The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1913-11-20
CHAPTER I.
Tho Owner Of New York.

Tho Owner Of New York.
Percy barrow, young man OF scien-
the training, indolent manners. effem-
mate appearance. hidden energy. and
absolute courage. lounged through the
doors OF the Atlas Building. Since
his rescue from the volcanic island
that had witnessed the piratieal muir
der OF his old employer, Doctor Scher-
merhorn. the spectacular dissolution
OF the murderers, and his own impris-
onment In a cave beneath the very
roar OF an eruption, he had been nurs-
Ing his shattered nerves back to their
normal strength. Now he felt that at
last he was able to go to work again.
Therefore, he was about to approach
man OF influence among practical
scientists. from whom he hoped fur
Their occupation.
AS the express elevator shot upward,
he passed a long slender hand across
his eyes. The rapid motion confused
him still. The car stopped, and the
metallic gates changed open. barrow
obediently stepped forth. Only when
the elevator had disappeared did his
upward glance bring to him the knowl-
edge that he had disembarked one
floor too soon.
Darrow's eye fell on n lettered sign
outside the nearest door Ee smiled
slow red-lipped smile beneath his
small silky mustache. dropped his
black eyelashes in flicker OF reminis-
cence, hesitated moment, then step
ped languidly forward and opened the
door. The sign indicated the head
quarters Of the very modest commits
sionership behind which Mccarthy
chose to work. Mccarthy. quite sim
ply. at that time owned New York
AS barrow entered. Mccarthy hung
up the telephone receiver with n
smash, and sat glazing at the instru-
ment After a moment he turned his
small bright eyes toward the new
conner.
Hello. Perc." he growled Didn't
see you. Say, I'm so mad my skin
cracks. Just now some measly little
shrimp called me up from a public
booth. What ye suppose he wanted,
now? oh, nothin'! Just told me in
so many words for me to pack up my
little trunk and sail for Europe and
never come back That's all! He
give me until Sunday, too" Mccarthy
barked out a short laugh, and reached
for cigarbox. which he held out to
barrow.
Percy shook his head. so he wants
you to go to Europe?"
Wants me? Orders mel Says
got to-" Mccarthy laughed. Lovely
thought"
He pulled out a cloud OF smoke.
Says II / don't obey orders he'll
send me n sign TO convince mel"
went on the boss. Hes got mean
voice. He ought to have a tag hung
on him and get carried to the morgue.
He give me the shivers, like dead
man. I never hear such a enholy
thing outside a graveyard at mid
night"
Percy Darrow was surveying him
with leisurely amusement, a slight
smile playing over his narrow dark
face.
His Sign he promised is apt to be
bomb" observed barrow.
Hes nutty, all right" Mccarthy
agreed but when he said that, he
was doing the tall religious. He's got
bug that way"
Your affair" said Darrow. Just
the same. I'd have an outer Office"
outer offics-rot!" said the boss.
IAN outer Office just gets cluttered up
with people waiting. Here they've got
to say right out in meeting-if want
EN- to. What's the good word, Perc?
What can do for your"
Darrow smiled. you know very
well. my fat friend. that the only rea-
son you Ike me at all is that I'm the
one and only man who comes into
this Office who doesn't want one sin
gle thing OF you"
II suppose that's It," agreed Nc
Carthy. The telephone rang He
snatched down the receiver, listened a
moment, and thrust forward his heavy
jowl. Not on your liie!" he growled
In answer to some question. While
he was still occupied with the receiver.
Percy Darrow nodded and sauntered
out