of chapter twenty eight recording by roger maline chapter twenty nine of the black star by johnston mcculley this librovoc's recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline chapter twenty nine black star takes a trick the black star rode in the first car with his two prisoners and three of his trusted men and the others followed in the second car as close as safety would permit

Starting point is 06:28:18 both chauffeurs got all the speed possible out of the machines they drove the police had been left behind for the time being but there was danger of them getting to a telephone in some way and sending an alarm to headquarters if the black star's autos were headed off as they were entering the city disaster might follow if they could gain the city streets and separate undoubtedly their chances for getting to the lodge hall unobserved would be excellent. The Black Star was not worrying about the police. He deemed it a coincidence that the launch had run upon him. He believed the officers had been looking for river thieves and that they would continue to look for them. He did not think for a moment that the police in the launch were looking for the Black Star and members of his band. How could that be possible? How could the police know that this was the night the Black Star had chosen for a crime? and that he would be coming up the river in a launch we'll be at the bridge in a few minutes the master criminal chauffeur warned the road curves up to the bridge the black star replied

Starting point is 06:29:34 i do not think it possible that word could have been sent ahead but it is well to be prepared slow down as you reach the curve and shut off your lights the car behind will do the same we'll stop this side of the curve and investigate. On dashed the cars, and presently the Black Star's chauffeur decreased his speed, forcing the chauffeur behind to do the same. The lights of the two cars went out. They rolled along the road with scarcely any noise, and presently came to a stop. Here the road ran close to the river, and by getting from the car and walking a hundred feet, the master criminal could look down at the bridge.

Starting point is 06:30:20 He took one of his men with him and went to make his investigation. He saw at a glance what was happening. The police, it was evident, had reached a telephone. The bridge at the moment was swinging open. And when it was open, it remained so, though there was no boat in sight to make the passage through. And as the master criminal watched, he saw the police launch darting up the river.

Starting point is 06:30:48 Its searchlight flashed upon the bridge, and its siren bellowed. It turned toward the shore and touched. The police sprang out and ran up the bank. The black star could see them reach the floor of the bridge and run along it to the tender shanty. Then they scattered, hiding among girders and along the bridge approach. Hmm, very clever. the black star said to his man.

Starting point is 06:31:16 There is only the one road, too. We drive at a furious pace onto the bridge, we see the draw open, and we stop, and the clever police spring out and make us all prisoners. Very clever, except that I anticipated it. Maybe we could turn around and get back to our launch, his man suggested. Fool?

Starting point is 06:31:43 In the first place we'd lose valuable time, and then, when we did come up the river, we'd have to clash with the police boat again. Also, my brainy friend, if our launch is where we left it, you may be sure there is a police guard there waiting for us to return. If you happen to have any brains, try to use them. The Black Star's man gulped and kept silent. Go back to the cars and have to have. have all the men come here, bringing mugs and verbeck, the master criminal ordered.

Starting point is 06:32:19 The man obeyed. Within two minutes all were grouped around the Black Star, and the unconscious prisoners were on the ground at the foot of a tree. The Black Star explained their predicament. You chauffeurs, get back in the cars, turn on the lights, and drive on to the bridge, he instructed. when the police question you simply say you have been out to that roadhouse on the river bank earlier this evening which will be true and not finding fares there or prospects of any are on your way back to the city admit you heard firing back on the road and saw men rushing through the trees say you didn't stop because you were afraid of being held up there have been several automobile hold-ups in that vicinity recently, and argue with the police as long as possible while we do our part. The chauffeurs hurried away. They ran some risk, they knew. They might be put under arrest, but they had little fear of that. Both held licenses as public chauffeurs,

Starting point is 06:33:30 and they had established the roadhouse alibi on the master criminal's orders. And, if held, the Black Star would see that they were bailed up. out, and then they'd simply jump their bail. We're going through that bridge into the city, and we're going in the police launch, the black star told the others. That'll be rather rubbing it in, but the police deserve it. I'll write a letter to the papers afterward, telling just how we did it. There is only one man in the launch.

Starting point is 06:34:04 We must seize it and make a quick getaway. Run under the bridge and straight up the bridge. river we'll desert the police boat a short distance down the stream i've arranged for two taxi-cabs to be there i wasn't exactly sure where it would be best to leave our own launch and i always prepare for emergencies he led the way through the brush on the bank of the river they had but a short distance to go and they were directly opposite the police boat and about a hundred feet from it when they heard the two automobiles run up on the bridge and stop at the command of a policeman the black star was a wise general he did not send all his men forward at once had he done that the engineer of the launch would have been suspicious and he had he done that the engineer of the launch would have been suspicious and instantly sounded an alarm. The master criminal selected one man and had him walk boldly through the brush and down to the launch. In the semi-darkness, the engineer of the launch would believe him to be one of the plainclothes men returning with orders. The Black Star's man was within a dozen

Starting point is 06:35:18 feet of the boat before the engineer was aware of his approach, for he was busy with the searchlight. He turned when he heard the man splashing through the mud at the edge of the river, and before he could ask a question, he received a shot from a vapor gun and collapsed in the bottom of the boat, unconscious. The searchlight had been playing on the bridge approach. The Black Star's man swerved it aside for a moment, and then back into position, thus notifying his master that his work had been accomplished. down through the brush crept the black star and his men carrying their two prisoners they reached the launch and boarded it and the master criminals engineer hurried to his machinery the police engineer had been tossed out on the shore

Starting point is 06:36:10 but the escape was not to be made without trouble there was a captain in charge of the police squad who thought quickly when the two empty automobiles reached the bridge and the questioning of the chauffeurs began this captain ordered half his men to return to the launch and go back up the river to look for traces of their quarry they broke through the brush just as the launch's engineer was put on the shore the mere sight of men aboard the launch was enough to tell the police what had occurred they charged forward shooting wildly and yelling alarms to their companions up on the bridge bullets smashed into the sides of the craft as it backed slowly away from the shore the engineer was doing his best but he could not turn and put on speed until safely away from the shallows it was a perilous moment for the black star and his men the criminals returned the fire but made no attempt to hit their targets for the master's crook's orders always stood against inflicting wounds or causing death unless it was absolutely necessary crouching in the bottom of the launch they waited for the engineer to back out into the stream more police were hurrying down from the bridge and soon would be firing at the launch and they would be able to keep up their volleys until the launch was some distance away endangering the black star and his men and prisoners every moment of the time but the master criminal it appeared though he pretended to abhor all violence was no physical coward he sprang to his feet away from the protection of the bulwarks and jumped forward to the searchlight

Starting point is 06:38:05 while bullets rained around him he reached the light and turned it it flashed straight into the faces of the foes on the shore blinding them at that short range making them easy targets and rendering them incapable of aiming at the men in the launch. Some continued firing in the path of light. Others sprang for cover in the brush, expecting the men in the boat to fire a volley. The laugh of the black star rang out. He continued playing the light on them. The launch was out in the stream now and turning.

Starting point is 06:38:43 A moment later, the engineer gave her the maximum amount of speed and she dashed beneath the bridge and toward the city. Too bad our prisoners could not have been conscious and enjoyed this little battle, he told his men. Really, Mugs and Verbeck are not in the thick of it at all tonight. Generally they cause a part of the trouble, but tonight all our trouble has come from others. He chuckled as if well pleased with himself.

Starting point is 06:39:16 Some joke this. stealing the enemy's boat, he observed. End of Chapter 29. Recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 30 of the Black Star by Johnston McCully. This Libervox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 30.

Starting point is 06:39:48 Mugs in Action. For 15 minutes they ran in silence, and then the Black Star went forward and stood beside the engineer. Put in at the alley between National and Washington streets, he ordered. Out with your lights and make as little noise as possible. The two taxi cabs should be waiting at the end of the alley. Get ready, men, and pick up Verbeck and mugs.

Starting point is 06:40:18 We don't want to lose any more time. We've lost enough already. He was not chuckling now. He spoke in a stone. voice and his men knew that the black star was thinking only of the big planned crime now of getting the money and securities from the vault of the national trust company and removing the fortune to his headquarters then the band would scatter as usual and in the morning the police would discover that the lodge hall of the knights of certainty had been a crook's workshop and the robbery made possible because of it but they would make the discovery too late as usual. They would find little black stars pasted in the lodge hall and on the vaults, and none of the members of the Knights of Certainty would be seen again. The Black Star and his men would leave behind a couple of hundred dollars worth of furniture, and take away between two and three hundred thousand in coin and negotiable securities, and the next blow perhaps would be struck

Starting point is 06:41:22 in a different section of the city, and at an unexpected moment, as he would be struck in a different section of the city, and at an unexpected moment, as usual. The lights of the launch went out, and her speed was cut down until she scarcely crept through the water. Closer and closer she slipped to the shore, inside the shadows of large warehouses. She passed the end of a street, went in closer, and came finally to the alley. Silently the men lashed her to piling there. The two taxi-catsy cabs were waiting, and the transfer to them took but a few minutes. With curtains up, they crept to the mouth of the alley, turned into a street, and sped along it toward the business district. There was nothing unusual in the appearance of the taxi cabs.

Starting point is 06:42:13 A score of police officers would have glanced at them once and then turned away. Repeatedly they were held up at crossings by the theater and cafe crowds passing. they were caught in traffic jams but their chauffeurs puffed at cigarettes and waited nonchalantly until they could go ahead they reached the front of the building where the knights of certainty had their hall but did not stop there they went into the alley and pulled up at a little side door one of the men got out wrapped on the door and gave a password when a slot in it was opened the black star and his men got out glanced around carried their prisoners from the cabs and went into the building the door was closed again the two taxi cabs drove away an elevator made two trips to the third floor and the black star and his men entered the lodge hall guards took up the positions that had been assigned to them the doors were bolted securely the windows had been fitted with opaque glass and heavy curtains well here we are the black star said mask gentlemen now bring our prisoners back to life and we'll let them see how easy it is to make money while his orders were being obeyed the master criminal went to one of the walls and pressed against a certain spot there a section of the wall swung out and in the aperture a masked man stood

Starting point is 06:43:50 everything all right the black star asked all safe sir came the reply the watchman not a hitch there sir they are all unconscious and our men in their places we have reported regular for four hours and not a suspicion at headquarters or they'd have investigated before this the patrolman on the beat even looked in at a window once and waved at our man on the first floor excellent the black star said rubbing his hands in satisfaction he walked back to the end of the room his prisoners were revived now and had been placed side by side in chairs before he walked back to the end of the room his prisoners were revived now and had been placed side by side in chairs before one of the curtained windows in the rear of the hall. Ah, Mr. Verbeck and Mr. Muggs, the master-criminal smirked. You are conscious again, then? T'was a pity you didn't see the little fight we had with the police. I'd tell you all about it, but we haven't the time to spare,

Starting point is 06:44:57 and you can read about it in tomorrow's papers. Well, here you are in the hall of the Knights of Certainty. You see the aperture in the wall. wall? My mechanics have arranged a passageway between the walls of the two buildings. We have a sort of glorified dumbwaiter, and by its use can descend to the first floor of the National Trust Company's building. Simple, huh? I regret I cannot explain the method we are going to use to get into the burglaproof vaults. Did it become public property, the manufacturers might invent some means of counteracting it.

Starting point is 06:45:38 Kindly, sit still, gentlemen, while I have my men prepare the way. He deliberately turned his back and walked to the center of the hall again and called his men to him, all except the guards near the doors. He issued instructions, and two men hurried to the aperture in the wall and disappeared. The Black Star was the commanding general now, and his followers were eager to obey. for fifteen minutes perhaps he paced the floor glancing at his prisoners now and then and often stopping to issue some whispered instruction then one of the men he had sent below returned already sir he reported the vaults are opened the black star asked yes sir and every strong box all you have to do is take out the swag sir the suitcases are there and ready yes sir two of you carry mr verbeck to the dumbwaiter and we'll descend with him the master criminal commanded

Starting point is 06:46:48 sorry i cannot take you at the same time my dear mugs but the capacity of our dumbwaiter is limited i'll have you taken below before we are through though in the meantime sit calmly on your chair he laughed as he turned toward the aperture in the wall laughed again as two of his men carried the bound and gagged prisoner as if he had been a log of wood and chuckled as he saw the anger flashing in mugs's eyes the black star his helpless prisoner and his two men disappeared and the aperture in the wall was closed those who remained glanced at mugs but did not approach him and made no offer to taunt him. They left that to the black star. All except the guards at the two doors, and one who peered through a slit in the curtain at a front window, gathered in the middle of the room and spoke in whispers. Mugs tugged at his bonds for the hundredth time, and realized that he had been bound well. There was no hope of slipping from these ropes. Here was no broken glass upon which he could saw the ropes, as Roger Verbeck had done once.

Starting point is 06:48:06 Nor could he manage to get his fingers into a hip pocket and extract a knife that opened with the touch of the thumb and cut his bonds with that as he had done once before when in the Black Star's hands. Back at the master criminal's headquarters, he had been searched and his knife taken from him. He racked his brain for an idea that would lead to release, and could think of none. On the first floor of the adjoining building, he guessed, the Black Star and his men were filling suitcases with the wealth of the National Trust Company,

Starting point is 06:48:42 and a helpless and raging prisoner was being forced to watch the crime and endure the taunts of the Black Star at the same time. If only he could be free and have a good automatic in his hand. He glanced at the Black Star's men again. They were not even looking, in his direction. They knew well, he supposed, that he could not make a move. He could only sit in the chair against the curtained rear window and look straight ahead, absolutely helpless.

Starting point is 06:49:15 He imagined that he could hear a slight noise outside the window, but it was not repeated. If he could have seen, he would have noticed that the point of a sharp knife pierced the heavy curtain directly behind him, and where none in the room could do. see. Working slowly, cutting an inch at a time, that knife made a slit half a foot long. Then Muggs heard the slightest suggestion of a whisper. Mug's, we're here to help, but must move carefully. I'm going to cut your ropes and slip you a gun. Hold your arms tight so the ropes won't fall away until you're ready. Steady now. Mug's might be. Mug's might as you, have shrieked his happiness had not the gag prevented. He didn't pretend to know the owner of

Starting point is 06:50:07 the voice, and he didn't care much, so that it was a friend. One thing he did know, it was not the voice of Roger Verbeck, and it was not the voice of old Detective Riley, who had helped Mugs and Verbeck several times in their effort to take the Black Star. It was a strange voice, but welcome for all that. Mugs felt a knife sawing at the ropes that bound his wrists together behind him. He caught the ends as the ropes were severed and held them so that they would not drop away and alarm the Black Star's men before his feet were free.

Starting point is 06:50:47 The knife was working on the ropes that bound his feet now. It was slow and tedious work, and at times the knife was still. Finally, Muggs felt the last rope give, and he heard the whisper again. I'm going to slip you an automatic. Stick them all up and hold them while we break in behind you. If we make a false move, we'll lose. Is the black star still below? Wiggle your fingers if he is.

Starting point is 06:51:20 Muggs wiggled his fingers by way of answer, and almost immediately he felt the... the butt of an automatic pressed against his palm. Now, the voice whispered. None of the criminals were facing Mug's. He stretched his arms and legs once to restore circulation, and then sprang from his chair. Hands up, he shrieked and leveled the automatic.

Starting point is 06:51:48 Every man in the room whirled to face him at that command. One reached for a weapon, and Mugged shot over his head. behind him the window was shattered and there was a sudden commotion as half a dozen uniformed policeman a lieutenant at their head tumbled into the lodge hall with guns held ready keep him up the lieutenant warned another of the black star's men reached for a gun and the sergeant dropped him another darted quickly across the room and the bullet that went in his direction missed its mark he reached the wall and the light switch the lights went out end of chapter thirty recording by roger maline chapter thirty one of the black star by johnston mcculley this librivox recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline chapter thirty one in the bank the forces were about even and these men of the black star's organization whom he had taken into his inner circle and in a measure into his confidence could be expected to put up a brave fight to save themselves and their master from capture or death they knew how the public regarded the black star and his band they knew what a jury would do to any one of them who stood in the prisoner's dock and that the judge would give the limit of imprisonment to any declared guilty

Starting point is 06:53:35 so as the lights went out there came a scattered volley from the criminals who had darted to different parts of the lodge hall mugs and most of the policemen however anticipating that volley had thrown themselves flat on the floor and they fired at the flashes and changed their positions quickly again volleys were exchanged and shrieks of pain told that some of the bullets had found human marks the lieutenant was bellowing his commands urging his men to guard doors and windows in the darkness it was impossible to tell policemen from criminal and both sides ceased firing there came a rush and some of the black stars men reached the door that opened into the hall and threw it open they were met by a stream of light from the corridor and saw more policemen standing there awaiting them their weapons held ready. There was no escape that way. The light made it possible for the police to shoot again, and two of the criminals went to the floor badly wounded. Others ran to the front windows, but there was no way of escape there, for it was three stories to the ground. Nor could they reach the rear windows and fire escape, for the police were on guard there. They were cornered

Starting point is 06:55:02 in the lodge hall and knew it. To each of them came the thought that prison was better than death, for no murder was charged against the Black Star's band, and they had faith in their master and his organization. Arrest did not mean prison necessarily. Throw down them guns or take it, the lieutenant commanded. One of the Black Star's lieutenants groaned, threw down his gun, and put up his hands. then the others followed his example they couldn't understand how the police happened to be there the black star had almost always managed to lead them astray before they began wondering how it fared with the black star and the others on the floor below once too often this gang has tried to put over something the lieutenant said as his men snapped handcuffs on the crestfallen criminals we've got you this time and you'll do a long stretch each we was only holding a meeting one of the men replied

Starting point is 06:56:11 yeah i know all about that meeting masks on your faces and the black star and some more down in the bank and mugs bound and gagged in a chair and you was only holding a meeting down to the wagon you go now and straight to the whosgau mugs was not listening to this tirade of the lieutenants no sooner had he seen that the battle was over than he had raced across the hall to the wall where the black star had touched a hidden button and caused an aperture to show there he pressed the wall frantically but with no result he covered every square inch of it near where he had seen the black star put his hand but no opening appeared needn't waste time there mugs if you want to get to that verbeck man of yours he heard the sergeant saying there's some trick about it of course or it wouldn't belong to the black star we were outside the window on the fire escape and saw him open that and heard what he said so we'll just guard this end here in case they should open it and try to come up the lower floor is guarded too and they'll be mixing things there in a minute they're waiting until the black star gets his hands on some money and stuff we want to get him with the good see men all around the block too a mouse couldn't get away we've got him this time how'd you know mugs demanded don't ask me some tip to the chief and it sure was a correct tip two-thirds of the night relief is scattered around this block right now here's where we clean up by george i'm sorry you and verbeck didn't do it didn't we mugs snarled you wouldn't have done much i guess bound and gagged the way you were

Starting point is 06:58:18 just been left here for another joke nope the police get the credit for this the police and whoever tipped this off one of the black starsmen did it i suppose someone that was sore at him for something guess again mugs snarled he didn't fancy this belittling of roger verbeck by a lieutenant of police he turned and hurried across the hall and into the corridor and sped down the stairs he wanted to get around to the other side of the block and see what was transpiring in the national trust company's building he had forgotten the fantastic robe in which the black star had dressed him and the laughter of one of the policemen in the hall brought it to mind mugs tore the robe off and growled his imprecations and ran on as the policeman laughed again at the entrance to the building an officer held him up with leveled weapon not being sure of his identity mugs lost time until another lieutenant appeared who knew him and ordered his release he reached the street sprinted for the corner darted around it and reached the front of the bank everything seemed quiet there half a dozen policemen were standing on the sidewalk and there seemed no commotion inside why don't you get in why don't you do something mugs wanted to know standing here like dummies that ain't got easy there man one of them replied we're doin something all right you just wait here with us until we get the signal wait nothin mugs exclaimed i'm goin wait mugs we know the black star is in there and what he's doing

Starting point is 07:00:18 and we know he's got verbeck in there take it easy we've got it planned and we'll get him with the goods you'll let em get away with half of what's in the vaults that's what you'll do mugg stormed i've seen that gent work before you just let me get in there i've got a score or two to settle with him you'll have to wait he was interrupted by the blast of a whistle instantly the officers were active they sprang to the big double doors of the bank and crashed them open and tumbled inside others who came running took up their stations outside to watch every exit mugs was the second man through the front door it was dark inside save where some light came through the windows from the street the police flashed their torches and charged through the main room and charged through the main room and into the office section. They tumbled over low partitions and scrambled over tables and desks and chairs, working their way back of the cages toward the vaults. There had been officers stationed inside the building before the Black Star and his men arrived to begin operations, and they were in front of the charge. It had been the chief of police who had given the signal on the whistle. Through a glass partition he had watched proceedings until what he judged was the right moment to act he was eager to catch the master criminal with loot in his hands to get such evidence that there would be no possibility of a mistrial or acquittal

Starting point is 07:02:04 there was the sound of crashing glass as the partitions went down there was a loud command for the black star and his men to throw up their hands and surrender there came a deafening crash and a cloud of vapor rolled toward the police some inhaled it and fell others guessing what it meant tried to hold breath until it passed though it half-blinded them and made their eyes smart and torrents of tears run from them over the noise and confusion rang the mocking laugh of the black star through the gas cloud they could see him retreating shielding himself with the body of his bound and gagged prisoner three men who retreated before him carried two heavy suitcases between them shots rang out but none fell those of the police who had not been rendered unconscious by the gas bomb charged again they saw the black star back into a little side corridor saw him hesitate a moment by the wall put his hand against it and saw an opening appear through this opening his men darted he stepped into it himself still using his prisoner as a shield then the opening closed we've got em got him got him the chief cried our men are watching the top of that between the walls business he built and we are watching the bottom he can't get out he'll give up or he'll stay there and starve and if he doesn't give up mighty quick we'll go in after him mugs grasped the chief by the arm and opened his mouth to speak but the chief was quicker

Starting point is 07:04:00 i know mugs he said the scoundrels got verbeck in there but we'll get em and i don't think he'll hurt verbeck end of chapter thirty one recording by roger chapter thirty two of the black star by johnston mccully this librovoc's recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline chapter thirty two a narrow escape when the black star had entered the aperture in the lodge hall and the panel closed behind him he flashed his electric torch around the interior of a space about five feet long and three wide notice our ingenuity mr verbeck he said here we have constructed as i remarked a sort of dumbwaiter between the walls of the two buildings it took considerable time and great care was necessary but the job will be profitable for all that every bit of material had to be smuggled into the lodge hall but we did it without the stupid police suspecting anything was wrong i am sorry that i cannot remove your mask and gag and discuss this bit of work with you but you might shriek and call down our foes kindly give me your close attention now you see this small cable running through the corner i pull on it like this similar to the old-fashioned elevators you see and down we go the little box arrangement crept downward slowly as the black star chuckled his satisfaction there was not the slightest noise the holes even had been greased so the cable would slip through silently

Starting point is 07:06:05 inch by inch the box descended it was insufferably hot and the air was bad none spoke a word until the descent of the box stopped and then the black star turned to his prisoner again. We are at the bottom, he said. You see this small button here? It is connected with an electric light signal that we installed, and when I press it a certain number of times, it conveys a meaning to one of my men in the bank. The little bulb light, I assure you, is cunningly hidden. You see, I am prepared for everything, Mr. Verbeck. Perhaps that is why I am so successful. He reached out and pressed the button. There was a wait of half a minute, and then a green bulb glowed in the top of the box. Ah, the coast is clear, the black star said. We are about to take a fortune in money and securities from the strongest bank in the city, Mr. Verbeck, from a bank that

Starting point is 07:07:12 boasts its vaults cannot be opened by burglars. The black star chuckled again. and then pressed against the wall. An opening showed before them, and one of the Black Star's men stood just outside, masked. Already, sir, he reported. The suitcases are on the table before the vault's door, and you have only to open that door and step inside. The watchmen are on duty?

Starting point is 07:07:43 In front on the two upper floors, sir, and in the rear on this floor at this time, he has to punch his report box there in ten minutes guard the corridor then i want only the three men with me in the vault room should there be trouble use the back exit and leave this for me and those working with me he stepped out as he ceased speaking and the men behind him carried the prisoner between them as they had on the floor above they were in a narrow side corridor that ran from the offices to an alley entrance, an entrance used by directors when they attended a meeting, and by bank officials, when they desired to get out of the building

Starting point is 07:08:30 without seeing some undesirable. Along this narrow corridor, they walked slowly, bending low when they came to a place where light came through the windows from the street. They opened a door and passed through an office, opened another door, and were in the vault room.

Starting point is 07:08:49 put mr verbeck in that chair at the end of the table and facing the door of the vault the black star whispered to his men i want him to have the privilege of watching operations then when we are done we'll pin a nice little note to his breast put him to sleep go away and telephone the stupid police to come here and find him and then the public can have a laugh his men obeyed him and the black star turned to the door of the vault he chuckled again as he reached a hand forward grasped the handle and swung the heavy door open he looked back at his prisoner and waved a hand in derision and then stepped into the vault the others could see his torch flash and presently he came out and began piling packages of bank-notes into one of the suitcases i am gathering the big bills haven't time to bother with such things as fives and tens at first perhaps if we have time i'll take a few packages for the men now for some more six trips he made into the vault and each time he came out with his arms filled with bundles of bank-notes which he put into the suit-case on the seventh trip he carried two bags of gold coins and put one in the first suit-case and locked it and then through the second sack in a corner of the second suit-case securities were the next things he went after he filled the second suitcase with bonds even stopping to flash his torch over them and discard those of small value or such as would not be easily negotiable

Starting point is 07:10:45 you see how simple it is mr verbeck when a man with brains plans things he asked quite a bit of wealth here what more than many ordinary men would earn during their lifetimes and i take it as an evening's diversion after some weeks of preparation of course and make it instead of a lifetime's work only one bit of work out of many good ones i am going to make one more trip i have heard of a certain diamond necklace that is kept in this vault and i want it if it can be found quickly if i do not get it to-night i'll have to rob this place again and i have made it a rule heretofore never to strike twice in the same place even his own men marvelled at the man's composure here he was robbing the strongest financial institution in the city entering a vault considered impregnable and without showing the slightest nervousness apparently he was in no great hurry to get away he might have been a man in his own home showing his friend's treasures taken from a private safe then came the sound of a distant shot the sound of breaking glass a man's shriek the black star hurried from the vault and stood listening and the faint light from the street showed that there was some concern in his countenance one of the watchmen came running in from the corridor the red signal he exclaimed the signal from the lodge hall quietly quietly my man the master criminal said nothing ever is gained by getting into a sweat when quick thinking is necessary give the signal and go out the rear way all of you

Starting point is 07:12:43 but you sir i'll take care of myself go undoubtedly those fools upstairs are frightened at nothing but a fusillade of shots from the lodge hall above gave the lie to his words something appears to be wrong he said i suppose we may as well get out of here and into our between-the-wall's box pick up the suit-cases men i am sure i don't imagine what has happened there is no way in which the police could have been informed if you were not my prisoner now mr verbeck but you are and so is mugs i was going to bring mugs down here and leave him with you but he'll have to miss this share of the fun i think one moment mr verbeck until i decorate your breast with a sarcastic note he reached in his pocket and brought forth the note he had prepared and stepped toward the prisoner reaching to his lapel for a pin we'd better hurry one of his men suggested are you afraid when i am here beside you the black star demanded such a man has no place in an organization like mine i am afraid for you sir that's all your solicitude from my welfare overwhelms me start on my man and i'll be with you almost instantly the three men started toward the door with the suit-cases the black star bent forward to pin the note on the breast of the man before him and then the chief's whistle came with the crashing in of the front door of the bank the black star was a changed man

Starting point is 07:14:37 he grasped his prisoner by the shoulders jerked him from the chair and dragged him across the room to the office door through the offices police poured in upon him his hand dived into his pocket and came forth holding a round object about the size of a tennis ball he hurled it on the floor in front of the advancing foes there was a roar as the bomb struck a hiss as the cloud of vapor spread the black star laughed mockingly and backed toward the wall shielding himself behind his helpless prisoner's body he touched the wall and the opening appeared he went in still carrying his prisoner and in the little box he laughed again aloud and tugged at the cable quite a bit of excitement mr verbeck he observed but here we are safe and sound and with the suitcases filled with loot now i wonder what brought those police down upon us i suppose i'll have to go through my organization and ask a few questions and if there is such a thing as a trader ha he tugged at the cable again and the box ascended listen to the poor fools pounding on the wall he exclaimed they will have difficulty i imagine finding how that opening is caused you notice my dear mr verbeck that when i opened it either above or below i pressed the wall with my hand that is merely a trick should some one be observing too closely

Starting point is 07:16:25 as i do that i touch the real spring with the toe of my shoe men can press with their hands all day and not find it end of chapter thirty two recording by roger maline chapter thirty three of the black star by johnston mcculley this librivox recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline chapter thirty three puzzled police as he ceased speaking the black star turned suddenly and gave his prisoner a shot from the vapor gun his own men evidently had guessed what was coming for they turned their faces away and each held a small sponge to his nostrils for in that close space the vapor seemed twice as heavy quick now the master criminal instructed his men i don't know how it happens that the police came down on us but they're here and i suppose the block is surrounded we can't go up and we can't go down yet the men upstairs must have been overcome since the fighting is stopped and the bank is full of police so we'll try the half-way station he tugged at the cable and the car stopped. He flashed his torch on the wall and then pulled the cable again and forced the car to ascend as slowly as possible, while he looked closely at the wall. Here's the scratch we made, he said finally and stopped the box. He pressed against the wall and a new aperture showed.

Starting point is 07:18:20 In with you, he instructed, and don't forget the loot. The three men stepped up to passed him and into a tiny room that had been constructed between the walls half-way from the first floor to the third the black star followed turned to tug at the cable and send the box to the top of the shaft and then close the opening and turn to face his three men and his unconscious prisoner here we are he said speak in whispers now and we'll be all right we have some ventilation here and you may smoke if you wish this little room was connected with an air shaft in the building you'll remember you see what forethought does i had this constructed just for such an emergency the percentage of chance was against it ever being needed but i thought it better to take no chance and you see what it has meant that is why i always win i prepare for every possible contingency The police at that moment were trying it. Down below, the chief was ordering his men to hammer through the wall, since they were unable to find the spring that released the panel.

Starting point is 07:19:41 Those above had been unsuccessful in their search for the spring, too. And both above and below, officers were smashing at the wall with axes, trying to cut their way through. Down in the bank, Muggs was raging. I knew you'd let him get away, he cried. I knew it. We've got him trapped, the chief answered. How do you know it?

Starting point is 07:20:09 Ain't you got some respect for the Black Star's schemes by this time? We'll get him. You're worrying about Verbeck, that's all. I don't think he'll hurt your boss. The Black Star will get out some way. Take it easy, Muggs. the chief advised. We've got the entire block surrounded.

Starting point is 07:20:32 Every door and window is being watched. Why, I've even got men watching the sewer connections. Not a rat could get out of this block without being seen and caught. Yeah, we had him surrounded in a house once out on the river, and didn't he get to the roof and streak it away in an airplane? Well, you may be sure. he hasn't any plane on the roof of this building mugs. He couldn't have driven it here and landed. It'd have been smashed to bits, and besides, someone would have heard or seen him.

Starting point is 07:21:10 An airplane makes a noise, and he didn't have any on the roof at supper time, because one of the watchmen we found, bound and gagged, lives up there, and he just told me he'd seen nothing suspicious. We've got him in a trap, I tell you. the wall crashed in and the men fell back half expecting to face a fight with the black star and his men but their torches showed them a dark shaft running up between the walls and a cable in one corner of it and that was all they cleared away the debris up in the lodge hall the other policemen smashed through the wall too and sent a shower of bricks and plaster down through the shaft they held conversation with those below that box business is up here chief but she's empty one of the men called what's that empty not a sign of anybody in it or anything it was at the top of the shaft the chief sputtered a moment in impotent rage and then shouted his orders up the shaft two or three of you get into the shaft two or three of you get into the shafts that blamed thing and come down, and you examine the walls every inch of the way.

Starting point is 07:22:32 Keep your torches going and have your guns ready. I tell you, they've got to be in the shaft somewhere. Then he stepped back and waited. The cable moved, and by glancing into the shaft, the chief and his men could see that the box was descending slowly. The chief turned to send a captain outside to warn the men who surrounded the block that closer watch was to be kept they're in this block and they can't get out without being nabbed he declared and then the box struck the bottom of the shaft and with a sigh of relief a lieutenant and two men crawled out not a thing he reported we examined every foot of the walls and there isn't a crack nor a hole a mouse could get through. The top of the shaft is solid wall, and so is the bottom. The black star and three of his men went in there and took Verbeck with them, and they've gone up in smoke or something.

Starting point is 07:23:40 You're a fool, the chief retorted. He got in the box himself with two men, and went up and came down again, and confessed himself bewildered. reports came in from the streets that not a person had left the block the black star and the others it seemed had melted into thin air and drifted out and away the black star at that moment was chuckling softly and assuring himself that his prisoner was not regaining consciousness he had used the vapor gun in the box before reaching this hole in the wall because he didn't want his prisoner to know where he had used the vapor gun in the box before reaching this hole in the wall because he didn't want his prisoner to know where he was had been, for the Black Star intended having his little joke. He and his three men had held their sides to keep from laughing aloud, as the police went up and down the shaft, so close to them at times that they could hear the muttered curses of the officers. The entrance to this little room was the best job of all, he said. They could look right at it and not see it, and if they

Starting point is 07:24:49 did see it, they couldn't get in. But we're due for quite a rest here, one of his men complained. Don't get nervous, the master criminal warned. We are due to get out of here before daylight, and don't you forget that. Don't think that I intend to stay here all day tomorrow, waiting for tomorrow night. If we did, we might find that the stupid police had sealed up the bottom and top of the shaft. That'd be lovely, wouldn't it? He chuckled again, as his three men shuddered at the thought of being interred alive.

Starting point is 07:25:30 He went to the wall and pressed against it, and the panel slid back three or four inches. Leaning forward carefully, the black star glanced down. He could see the flashes of the police torches at the bottom of the shaft, and he could hear Mugs and the Chief in a lively argument. glancing up he saw the flash of a torch at the top he reached out knowing that his hand could not be seen unless several torches were flashed down the shaft at the same time and pulled at the cable the box began to ascend it was half-way to the hole in the wall before the chief noticed it and then thinking the men above were raising it he shouted for them to lower it again while they conversed by shrieks and yells the black star brought the box opposite the sliding panel and gripped the cable there the men below and the men above tugged at the cable but the box remained in place the black star still chuckling took pencil and paper from his pocket and scribbled a note and pinned it to the breast of the unconscious man before him

Starting point is 07:26:48 then he tumbled his prisoner into the box go down to your friend the chief and mystify him my dear mr verbeck the black star said you have not indulged in much action this evening i trust the chief will unbind you and that when you regain consciousness you'll join in the chase he chuckled again tugged at the cable and sent the box downward and then close the panel and sat down beside his men. Listen now, and you'll hear a roar, he exclaimed. But how are we going to get out, sir? One of the crooks asked. Don't worry about that. What time is it?

Starting point is 07:27:37 The man flashed a torch and glanced at his watch. It's almost two o'clock. Ah, then we'd better get out of here within the hour. it'll be daylight by four thirty and i want to be back at headquarters before then you know how i am going of course i know how you'll go if you get out of here the man replied getting out of here is what is worrying me don't worry it causes gray hairs listen they could hear a commotion at the bottom of the shaft the box had reached its destination, and the bound, gagged, and unconscious man had been seen and taken out. It's Verbeck, the chief cried. He's doped or something. Vapor gun, Muggs explained. Then they've sent him back to us. But where did he come from?

Starting point is 07:28:40 Answer me that. He didn't come from the top, and there's no place between here and the top or he could come from. Unbind him, you men, and take that gag off. Maybe he can tell us something when he gets rid of that vapor dope. What's this? A note? One of the men held his torch, and the chief read it swiftly. Dear chief, here is Roger Verbeck, safe and sound. Since you don't seem able to make very much war against me, perhaps you'll revive verbeck and let him get into the game i've kept him pretty quiet to-night i'm sending him to you out of the sky my dear chief you might say at least you don't know where i am sending him from and cannot find out i don't know how you got on my trail so swiftly to-night but it didn't save the bank from losing a vast sum and didn't help you much did it if i ever get my two hands on that man he'll never live to stand trial the chief promised verbeck conscious yet we've got to look into this business i tell you the black star's somewhere in this building he's somewhere in that house he's somewhere in that shaft. But he can't be, a lieutenant protested. There isn't a place in the shaft where a man

Starting point is 07:30:10 could leave the box. Nevertheless, Verbeck's come too, one of the men cried. They knelt beside him, aided him to sit up, tried to get him to talk. They shot questions at him as bullets come from a machine gun, and he waved them away. where do they take you verbeck the chief demanded i don't know i've been unconscious all the time they did it just after the box started up that's the last i knew until now they're in that shaft the chief cried i'm going up again to see end of chapter thirty-three recording by roger maline chapter thirty four of the black star by johnston mcculley this librovoc's recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline chapter thirty four what happened to the chief the head of the police department knowing that a crowd surrounded the block now and that news had gone abroad that the black star and some of his men had been cornered and the head of the police department and that the black star and some of his men had been cornered and that certain newspaper reporters were standing by and waiting to see whether the police would be made again to look like fools grew frantic

Starting point is 07:31:51 also his determination to capture the black star increased he had his men drive every one out of the bank building and guard the offices and corridors and leaving four men to guard the bottom of the shaft with two others he got in the box and started to ascend the black star from his post above heard the chief issue these orders and knew the box was on its upward journey couldn't be better he told his men only four at the bottom of the shaft now you know we have to go of course hurry through the corridor to the narrow flight of stairs in the rear and climb but one of his men began silence fool the box is almost opposite us the chief and his two men were ascending slowly examining every inch of the walls with their torches they stopped for a moment just outside the panel but evidently saw nothing to make them suspicious for the box continued its ascent it went on until it was at the top and there the chief held a consultation with his men and examined the lodge hall's walls making certain by questioning the men on guard that it would have been impossible for the black star and his men to have passed through the room without being seen then the disgusted and sorely angry chief got into the box with his two officers again and started to descend more puzzled than before the black star heard the descent begin and growled orders to his three-fifers followers. He touched the wall and slipped the panel back three inches, and thus he waited,

Starting point is 07:33:47 one hand ready to close the aperture instantly, the other holding a vapor gun. Below him, one of his men stretched out on the floor and made ready to grip the cable when the master criminal gave the word. The box continued to descend. The chief was speaking of the futility of examining the walls again. He was going to double the guard around the block, he declared, and wait for daylight and go through the buildings inch by inch until he found the black star. The master criminals men, all but the three with him, had been accounted for, and now were in cells at police headquarters, he was saying. The black star hissed a warning to the man on the floor. The box came directly opposite the aperture in the wall. The man on the floor gripped the cable and stopped it,

Starting point is 07:34:45 and as he did so, the Black Star's vapor gun worked. Three times he pressed the trigger, filling the box with stupefying gas. The chief was the first to topple forward. The other two were unconscious almost instantly. The Black Star and his men staggered backward, holding the little sponges to their nostrils. The air cleared, and then the master crook opened the panel to its greatest extent, and hauled the chief of police and his two men inside the little room. "'Lively now,' the Black Star commanded. "'Only four men at the bottom, remember, and there are three of us. I'll hurl a vapor bomb as soon as we get to the bottom, and you be ready with your guns. I'll take one of those suitcases.

Starting point is 07:35:40 Number ten, you take the other. And you, number six, make sure of at least two of the men at the bottom, if you can. They got into the box and started it downward, leaving the chief and his two men in the halfway room. They mumbled a conversation so that the men below would hear it and think nothing was wrong. foot by foot they drew nearer the bottom of the shaft.

Starting point is 07:36:08 Finally, the box jarred and stopped. A bomb crashed at the feet of the four men standing less than half a dozen paces away. The cloud of vapor surged at them as the black star and his three men sprang out. Vapor guns flashed, and the four criminals rushed through the narrow corridor toward the rear stairs. They had not hoped to get away without an uproar being raised, and they did not. Two of the four guards shrieked as they fell, and other policemen came running from the front of the bank. They arrived in time to see their comrades falling and to see four dusky shapes running down the corridor. Their revolvers spoke, and the Black Star and his men once more found themselves in the midst of a leaden hail.

Starting point is 07:37:01 as they got to the bottom of the stairs one of the men stumbled and fell coughing because of the wound he had received the black star and the other two had no time to stop it was an axiom of the master criminal's organization that every man should care for himself in such an emergency get away with the lute was the motto a man arrested would be bailed out or aided to his escape from prison by the organization if possible but the others of the organization were waiting to share the loot and could not be denied for the sake of a single man so the three ran on springing up the stairs two at a time reaching the second floor and going on to the third behind them came the determined pursuit outside in the streets other officers heard the commotion and prepared for a a dash on the part of the crooks. The Black Star hurled another vapor bomb and checked the pursuit for a moment, but not for long. They were on the fourth floor now,

Starting point is 07:38:14 and they could tell by the sounds that officers were rushing up the broad stairs in front. The Black Star was glad that the elevators were not running. Had they been, he could have made a swifter getaway, but also the pursuit would have been closer. Now they were panting because of their exertion, but did not slack in their pace. The fifth floor was reached, and half a dozen policemen dashed down a hallway at them. Once more there came a fusillade of bullets, and another of the Black Star's men fell.

Starting point is 07:38:51 There remained only himself and one other now, but they kept hold of the two suitcases filled with loot. The top floor was above them, and they reached it only by hurling two more vapor bombs. They rushed along a hallway toward the front of the building now. They came to where a curving iron stairway led to the roof, and up this they rushed, exposed to the shots of the police as they came into view. The Black Star threw his last bomb. The man behind him staggered and fell. but was upon his feet again instantly he gasped that he had not been wounded had only tripped on the edge of a step they reached the little door at the top threw it open and dashed out on the roof

Starting point is 07:39:43 the door was slammed behind them bolted and barred the bars constituted another of the black star's preparations against emergencies his men had affixed them the last thing that evening on the other side the police crashed against the little door fired into it and then realized that it was a metal fireproof door and proof against their bullets it was another case where axes would be necessary it took several minutes to send word down and get axes from below and then the assault on the door began they took turns working at it for this was no easy task finally the hinges gave a trifle and they redoubled their blows while others behind them got ready to give battle the word spread below rapidly the black star and one of his men were on the roof trapped they would be prisoners or dead soon now if the police could not get at them through the door then the fire department would be called ladders would be raised and they would be reached that way. The door gave again. Some of the police cheered. With revolvers held ready, they waited for the blow that would hurl the door to the roof and let them through. The door crashed and a roaring filled their ears. A gust of wind swept back against them.

Starting point is 07:41:21 Something dark showed against the sky. They heard a mocking laugh. His aeroplane, curse him, a sergeant cried in anger. There he goes! Again, they heard the laugh. They fired in the air, knowing as they did that their target already was beyond reach. The beating of the aeroplane's engine grew fainter. The sergeant stepped to the flagpole at the corner of the roof and took from it a bit of paper that had been fastened there.

Starting point is 07:41:56 he read it then put it in his pocket to give his chief and this is what he read farewell gentlemen you gave me a run for my money to-night battered up some good men of mine and took others prisoner but i have triumphed in the end perhaps you wonder how the aeroplane happened to be here on the roof where it could not possibly have landed though it can take off from here why it was carried up from the lodge-hall in sections to-night after the building watchman had been disposed of and my men took charge and expert mechanics worked hard to assemble it i had not expected to use it but found it necessary it was another emergency for which i was prepared always prepare for emergencies and never make mistakes and you may be successful like me. By the way, I am getting away with quite a fortune, and with the place filled with police. Tell that to the papers, and give my respects to Roger Verbeck and Mugs. Got away! Got away with the goods, the sergeant muttered. Oh, heavens, what will the public say to this? They'll clean out the department from the chief to the office boy.

Starting point is 07:43:27 End of Chapter 34. Recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 35 of the Black Star by Johnston McCully. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 35. An unexpected blow. The Black Star took his aeroplane to an altitude of 3,000 feet,

Starting point is 07:44:01 circled over the city, and finally started down. on the river. He gave all his attention to the machine, and did not even glance at the man who sat beside him. Far below were the lights of the city where he had stolen so many fortunes in money and jewels the past six months, the city he had terrorized, at whose police he had scoffed, and the home of Roger Verbeck, the young millionaire clubman who had sworn to capture him. well verbeck had not captured him he thought he had made the young clubman a laughing-stock more than once he had made his efforts appear childlike and foolish and so he was satisfied for he would have to leave this particular city now he knew his last two adventures had almost resulted in his downfall in them he had lost many men including his most trusted lieutenant the man beside him really was the only one left whom he could trust he could afford to retire for a time and that was what he would do he decided

Starting point is 07:45:14 he had ample funds he would call the remainder of his band together in a couple of days at some new headquarters for he had a feeling that the present one was dangerous after to-night give them their share of the money on hand and then pack up and to get out. War-ridden Europe did not appeal to him now, but there was Japan and China and the South Seas. He'd spend a year or so touring around, taking life easy, enjoying himself, spending his money, and gloating over some of the magnificent jewels that the band had stolen and which he had claimed in his share of loot. When the country had begun to forget the black star, he'd reappear in some other city, organize his band again, and start his depredations anew. It took the black star only a few minutes to decide this. Having decided it, he felt better. He looked down at the river and failed to see any craft.

Starting point is 07:46:20 I'll go to headquarters, the black star told his man. You go on with the plane and hide it in the usual place back in the woods and then get into town. I'll send you word in the usual way within a couple of days where to have the men come for their share. I'm going to give up the present headquarters, for it'll be dangerous after tonight, I am afraid. I'll pack up and get out by noon tomorrow. Verbeck's roadster is near the front gate, the man reminded him. That's right, got to get that out of the way before daylight. You go ahead with the plane, though. I'll get the suitcases in the house, and then run the roadster up the road and drive it into the river off the cliff. He turned the plane toward the shore and descended slowly. On reaching the ground, the master criminal

Starting point is 07:47:20 tossed the suitcases overboard, then sprang out himself. Good night, he said. night sir the plane with its engine roaring took the air the black star picked up the heavy suitcases and started for the road after all he was thinking it would be a relief to get away and give up his dangerous occupation for a time he hated to admit it even to himself but to-night's business had shaken him he had almost felt fear especially when he had been cornered in in the halfway room. But he had succeeded. He had made a last big hall. He was safe now. There remained only to leave the headquarters,

Starting point is 07:48:11 meet the men, and distribute some money, and then quit the city for the West and China and the South Seas. Crime didn't pay, huh? Well, he had made it pay. He decided that he'd send a last sarcastic note to the police. the newspapers and to roger verbeck just as he left he chuckled again now as he thought of verbeck it seemed that he had been unable to get into action to-night how he would rage when told that the black star had escaped again how funny little mugs would snort how the fat chief would fuss and fume yes the black star had had his fun as well as his profit it. He reached the gate and passed through it up the drive to the house. Here he set the suitcases down on the porch and unlocked the front door. Then he took the loot inside, struck a match, and applied it to the wick of a lamp. A hasty glance around the room told him that nothing had been disturbed during his absence. For a moment he stood in the center of the room and listened and looked about. Then he put him to the room. Then he put him to him.

Starting point is 07:49:29 the suitcases on a table he threw off hood and mask and overcoat and hat and opened the suitcases before him were the bundles of bank-notes the two bags of gold the packages of securities a fortune he laughed lightly and went to a cupboard and got out crackers and cheese and a can of fish he laughed as he ate his simple meal and promised himself a gorgeous dinner before another twenty-four hours had passed having eaten he put the remainder of the food away closed the suitcases again lifted a trap-door in the floor beneath a rug and put the lute in a hidden box there he stretched his arms and glanced at his watch it would be daylight within the half hour now and he needed sleep he decided that he had retire and rise in about four hours four hours of sleep would refresh him enough he decided for the time being he wanted to smuggle himself and his ill-gotten gains into the city by noon keen eyes watched his every movement through the keyhole in the door that opened into the adjoining unused room the mysterious man who had trailed the abductors there early in the evening was still in the house the hours had seemed doubly long but he had waited he watched the black star carefully now he had made sure that he had returned to the headquarters alone and now he was awaiting his own and now he was awaiting his chance. He knew that the Black Star had a couch in the room on the other side of the

Starting point is 07:51:18 headquarters room and would sleep there if he decided to go to bed. He watched him as he removed coat and vest and took off his shoes and donned a pair of slippers. And then he crept softly across the room, unlocked the door that led to the hall, and slipped out. Foot by foot he made his way along the hall, and noiselessly, for he had removed his shoes. He reached the door of the room where Black Star slept, and crept inside and went across to the other door, and there, crouching at one side, he waited. The Black Star finished undressing and put on a pair of gorgeous pajamas. Then he turned off the light and started for his couch. He passed through the door. and then he gasped in surprise and alarm, tottered, tried to curse, and fell forward unconscious

Starting point is 07:52:17 into the arms of the other man, a victim of his own vapor gun. The man who had caused his downfall laughed aloud now and ran to the lamp to light it again. From a corner he carried ropes and bound the unconscious man securely. He gagged him too and propped him up. in a chair and tied him in it with ropes. Then he whirled toward the trap door beneath the rug and managed to get it open. He lifted out the suitcases and other boxes in which valuables have been stored. Money, securities and jewels, he said. I guess I'll just take care of these, Mr. Black Star. He laughed again, half in relief and half in pure joy, and then he

Starting point is 07:53:08 rushed across to the telephone. For the second time that night he called a number, the number of police headquarters, and then he gave a startling message. End of Chapter 35. Recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 36 of the Black Star by Johnston McCully. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Roger Malene. CHAPTER XXX IN Custody WHEN THE BLAC STAR OPPED HIS IS IS IS IS HE SAW A Peculiar-looking individual before him, scarcely half a dozen feet away, who held an automatic pistol in his hand in a threatening manner. This individual was dressed in greasy overalls and jumper and had a soft hat pulled down low over his forehead.

Starting point is 07:54:12 head. The collar of his jumper was turned up so that scarcely any of the face could be seen except the eyes. His hands were dirty. His hair was black and long, and apparently needed cutting badly. Well, I've got you all right, the individual growled in a hoarse voice. Pretty good picking around these diggins, too. Notice the swag I've got here in the table? he bent forward and tore the gag from the black star's mouth talk if you want to he offered black star huh big crook huh who are you the black star asked what do you care i am interested any man who can put me down and out and i suppose you are the one who did it interests me strangely so you think i am the black star i know it i suppose you want to join my organization and are taking this melodramatic way to show me your fitted guess again well what is the idea then i suppose you realize what you are running up against when you tackle the black star i know that all right and i'm not scared

Starting point is 07:55:43 you're not very communicative said the other suppose you untie me now and we'll talk business if it is money you want why untie you when i've got it all right here on the table well what are you going to do give you a surprise came the answer the black star saw the man before him straighten up suddenly his hand went to his hat and the hat came off and with it a black wig and then he smiled and bowed roger verbeck the black star gasped at your service sir crook i said i'd get you and i have but how did you get here so soon i saw you back at the national trust as i was leaving pardon me my dear mr black star you're not very observing are you how many times have you seen me spoken to me half a dozen i suppose but never paid particular attention to me did you i never had a chance particularly as i always saw you under conditions of excitement that was one bad mistake you made you should know me when you meet me face to face i know that all right but you haven't answered my question how did you get here so quick and alone. How did you know where my headquarters was?

Starting point is 07:57:32 Naturally, since I was out to get you, I just discovered that. One of my men turned traitor, I suppose. Indeed, no. I did it all by my own little self, Mr. Black Star. I said six months ago that I could get you, and you dared me to try. You went right ahead with your car. crimes, and you made a fool of me on several occasions. You always prepared for every possible emergency. That was it. You never made a mistake. You went ahead on your thieving way, and I told you that no criminal

Starting point is 07:58:13 could be successful for always, no matter how brainy a man, and that someday you'd make a mistake. You've made one, and now you're going to pay for it. for you're going to jail from here mr black star i'm going to see you in the prisoners dock as i swore i should and i'm going to follow you to the doors of the penitentiary and see them close behind you you have to pay for your career of crime every criminal must pay he may succeed for a time but in the end he pays he can't dodge the law of compensation I'm not in jail yet, Mr. Verbeck. You'll be there soon. I notice you are slipping your foot along the floor. I presume you're looking for the button that throws a trap

Starting point is 07:59:11 and opens a pit beneath where I am standing. Might as well give up. I found that trap several hours ago and wrecked the spring. Oh, I've got you this time, Mr. Black Star. several hours ago i don't understand you made a mistake that's all a bad and a sad mistake suppose you tell me about it in good time verbeck replied i am waiting for some friends of mine mugs and the police and some others you've called the police to hand you over yes how did you escape them to-night i warned them what you are going to do so that's how they discovered it but how could you warn them when i had you abducted and carried here and had you watched every minute of the time until what do you mean explain you made a bad mistake verbeck reiterated

Starting point is 08:00:24 that explains everything ah down the road a siren shrieked verbeck deliberately turned his back on the black star walked through the house and threw open the front door two automobiles splashed through the mud and stopped near the front gate that you verbeck someone called yes come right on in he went back and stood before his prisoner again quick verbeck let me go the black star begged i'll do anything you say let you give them back the stuff save your breath verbeck replied the crowd rushed in from the road the chief and mugs were in the lead and half a dozen officers revolvers in their hands as if they were expecting another battle followed at their heels. They stopped in astonishment when they saw Verbeck. What? What? The chief cried. No questions, Verbeck begged, laughing. Here is the black star, chief, and there is the loot he got tonight, and some jewels he obtained in other robberies. See that you don't let him get away this time.

Starting point is 08:01:50 I got him, as I said I would. and where is ah another man came through the door and stood at verbeck's side every man there except mugs gasped in surprise and mugs only grinned here were two verbecks alike except that one was an inch shorter than the other and slightly thinner in the face here is the explanation gentlemen verbeck said i discovered that the black star was having me shadowed night and day the men who shadowed had to report some time of course i got the idea that if i could get some one to take my place i might shadow the black star's shadow and so find his headquarters when he threatened three weeks ago to abduct me and let me witness his next crime i realized that here was my chance gentlemen allow me to introduce you to my cousin his father and mine married sisters perhaps that is why we look so much alike your cousin the chief gasped he has been living out west i wrote him full details and he came on to help me i smuggled him into my house and let him take my place he went out with mugs visited my fiance in my place went to my clubs a bit only mugs was in the secret for i didn't want to take a chance of having that secret leak out

Starting point is 08:03:35 and i shadowed the shadow waiting for the abduction and to-night it came mr black star i came here in the rear of my own roadster which carried your prisoners i put your watch-dog to sleep and entered this house and i've been here since i overheard your plans and telephoned the police as soon as you had left i wanted to be in at the death of course but knew i could not get back to the city in time and i had a suspicion that you'd escape the police at the last minute as you had so many times before so i remained here waiting for you and when you came i succeeded in making you my prisoner while you were gone i examined the house and found many interesting things in your excitement at planning and carrying out a big crime you made a mistake mr black star you didn't use your eyes didn't observe closely you took my cousin for me that's all and now you must pay oh yes i must decorate you as you have often in the past decorated me he took a bit of paper from his pocket and he pinned it to the black star's breast while the master criminal sputtered his wrath it read mr black star never depend on the eyes of others but use your own because mugs drove a roadster and my cousin looks like me your men took it for granted that my cousin was me and you let it go at that

Starting point is 08:05:26 that was your mistake roger verbeck now chief take your man verbeck concluded and don't let him get away this time and you mugs go out and get the roadster ready we're going home here is the telephone chief if you want to give the glad news to the papers mugs turned toward the door the adventure was over mugs knew he was no longer comrade in arms now he was chauffeur and valet and all-around man to roger verbeck until that young gentleman should feel the call of adventure again the end of chapter thirty six end of the black star by johnston mcculley

Classic Audiobook Collection - The Black Star by Johnston McCulley ~ Full Audiobook [mystery]

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