The Washington times., 1912-09-22

The last of the FIVE blocks he covered
at a literal gallop: when he pulled up
sharply before the big arched doorway
I've was painting hard, as much from
anxiety as from the eXertion, for the
nearer that he had approach his mys-
terry, the more sinister its aspect had
seemed to become.
He was morally certain nov, that
something had gone wrong. and his agl.
tated fingers fumbled long and fruit
lessy before the door would open.
In the dim light Of the lower corridor
he drew a long breath and listened.
Steps were coming down the stairs. He
ran forward. rather expecting to con-
from the person responsible for his
agitation.
1t was, however, Parker. The watch
man opened his eyes triie al the sight
Of his employer
Back again, sir?'
Parker, when were you on the ninth
fioor-I mean on the last trip"
Why" the watchman glanced at his
clock-"it was 1922 when l passed your
door"
Passed it? Didn't you go in?'
Not this trip, sir; or rather only
to reach in and press the button, you
know"
Grafton frowned.
Twelve twenty-five, eh? You're GER
tin of that. Parker"
"Of course / am. sir There's the
punch on the dial of the clock"
And what have you been doing since
them"
A trHe of acidity found its way into
the watchmans voice. He was really a
man of extreme care. and there seemed
to be san INDEFINITE sort of insinuation in
Grafton's questions.
why. Mr.. Grafton" he asked.
Grafton loked squarely at him.
See here. Parker. 1t is now just
about ten minutes to | o clock. At
quarter of one-just about Ave minutes
ago-you were not in my private office,
were you?"
Your private office. Mr.. Grafton?''
gasDed Parker.
"Oh, I'm not accusing YOU of any
| thing-don't think Of that All ] want
Is positive information. Were you?"
Certainly not. sir. AT quarter to one
| pushed the indicator in room POI"
"Ah! The second floor, then, just as
had figured"
But"
We'll. while you were on the second
or third loor, say any time in the last
five or siA minutes, did you hear any
| signs of anyone in the building?'
"OnIy when you went out. two OF
three minutes ago. Mr.. Grafton
When I went out?'
why, yes sir 1t cant be more than
that since YOU went down in the ele-
vator and out by this very door, can
| it,
You're sure some one went out, are
you?'
| Certainly. I'm sure"
| Grafton moistened his lips
| Then 1t may interest you to know
Parker that left here just about halt
an hour ago-when you were on thu
tenth floor, In fact.
| "But-Mr. Grafton
| "And whoever II was that left here
when you last heard the door close-yes
| It must have been the man
| Man. sir? What man.
| Parker's interest was becoming mos
keen. and his perpleXity was very eVi
dent.
| Graf perceived the latter, and rea
| lized that in the mental whtrl that had
! taken possession of him he was becOm
ing rather incoherent
| II don't know that we can blame YOU,
lhe said. Logically, ! suppose that W.
should have AT least two men in here
might But, however that be. within the
past half-hour my office has heen Ell
tered by some one who had no business
in there"
| Your private office, SIR"
| My private office, and the visito
turned on the lights In full. Had | no
seen them down the street no on
would have known OF It until morning.
| But let us go up, sir. and -
| Hold on. ] want to know one or tWi
things hTst. | suppose that there is NJ
need Of my asking whether you hear
anything in the way Of an explosion
snythinE that would seem % hint a
lsafe-crs Cking?'
IF had, Id have been investigsttnl