The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-05-25
CHAPTER I.
The Owner of New York.


nERCY BARROW, a young man
of scientific training, indolent
manners, effeminate appearance,
hidden energy. and absolute courage,
lounged through the doors of the At
las Building. Since his rescue from
the volcanic island that had witnessed
the piratical murder of his old en-
ployer. DR.. Schermerhorn, the spec
tacular dissolution OF the murderers,
and his own imprisonment in a cave
beneath the very roar of an eruption,
he had been nursing his shattered
nerves back to their normal strength.
Now he felt that at last he was able
to 60 to work again. Therefore, he
was about to approach a man of in
fuence among practical scientists,
from whom he hoped further occupa-
ton.
As the express elevator shot up
ward. he passed a long slender hand
across his eyes. The rapid motion
confused him still The car stopped,
and the metallic gates changed open.
Darrow obediently stepped forth. Only
when the elevator had disappeared did
his upward glance bring to him the
knowledge that he had disembarked
one floor too soon.
Darrow's eye fell on a iettered sign
outside the nearest door. He smiled
a slow red-lipped smile beneath his
small silky mustache, dropped his
black eyclashes in flicker of reminis-
cence, hesitated moment, then
stepped 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, al that time owned New York.
As\Darrow entered, Mccarthy hung
up the telephone receiver with a
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 public
booth. What We 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 the cigar box. which he held out
to DaIrow.
Percy shook his head. Whats the
oocasion:" he asked.
oh. | don't know. Just bughouse,
| guess"
so he wants you to go TO Europe:"
Wants nc? Orders me. SAYS |
got to" Mccarthy laughed. Lovely
thought
He pulled out cloud OF smoke.
Saws If | don't obey orders he'll
send me sign TO convince me-"
went on the boss. He's got a mean
voice. He ought to have tag hung
on him and get carried to the morgue
He give me the shivers. like a dead
man never hear such a unholy
thing outside a graveyard at mid
night.
Percy barrow was surveying him
with leisurely amusement. slight
smile playing over his narrow dark
face |
Talking 10 get back your nerve" !
he surmi,ed chcerfully to the usually
taciturn boss. I'D like TO know what
1t was got you going so; it isn't much !
your style" !
Well you go, yours with YOU"
growled Mccarthy. shifting for the
first time from his solid attitude of the .
bulldog at bay
His sign he promised is apt to be
bomb observed Darrow.
He's nutty. all right" Mccarthy :
agreed. but when he said that. he .
was doing the tall religious He's go;
bug that way"
Your affair said barrow Just
the same. Id have an outer Office"
Outer office-rot!" said the boss
An outer office just gets cluttered
up with people waiting Here they've
got 70 say it right out in meeting-if
want EN- to. What's the good word,
Perc: What can | do for you?"
Dsrrow smiled. You know very
well. my fat friend, that the only
reason you like ME at all is that I'm
the one and only man who comes into
this office who doesn't want one single
thing of you"
Il suppose that's it" agreed Nc.
earthly The telephone rang. He
snatched down the receiver, listened
moment and thrust forward his
heavy Jowl. Not on your lifeI'' he
growled in answer to some question
While he was still occupied with the
receiver. Percy barrow nodded and
sauntered out.