The Mystery of the Secret Band Page 10

  CHAPTER X _In the Dead of Night_

  "How about a movie?" suggested Max, as the young couple left the hoteldining room.

  "Oh no, Max," replied Mary Louise. "No, thanks. I have to work now. I'mgoing to stay right here."

  "In the hotel? Doing what?"

  "Some investigating."

  "You think that young man is guilty? He looked honest to me."

  "No, I don't believe he's guilty. I--I'll explain later, Max, if anythingcomes of my investigations.... Now, run along and do something withoutme."

  "Can I see you tonight?"

  "I could probably go to an early show with you after dinner. I'm notsure, so don't stay in Philadelphia just on account of that. I mean, ifyou want to start back home."

  "I'm going to start home at daylight tomorrow, morning," replied theyoung man. "So I'll surely be around tonight. At Stoddard House soonafter seven."

  "All right, I'll see you then. And thanks for a lovely lunch, Max. It'sbeen wonderful."

  The young man departed, and Mary Louise hunted a desk in one of thesmaller rooms of the Bellevue--set aside for writing. She placed a sheetof paper in front of her and took up a pen, as if she were writing aletter. But what she really wanted to do was to think.

  "I was wrong twice," she reasoned. "First in suspecting Miss Stoddard,then in believing Miss Weinberger guilty. I'll go more carefully thistime.

  "If my very first guess was right--that the transient guests werestealing the valuables from Stoddard House--I must begin all over again.Mrs. Hilliard said there were two girls staying at the hotel for a day orso when the silverware and the vase were stolen.... Are these girls inleague with Mary Green and Pauline Brooks? Are they all members of asecret band of thieves? That's the first question I have to answer."

  She frowned and opened her notebook. Why hadn't she gotten the names ofthose girls from Mrs. Hilliard's old register?

  The second crime--the stealing of the watches--she could pin on MaryGreen, alias "Blondie Jackson."

  Now for the last three robberies. They had all taken place while PaulineBrooks was at Stoddard House!

  Mary Louise considered them separately. Pauline could have stolen MissGranger's money and her picture, but it was a man who entered MaryLouise's bedroom on Friday night and who took her watch and her money.Was one of those young men whom Pauline was dining with today anaccomplice? If so, how did he escape from the hotel? Out of Pauline'swindow?

  Finally, she thought over the circumstances of Mrs. Macgregor's robbery,and she almost laughed out loud at her own stupidity. Pauline had lefther own room as soon as the maid came in to clean it; she had slippedinto Mrs. Macgregor's room and stolen the bag containing the valuablesand had left the hotel immediately, before Mrs. Macgregor came out of herbath. Why hadn't she thought of that explanation before?

  The solution seemed logical and plausible, yet how, Mary Louise askedherself, could she prove her accusations? None of these girls had beencaught in the act; probably none of them still possessed the stolenarticles, and the money had not been marked in any way or the serialnumbers taken.

  This fact was dreadfully discouraging. If Mary Louise could not prove thegirls' guilt, she could do nothing about it. She couldn't even assureMrs. Hilliard that there would be no more robberies at Stoddard House,because she could not know how many members of this gang there were, andthe manager could not suspect every transient guest who came to thehotel.

  No, she concluded, there was nothing to do but try to catch them in a newcrime. If they really made it their business to rob hotels, they wouldprobably carry out some plan here at the Bellevue tonight. Mary Louise'sonly course was to watch them.

  With this determination in mind, she went to the clerk's desk in thelobby.

  "Could I see the manager?" she inquired.

  The man looked at her quizzingly, wondering whether Mary Louise was apatron of the hotel or a society girl who wanted to collect money forsomething.

  "Are you a guest at the hotel, miss?" he asked. "Or have you anappointment?"

  "No to both questions," she replied. "But I am a private detective, and Iwant to consult him about something."

  "O.K.," agreed the clerk. "What name, please?"

  "Mary Louise Gay."

  The clerk reached for the telephone, and in another minute he told MaryLouise where to find the manager's office. She followed his directionsand walked in bravely, hoping that the man would not think she wasdreadfully young.

  "I am staying at a small hotel for women called Stoddard House," shebegan, "to investigate a series of robberies which they have had there.The Philadelphia police have my name, and if you wish to identify me,please call Mr. LeStrange."

  "I will take your word for it, Miss Gay," replied the man, smiling.

  "These robberies have always occurred when there was a transient guest atthe hotel," she explained. "The last series, while I was at the place,led me to suspect a certain girl; the series before that led other peopleto suspect another girl. I find these two girls are living here now atthe Bellevue--they seem to go from one hotel to another, for they were atthe Ritz only last Saturday. They evidently use different names. I shouldlike to meet your hotel detective, explain the case to him, and getpermission to watch these two young women."

  The manager did not appear as surprised as Mary Louise expected him tobe. But she could not know how common hotel robberies were at the presenttime.

  "I will send for our detective," he said. "You have my permission to goahead--under his orders, of course."

  "Oh, thank you!" cried Mary Louise, delighted that so far it had beeneasy.

  The manager sent for the detective, a nice-looking man of about thirty.He introduced him as Mr. Hayden, and repeated Mary Louise's story.

  "What would your plan be, Miss Gay?" asked the detective. He treated herrespectfully, as if she were indeed a real member of the profession, andMary Louise felt proud and happy.

  "First of all, I want to find these girls' names on the hotel registerand see what names they are using. Then I want, if possible, to engage aroom near theirs and listen for them all night. And third, I want you, orone of your assistants, Mr. Hayden, to be right there in readiness, incase they do anything tonight."

  "You haven't evidence enough to convict them of the robberies at StoddardHouse?" asked Mr. Hayden.

  "Oh no. I may be entirely mistaken. It is only a clue I am going on. ButI believe it is worth following up."

  "What do you say, Hayden?" inquired the manager.

  "I'm glad to help," replied the younger man. "I'll be on duty tonight,anyhow, and I'd enjoy the investigation. Nothing is lost, even if nothingdoes happen."

  "Then let's go have a look at the register," suggested Mary Louise.

  "Better send for it," said the detective. "Arouse no suspicions."

  The book was brought to them, and Mary Louise looked carefully for thenames of Pauline Brooks and Mary Green. But she did not find them. Shedid, however, find the name of Mary Jackson, and with it a name ofCatherine Smith, both of whom had arrived that day and engaged a roomtogether on the sixth floor.

  "Those must be the girls," she concluded. "Room 607. What's the nearestroom you can give me?"

  The manager looked in his records.

  "609 is moving out tonight. Would that be time enough--or do you want itnow?"

  "No, that's plenty of time. And another thing, can you tell me where Mrs.Weinberger's room is? I met her at Stoddard House, and she would be asort of chaperon for me."

  "Her room is on the tenth floor," was the reply: "1026."

  "Thanks. Then put me down for 609, and I'll phone Mrs. Weinberger thisafternoon. I'll come back early this evening, and I'll ask Mrs.Weinberger to meet me in one of the reception rooms. Then, could you comethere too, Mr. Hayden?"

  The man nodded, smiling. How correct this girl was about everything!

  "Then I believe it's all arranged," said Mary Louise, rising. "I'll goback to
Stoddard House. And if you have a chance, Mr. Hayden, will youkeep your eye on these girls we're suspecting?"

  "But I don't know them," he reminded her.

  "I'd forgotten that! Well, let me describe them. Maybe if you visit thesixth floor, you will see them go in and out."

  She went on to tell him that Pauline Brooks--or Catherine Smith, as shecalled herself here--was a striking brunette, and that her companion,Mary Green--or Mary Jackson--was noticeably blond; that both girls wereshort and slender and wore fur coats and expensive jewelry; that bothwere as little like the typical sneak thieves as could possibly beimagined.

  As Mary Louise walked along the street she decided not to tell Mrs.Hilliard any of the details of her plans or who the girls were that shewas watching. If nothing came of her theory, she would feel foolish athaving failed the third time. Besides, it wasn't fair to the girls tospread suspicion about them until she had proved them guilty.

  She stopped at a jewelry store and purchased a small, cheap watch, whichshe put into her handbag. Then she went back to the hotel.

  Immediately upon her arrival at Stoddard House she called Mrs. Weinbergeron the telephone; then, assured of her cooperation, she went to Mrs.Hilliard's office.

  "I have decided to spend the night at the Bellevue," she said. "Mrs.Weinberger is going to be my chaperon."

  The manager looked doubtful. "But I promised your father I'd keep youright here with me," she objected.

  "I know, but this is important. I think I'm on the track of a discovery.And Mrs. Weinberger has promised to look after me."

  "Does she know that you suspect her daughter, Mary Louise?"

  "No, because I don't suspect her any longer. Or her new husband either.My clues point in another direction. This time I'm not going to sayanything about them till I find out how they work out."

  "I suppose it will be all right, then," agreed Mrs. Hilliardreluctantly.... "What are your immediate plans, dear?"

  "I'm going to sleep now till six o'clock, because it's possible I may beawake most of the night. I'll have my dinner here with you then, or withthe Walder girls, and after that I'm going to a show with Max. Aboutnine-thirty I'll get to the Bellevue--Mrs. Weinberger is going to wait upfor me and go to my room with me."

  "I'm afraid something may happen to you!" protested the good woman.

  Mary Louise laughed.

  "Mrs. Hilliard, you aren't a bit like an employer to the detective shehas hired. Instead, you treat me like a daughter. And you mustn't. Ishan't be a bit of use to you if you don't help me go ahead and workhard."

  "I suppose you're right, Mary Louise," sighed Mrs. Hilliard. "But I hadno idea what a lovable child you were when I told your father I didn'tmind hiring anybody so young as long as she got results."

  "I only hope I do!" exclaimed Mary Louise fervently.

  She went to her own room, packed only her toilet articles in herhandbag--for she had no intention of going to bed that night--and laydown for her nap. It was dark when she awakened.

  Dressing hurriedly, and taking her hat and coat with her, she met theWalder girls in the lobby and accepted their invitation to eat dinnerwith them. Immediately afterwards Max arrived at the hotel, and the youngcouple went directly to a movie.

  When it was over, the young man suggested that they go somewhere to eatand dance.

  Mary Louise shook her head.

  "I'm sorry, Max--I'd like to, but I can't. This is all I can be with youtonight. I want you to take me to the Bellevue now. I'm spending thenight there."

  "What in thunder are you doing that for?" he stormed.

  "Please calm down, Max!" she begged. "It's perfectly all right: Mrs.Weinberger is going to meet me and look after me. But I'd rather youdidn't say anything about it to Mother--I can explain better when I gethome."

  "Still, I don't like it," he muttered.

  Nevertheless, he took her to the hotel and waited with her until Mrs.Weinberger came downstairs.

  "Don't forget to be back home for the dance a week from tonight, MaryLou!" he said at parting.

  Mary Louise turned to Mrs. Weinberger.

  "Have you seen the girls--Pauline Brooks and Mary Green?" she asked. Shehad explained over the telephone why she wanted to stay at the Bellevue.

  "No, I haven't," replied the older woman. "But then, I have been in myown room."

  "How late do you expect to stay up tonight, Mrs. Weinberger?"

  "Till about eleven, I suppose."

  "Will you bring your knitting or your magazine to my room till you'reready to go to bed?"

  "Certainly--I'll be glad to have your company, my dear."

  Mr. Hayden, the hotel detective, stepped out of the elevator and came tojoin them.

  "There's a sitting room on the sixth floor," he said. "Suppose I go thereabout midnight, Miss Gay? I'm going to have a nap now, but my assistantis in charge, and if you need him, notify the desk, and he'll be with youimmediately. Is that O.K.?"

  "Perfectly satisfactory," agreed Mary Louise.

  Taking the key to her room, she and Mrs. Weinberger went up together.

  Pauline's room was apparently dark, but Mary Louise left her own dooropen so that Mrs. Weinberger could watch for the girls. She herself tookup a position where she could not be seen from the doorway. She turned onthe room radio, and a couple of hours passed pleasantly.

  At eleven o'clock Mrs. Weinberger decided to go to her own room and go tobed. When she had gone, Mary Louise turned off the light and the radioand closed her door. Pulling a comfortable chair close beside thekeyhole, she sat down to wait and to listen for Pauline's and Mary'sreturn.

  The elevators clicked more frequently as midnight approached; more andmore guests returned to their rooms. Mary Louise watched them all untilshe saw Pauline Brooks and Mary Green come along the passageway. Theywere in high spirits, laughing and talking noisily without any regard forthe sleepers in the hotel. Even through the thick walls, Mary Louisecould hear them as they prepared for bed.

  But in half an hour all was quiet. Both girls were asleep, no doubt--andMary Louise believed that she had had all her trouble for nothing. Shesighed and dozed in her chair.

  However, she was not used to sleeping sitting up, and every little noisein the hall aroused her attention. She heard a man come along at twoo'clock, and another at half-past. And a little after three sheidentified the muffled sound of the door of the next room opening!

  Leaning forward tensely, she glued her eye to the keyhole. Two young menemerged from the girls' room and staggered about unsteadily, as if theywere drunk. Two very small men, who somehow looked more like masqueradersthan real men, although they were correctly dressed, except for the factthat they wore their caps instead of hats and had not taken them off inthe hotel.

  In spite of their apparently intoxicated condition they walked silentlyacross the hall to room 614. Very cautiously one of them took a key fromhis pocket, and after a moment or two, he opened the door. Both young menentered the room, but Mary Louise saw that they did not turn on the lightas they went in.

  "There's something queer about that," she thought. And then sheremembered the burglar who had entered her own room at Stoddard House andhad stolen her watch. He was very like these young men--short and slightand wore a cap. Perhaps these were Pauline's accomplices!

  Cautiously she moved her chair aside and slipped out of her room. Inanother moment she had reached the sitting room where Mr. Hayden, thedetective, was dozing over a newspaper.

  "Come with me!" she said briefly, leading him to room 614. "I saw twoyoung men enter this room a couple of minutes ago."

  The detective knocked gently on the door. There was no reply. He knockedagain.

  The startled voice of a man called out, "What do you want?"

  "I'm the hotel detective," answered Mr. Hayden. "I'm sorry to disturbyou, but please open the door."

  A light flashed on in the room, and an elderly man, now clad in hisdressing gown, admitted Mary Louise and Mr. Hayden.

  "This youn
g lady thinks she saw two young men come in here five minutesago," explained the latter. "Were you asleep, sir?"

  "Yes," was the reply. "Your knock waked me up."

  "Then, if you don't mind, we'll search the room. Have you anythingvaluable here?"

  "I certainly have! A wallet with five hundred dollars, and a set ofdiamond shirt studs."

  Mr. Hayden went straight to the closet and turned on the light. Femininegiggles greeted his action.

  "Don' be mad at us, mishter!" pleaded a girl's voice. "We jus' had aleetle too mush likker, and we wanted to get some shirt studs for ourcostumes. We're goin' to a nish party, dreshed up like men!"

  Mr. Hayden smiled and pulled out the two "young men" from the closet. Ashe snatched off their caps, Mary Louise recognized them instantly.Pauline Brooks and Mary Green!

  "Pauline!" she cried.

  "Emmy Lou!" In her surprise, Pauline forgot to act drunk. But the nextmoment she remembered.

  "Pleash let us go, mishter," she pleaded, taking hold of Mr. Hayden'scoat collar. "Was only jus' a prank----"

  "Prank nothing!" cried Mary Louise. "And these girls aren't intoxicated,either, Mr. Hayden."

  "No, I don't believe they are," agreed the detective. He turned to theowner of the room. "Suppose you check up on your valuables, sir, while Icall the police."

  "You're not going to send us to jail!" protested Pauline, in a perfectlynormal tone. "But we haven't stolen anything."

  "You stole plenty at Stoddard House," Mary Louise couldn't help saying.

  Pauline regarded her accuser with hatred in her eyes.

  "So you're the one who's responsible for this!" she hissed. "Nasty littlerat! And I thought you were a friend of mine!"

  Mary Louise laughed.

  "I'll be a friend when you and your gang give back all the stolenarticles and money," she replied.

  The elderly man who lived in the room interrupted them.

  "Two studs are missing," he announced. "I found the wallet with my moneyin it on the floor. Yet it was carefully put away last night."

  "Take off your shoes, Pauline!" ordered Mary Louise. "That's the place tofind missing diamonds."

  The girl had to obey, and the studs fell out on the floor.

  "It's enough," concluded Mr. Hayden. "Here comes my assistant. You girlswill come with us till the police arrive."

  "Not in these clothes!" objected Mary Green.

  "Yes, just as you are." He turned to the man. "And now, good-night, sir."

  "Good-night, and thank you a thousand times!" was the reply.

  "Thank Miss Gay," amended Mr. Hayden. "It was her work."

  Tired but satisfied, Mary Louise went back to her own room, and, removingonly her shoes and her dress, she slept soundly for the rest of thenight.