you!" the chief said. "So you're going to pull off some sort of a stunt to-night, are you?"
"I am. Inaction bores me, chief. My men are eager to get to work again. They take great pleasure in helping outwit the stupid men on your force."
"We'll see who'll do the final outwitting!" the chief cried. "I'm going to"
"Going to get me, I think you said before. Sorry to dispute you, chief, but I can't agree. How do you expect to accomplish it?"
"Tell me one thing," said the chief. "How did you get off that roof, and where did you go?"
"Sorry, but that is a sort of state secret for the present," the Black Star replied.
"Well, if you didn't go down one of the fire escapes, write a letter to the newspapers and say so. They're swearing that you walked right out of that building before our noses."
"All right, chief, I'll inform the papers that I did nothing of the kind. But I'll not explain at this time just what I did do. You see, I might want to do it again soon."
"If you are so blamed sure of your ability, why not tell me what you are going to do to-night?"
"Gladly chief. I am going to collect some jewels and some objects of art."
"Oh, are you?" asked the chief. "Going to collect them in any particular spot?"
"Naturally; but I do not intend to tell you the spot just now. That would be running too much of a risk, I am afraid. By the way, is Mr. Verbeck there?"
"He is!"
"I haven't time to speak to him, but will you
