There was an exclamation at the other end of the wire, and presently the chief spoke.
"Hello! This is the chief!"
"This is the Black Star! Did my new searchlight puzzle you a bit to-night, chief? When you know the secret you'll be more startled than puzzled. Did you wonder where my voice came from, and how I happened to be in the air just over you? Maybe you got the idea that I was putting on a ventriloquist's act."
"We'll get you, you fiend!" the chief cried angrily into the transmitter.
"Why, chief, how violent you sound! I am afraid you are working yourself into a passion."
"You got away with it this time, but you'll not do it again. And you had to lie to do it this time!"
"Indeed? How is that?"
"You used to boast of what you were going to do, and dare us to catch you at it, and you always told the truth in those days. You must be losing your nerve. You said, you crook, that you were going to rob the National Trust—and then you went after the First National."
"Oh, that was just a little job on the side!" the Black Star said. "I told you no falsehood, chief. I said that I would rob the National Trust, and that is exactly what I have done. I am speaking from the vault room of the National Trust this very minute. I have just removed several bags of gold coins!"
"What's that?" the chief cried.
"I am leaving a letter here in the vault room for you, chief, and have just mailed another to a certain newspaper. You'd better come right over here and get your letter, chief. And thanks so much for rush-
