The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-03-01

(co~tissed /yom yssfsyIey)
Bruce looked at the writing for a
moment. Then, while the janitress's
back was turned, he slipped the pho
tograph into his pocket.
On the front stoop, Bruce thanked
the woman for her assistance, and
looked at his watch. 1t was five
! o'clock. He jumped into a passing
/ trolley car and ten minutes later; en-
tered the livery stable OF O'Brien &
! Dorian.
The place was swarming with re-
/ porters; but, much to Bruces relief.
Connors was not among them. In
fact, he only knew they were news
| paper men by instinct. He did not
remember to have seen any Of them
| before.
/ As he entered, he found the center
Of the stable occupied by Michael Nc
| Ginnis, the head stableman. The lat
ter, indeed, was in none too good
humor and, as Bruce approached, Nc
! Ginnis turned scowling red face
upon him.
| See here, young buckle" he burst
| out, his red hair bristling with indig-
| nation. Don't yer begin asking me
| the history OF me life. l nivir seen
/ i
| to clap eyes on him agin; he didn't
leave any muss in the wagon, and
| that's all. Yours truly, Mike McGin-
/ mis-"
Bruce saw that his fiery friend would
need hery treatment
didn't come to poster you with
| questions, Mr.. McGinnis," he began,
soothingly. You've summed up the
case completely yourself Bruce was
| aware that several of the strange re-
1 porters had strolled up behind him and
! were now well within earshot. All
I want" he continued, with wink at
the brawny Irishmen, is a runabout
for an hour or SO and someone to drive
me around. I'm in the reaLestate
business IN Chicago, and don't know
the lay Of the land out here worth a
cent"
Bruce knew instinctiyely that the re-
1 porters behind him were exchanging
dubious glances.
i WE'LL" said McGinnis, slowly. with
puzzled expression, I'll let yer have
runabout and good, reliable man
at the usual rates. two dollars an hour.
4 Here. lawn. hitch up the green run
i about and show our frind the sights of
the town"
Bruce frowned at the disappearing
Jawn," who was already among the
stalls. and then turned again to Nc
Ginnis.
want better, more intelligent
man than that, Mr.. McGinnis," he re-
marked. Someone about your stamp.
Can't you give me an hour or SO Of
i your time?"
McGinnis saw another wink slowly
materialize out Of nothing and vanish
!. again. Then the puzzled expression
on his own face gradually faded away
also.
NY times valuable, young fsller,"
he said, meaningly
The young man smilad.
am accustomed to paying well for
the assistance of valuable men," he
said, with an important air. " What is
: your fgure?"
I McGinnis took of his hat and
scratched his head.
Well" he said at last, al think
about five dollars an hour will hit 1t
about right
You're on" said Bruce, briskly.
AS he turned away, he caught some
disjointed fragments OF whispered
conversation behind him.
He is, tell you. | saw him when
was on that kidnapping case"
Well, what shall"
Bruce walked over from the doorway
and stepped into the green runabout.
McGinnis swung up beside him, and
they rolled down the street.
What's your paper. lad?" McGinnis
asked, his eyes dancing.
81 Bruce told him.
+, At half-past five the green runabout
drew up at the button factory in Long
Island City and Bruce and McGinnis
were ushered into the superintend-
: ents Office. Bruce briefly explained
the identity Of his companion and then
: pointed to thu large photograph on the
wall.
, See if you see our friend there
McGinnis," said he.
The Irishman stepped up to the pic
lture, looked at 1t for moment. and
then laid big thumb on the figure
: of man at the left end of the front
t row.
That's him" he said, with an air
!. of complete conviction. That's his
,mustache all right"
The superintendent looked at the
man indicated and whistled. Then he
reversed the frame and glanced at the
, key on the back.
2 Yes, thought so.' he said.
J He adjusted the picture In its proper
, position and studied the group again
;, Then he turned and faced the two ex
cited men before him.
!, Did you find Joyce!" he asked
i abruptly.
] No" replied Bruce. II didn't
S He left his flat-house at seven O'Clock
. last night and hasn't been seen since 9
The superintendent stroked his iron
gray beard.
1T doesn't necessarily prove any
: thing" he said, at last. The fact
/ that that man whom Mr.. McGinnis has
2 just pointed out--the fact that he