“This place, which is under observation, is one which has brought tragedy to many.  Young women attracted by the treacherous lure of the spinning roulette wheel or the fascination of the shuffle of cards have squandered away their own and their husband’s money with often tragic results, and many of them have gone even further into the moral quagmire in the hope of earning enough money to pay their losses and keep from their families the knowledge of their gambling.

“This situation, one of the high lights in the city of lights and shadows, has been evolved, according to the official informant, through the countless number of gambling resorts that have gained existence in the most fashionable parts of the city.

“The record of crime of the clever and astute individual already mentioned is being minutely investigated, and, it is said, shows some of the most astounding facts.  It runs even to murder, which was accomplished in getting rid of an informer recently in the pay of the police.

“Against those conducting the crusade every engine of the underworld has been used.  The fight has been carried on bitterly, and within less than twenty-four hours arrests are promised as a result of confessions already in the hands of the authorities and being secretly and widely investigated by them before the final blow is delivered simultaneously, both in the city and in a town up-state where the criminal believes himself unknown and secure.”

There was more of the stuff, which I do not quote, describing the situation in detail and in general terms which could all have only one meaning to a person acquainted with the particular case with which we were dealing.  It threw a scare, in type, as hard as could be done.  I fancied that when it was read by the proper person he would be amazed that so much had, apparently, become known to the newspapers, and would begin to wonder how much more was known that was not printed.

“That ought to make someone sit up and take notice,” remarked Garrick with some satisfaction, as he corrected the typewritten copy late in the afternoon.  “The printing of that will take some time and I don’t suppose we shall get copies until pretty late.  You can take it over to the Star, Tom, and complete the arrangements.  I have a little more work to do before we go up there on Ninth Street.  Suppose you meet me at eight in Washington Square, near the Arch?”

CHAPTER XVIII

THE VOCAPHONE

Promptly to the dot I met Garrick at the appointed place.  Not a word so far had been heard, either from Violet Winslow or Mrs. de Lancey.  There was one thing encouraging about it, however.  If they had become separated while shopping, as sometimes happens, we should have been likely to hear of it, at least from her aunt.

Garrick was tugging the heavy suitcase which I had seen standing ready down in his office during the afternoon, as well as a small package wrapped up in paper.