, 1914-09-24

swung around the corner In the same
direction, and. with a little start. ! rec
ognized Grady and Simnlonds. with NJ
Ptgot between them. Evidently Ora
dy had been introducing the stra niger
to a number of typical American
d-rfnks-and the result OF all this was.
that Grady's legs wobbled perceptibly.
As a matter of racial comparison, 7
glanced at NJ. Pigots. but they seemed
In every way normal.
"Hello. Lester" said simmonds In a
voice which showed that he had not
wholly escaped the influences of the
evenings celebration, and even Grady
condescended to- nod, from which I In
ferred that he was feeling very unusu-
ally happy.
Hello. Simmonds," l answered, and.
as l turned westward with them. he
dropped back and fell into step be
side me-.
"Piggott is certainly a wonder" he
said. "A regular sport-wanted to see
everything and taste everything. He
says Paris amt in the same class with
this town"
"'where Ire you going now?" I
asked.
Were going round to The station
Piggott says he's got a sensation up
his sleeve for us-its got something to
do with that cabinet"
with the cabinet2"
yes: that shiny thing Godfrey got
me to lock up in a CELL
"Sfmmonds," | said seriously. does
Godfrey know about thisY'
"No." said Simmonds, looking a little
uncomfortable. II told Grady we
ought to phone him to come up, but
the chief got mad and told me to mind
my W business. Godfrey's been after
him. you know, for a long time"
Suppose I phone him." I suggested.
'"There'd be no objection to that.
would there?"
81 Won't object said Simmonds.
land I don't know who else will, since
nobody else will know about 1t. Good
night" and he followed his compan-
Ions into the station.
CHAPTER XIV.
The Secret of the Cabinet.
~HERE a a drug store at the
corner with O public telephone
station, and two minutes later
was asking to be connected
with the city room at the Record Of
fee.
No, said a supercilious voice. Mr..
Godfrey was not there; he had left
some time before. No, the speaker
did not know where he was going. nor
when he would be back.
Look here l said. this is impor-
ant. want to talk to the city edi-
tor-and be quick about it."
There was an ~instant's ~astonished
silence.
what name?" asked the voice.
Lester of Royce & Lester-and you
might tell your city editor tina God
frey is q close friend Of mine"
The city editor seemed to under
stand, for I was switched on to him a
moment later. But he was scarcely
more satisfactory.
I'VE sent Godfrey up into West
chester to see a man." he said. ION a
tip that looked pretty good. He start
ed Just as soon as he got his Ptgot
story written. and he ought to be back
almost any time. Is there a message
I can give himY"
yes Tell him Pigot is at the TWEEN
ty-third street station and that he'd
better come up as soon as he can"
Very good I'll give him the mes
sage the moment lie comesein."
In the street again. L paused hesitat-
ingly at the curb, my eyes on the red
light Of the police station. What was
about to happen there7 What was the
sensation NJ. Ptgot had up his sleeyef
l turned toward the light. pushed
open the door and entered. There was
no one In sight except the sergeant at
the desk.
my name In Lester" I said. You
have a cabinet here belonging to the,
estate of the late Philip fvantine.
We've got a cabinet, all right, but
1 don't know who 1t belongs TO-"
at belongs to Mr.. vantine's estate
I'd like to see It a minute"
"You can't see It tonight. Come
around tomorrow. Besides. 1 don't
know you"
Here's my card Either Mr.. Sim.
monds OF Mr.. Grady would know me.
and tomorrow won't do"
The sergeant took the card. looked at
II and looked at me.
wait a minute.'' be said at last and
disappeared through q door at the far
ther side Of the room. He was gone
three or four minutes. and the station
clock struck ~ as I stood there. At
last the sergeant came back.
Come along" he said. opening the
gate In the railing and m~otioning me
through. Straight on through that
door," he added. and sat down again
at his desk.
With a desperate effort at careless
unconcern, I opened the door and pass
ed through. Then involuntarily l stop
a.