Evening star., 1917-09-16

No. Mr.. Conybear was not there. The
commissioner OF police OF New York
city was inquirinE for him? Was any
thing wrong
Why. no said Herkomer embarras-
sedly. WHO is this talking?"
Henderson. Mr.. Conybears $ valet. Er,
and confidential secretary, in way,
sir. too. II there is anything impor-
tant-
why. no." admitted the commission
er- u got word that Mr.. Conybear had
been - well. kidnapped. or something
like that. and
Henderson. at the other end Of tn.
wire. laughed.
Excuse me, sir, but you perhaps
aren't aware OF the system of guards
out here"
Herkomer felt himself blush Why.
YES, I know it's poor Jest. but-sl-
though such a matter would he. strictly
speaking. in the office of the Forts
mouth police, still
Quite righ, Of you, sir And vsry
Conybear. of your thoughtfulness. BY
the way. sir, where did such an absurd
rumor spring from
"Oh. that doesn't matter. grumo oled
Herkomer You say Mr. Conybaar.
all right That's enough You needn't
mention my calling M. The papers
We don't like the papers out here
any more than you do, sir. laughed
Henderson. Thank You again. sir, for
ringing up
Not at all, said Herkomer. "Bv the
way. Mr- Conyhear wasn't in his New
York office and wasn't expected"
Did you tell them of the absurd ru-
NOR asked Henderson.
No, / didn't"
I'm glad of that sir 1t annoys Mr.
Conyhear when foolish reports are
brought to his ears. and some one in
the Office might hav let drop some
Thing to \ newspa oer man-you never
can tell. sir. And il would embarrass
Mr.. conybear to have the newspapers
trailing him. now. can tell YOU, sir
for you're discreet. of course Mr..
Conybear has some important business
matters on hand, and has gone up into
New England to consult with some as
sociates- He left night before last
tell you this in strict confidence, sir.
of course. Even his office doesn't know
OF it. But your telephonins me. your
natural alarm, sir. make me feel tpst
Mr.. Cony hear would have no objection
to my telling you this. Good after
noon, sir. thanking You again, sir
Not at all, Good afternoon said
Iierkomer.
lie rank off Just as Kelcey knocked.
We've fed the little man, sir. said the
sergeant. Want to see him"
Herkomer nodded, and Peter Per-
kins. smoking a large cigar. was ush-
cred into the office again. The COM
missioner of police was a kindly
well thorough citizen. \ cruel hoax
had made this poor halfwit tramp
miles over the dusty Long Island roads
in the hone of reward. Well. he
should have a reward if his ambitions
were not too lofty.
Well. have a good meal, Peter?"
Fine" Peter smacked his lips.
Thinking about the reward. now. eh7
About how big do you think it'll be-"
Well. il ought to be a dollar. hadn't
it?' asked Peter.
We'll. | should say So said Her
komer. He winked at Sergt. Kelcev.
nd far he
sides"
II was one of the little things that
epdeared Herkomer to the force. and
that lost nothing in the telling, al
though Herkomer never dreamed that
the littl- geherosities, which were
natural TO him as eating or sleeping.
We're mulled over at headquarters. in
remote precinct stations by officers
meeting at the intersection of their
beats.
His reward thrust deep into his
trousers pocket. Peter left the Office.
Herkomer turned his attention for the
next half hour to reading reports, sign
ing orders and the like routine busi-
ness. Then he locked his desk made.
a memorandum of what he expected 10
do during the eNenine-at what hours
he might be reached on the telephone.
and where-handed the memors sndum
10 Nelcey and pulled on his light over
coat
lie hesitated moment looking az
Inc sergeant = OfnillS tttfkOnitT
had the healthy mans disinclination
I" he laughed at. but he trusted the
good sense and the loyalty of Kelley.
He handed kelcey the note that Peter
Perkins had found in the Long Island
dust
What do you make of it. sergeant"
Kelley read ii slowly. moving his
tongue around his mouth. He nodded
toward the telephone.
II take it You been usin' that little
bridge builder. commissioner?
Herkomer laughed oh. yes-got
his office and then his Portsmouth
place. Talked with his private secre-
tary out there. conybear's O. X
Then he's o. X. should say, sir"
sa id kelcey.
He handed the note back to Herko-
mer.
Its a duh day when some new nut
don't spring some new wrinkie-aint
that the truth. sir?''
1t certainly is. sergeant" laughed
Herkomer. He reached for his hat,
nodded to Kelley and left the office.
II" he continued in next sundays Star)