Arizona republican., 1911-02-27


 On the front stoop, Bruce thanked
 the woman for her assistance. and
 looked at his watch. It was five o'clock. He jumped into a passing trolley car and. ter minutes later. en
 tered the livery stabie of OBrien & | Dorian.
 The place was sxarming with re ! porters; but. much to Bruces relief l Connors was not among them In i fact. he only knew Ihey were news paper men by Instinct. He did not remember to have seen any of them | before.
 AS he entered. be found the center | of the stable occupied by Michael Mo Ginnis, the head s'ableman. The lat | ter. indeed, was in none too good humor and. as Bruce approached. Me Ginnis turned scowling red face upon him.
 See here young bucko," he burst out, his red hair bristiing with indig- nation. Don't yer begin asking me the history of me life I nivir seen the young feiler before; I nivir expect 10 clap eyes on him agin: he didn't leave any muss in the wagon. and that's all. Yours truly, Mike McGin- his"
 Bruce saw that his fiery friend would need fiery treatment.
 didn't come 10 poster you with questions, Mir. McGlnnis." he began, soothingly. "Yor've summed Up the case completely yourself" Bruce was aware that severel os the strange re- porters had strolleG up behind him and were now well within earshOt. Al I want" he continue1, with a wink at the brawny Irishmen, is a runaboUt for an hour or SO and someone t0 drive me around. I'm in the real-estate business in Chicago. and I don; know the lay of the land out here worth a cent"
 Bruce knew instinctively that the re. porters behinds him were exchanging dubious glances.
 We'll" said McGinnis slowly. with a puzzled expression. I'll ie. yer have a runabOut and a good. reliable man at the usual rates. two dollars au hour. Here, lawn, hitch up the green run about and show our frind the sights of the town"
 Bruce drowned at the disappearing " lawn" who was already among the stalls. and then turned again to Nc Ginnis.
 want a better, more intelligent man than that, MT. McGinnis." he re- marked. Someone about your stamp. Cant you give me an hour or so of 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
 My times valuable. young feller," he said. meaningiy.
 The young man smiled.
 am accustomed to paying well for the assistance of valuable men" hs said. with an important air. What is your f1gure?"
 McGinnis took off his hat and scratched his head.
 We'll" he said at last, "I think about five dollars an hOr- viii hit 1t about right
 You're Ou," said Bruce. briskly.
 As he turned away, he caught some disjointed fragments of whispered behind him.
 He is. tel! you. I saw him when I 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 tbe street.
 Whats your paper. lad?" McGinnis 1 asked. his eyes dancing.
 Bruce told him.
 At half-past five the green runabout |, drew up at the button factory in Long l Island City and Bruce and McGinnis 1 were ushered into the superintend- [ ent's office Bruce briefly explained | the identity of his companion and then pointed to the large photograph on the wall
 See if you see our friend there, said he.
 The Irishman stepped up to the p;c. ture, looked at it for a moment. and then laid a big thumb on the figure of a man at the left end of the front row.
 That's him." he said, with an air of complete conviction. That's h.. all right
 The superintendent looked a. the man indicated and whistieG. Thsn he TtNtIStN lut u allie anu blduScu al tne ' key on the back.
 "Yes, I thought so." he said.
 He adjusted ths picture !n its proper position and studied the group again Then he turned and faced the two ep ,ited men before him.
 Did you find Joyce7" ke asked abruptly.
 No" replied Brucs. "I didn't He left his fat-hOuse at seven o'clock ast night and hasn't been seen since The superintendent stroked his iron sray beard.
 It doesn't necessarily proye any. hing" he said. at last The fact hat that man whom MT. McGinnis has ust pointed out-the fact that he lired a rig last night doesn't neces arily connect him in any way with hat body. does it now?"
 Bruce shook h.s head.
 And yet" added the speaker. What?" broke in Bruce.
 There's O1e curious thing about hat group" continued the superin. endent.
 Bruce and McGinnis stared hard at Il he photograph and then looked in- at the speaker. The curious thing. to my mind" aid the superintendent. is the posi-. ion of a certain girl ip that big group \ f more than three hundred people. naLr af fbat fp M