Howard R. Garis

“ Once he had established this fact to his satisfaction, Larry's mind worked quickly. That there was some connection between the blue-handed man's operations, the safe-robbery, and the theft of the deed, Larry had no doubt.
“Things are getting into a strange mix-up,” thought the young reporter. “As soon as I think I am on the track of one part of the mystery it gets all tangled up with another part. I would like to catch that blue-handed man. Then, I believe, I would have one of the safe-robbers, I might get the deed back, and learn what is behind this land matter. It might make us wealthy. ”

“ If you can fool them, so much the better. They must be desperate, or they would not venture to take the deed. To make any use of it they must forge signatures, and that is a risky proceeding.
“I am beginning to see what they are up to. I heard a rumor the other day of a plan that will enormously increase real estate values up in the Bronx section. It may be that the gang is behind this. Now while they have an advantage over you in that they have the deed, there is a certain element of risk in it for them. Deeds are bad things to monkey with.”
“What do you think they'll do?” asked Larry. ”

“ Newton what had happened, and ask his advice.
“Now what would you do?” asked Larry, when he had finally told the older reporter about the fire.
“I wouldn't do anything,” replied Mr. Newton. “That is, right away. If you go to the police, which is the most natural thing to do, in case of a robbery, these men—for I am sure now that there is a gang of them—will know it very shortly. In some mysterious way the thieves learn what the police know almost as soon as the authorities find things out themselves. ”