The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1918-11-27
CHAPTER VII.

On the way to the war department
the following morning he was puzzling
over the affair, Kellerman's presence
in Mrs. Kenson's house, and Keller
mans possible connection with Hart
ley, who watched Eleanor.
He could not arrive at any but the
most fantastic solutions.
Kellerman welcomed him with his
usual suavity. They carried up the
papers from the safe; then Kellerman
called Mark into his own Office.
about last night, Wallace" he
began. "Of course you acted all right,
as you understood the situation, but
there was good deal that you did not
understand. That man you took home
to your rooms is sort of international
stool pigeon. if l can coin the phrase.
Quite despicable-the one-time gentle
man who has lost his honor; and dam
gerOus, because he knows things that
nobody would credit him with know
ing. l suppose you wonder what was
doing in Mrs. Kenson's placer
Not ut all, Major Kellerman."
"My dear Wallace" said Kellerman,
laying a hand on Marks shoulder, II
want to give you a piece of advice.
This is quite apart from our work
here. l don't think your qualities are
adapted to headquarters work. Go
back to your battalion-or, rather. take
advantage of your friends in Wash
ington to secure good post'-he EN-
phasized the adjective regimental
work."
And as Mark looked at him in stu
pefaction. Kellerman added coolly:
81 am not speaking officially, my
dear Wallace. Take the suggestion as
friendly one. If l can make 1t a
little clearer to you, your presence in
Washington is inconvenient to me fol
personal reasons. l think you will ap
preciate the reasOns-the reason
rather"
The mans insolence. was madden
ing. Marks impulse was to dash his
fists into his face. But discipline
told.
Mark saluted stiffiy and went away
He sat down at his desk, Tuning. u
course .Kellerman had referred to 81
eanor; and it suddenly occurred Il
Mark that Kellerman might hav'
made a good deal of Roadway durin,
his absence.
Mark and Colonel Howard occupied
a small room at the end OF the CORR
dor: the clerks room was without; be
tween the two, accessible from each
was Kellerman's office, which cOmmu
nicated, in turn, with the Brigadier's
Colonel Howard came in after
while, and they went over their plans
together. They were engaged on
complicated piece Of work, involvlns
tonnage and computations OF cuDi'
feet of space for cargoes. There hat
been an error somewhere, and Mars
was trying hard to discover 1t wher
the Brigadier came in in his usual iras
chile manner.
"How long will that job take, How
ard?" he asked.
"Wallace will have it finished by
noon, sir" answered the Colonel.
The Brlgadier waved Mark to ms
seat impatiently. Bring it right In
to me as soon as you have the figures
please" he said. "Tll wait for 1t. Sure
YOU can be through by ,nOon?'
I'm sure, sir" answered Mark, who
was hot on the trait of the error.
The Brigadier withdrew, taking the
Colonel with him for conference
Mark worked steadily. The omission
was found, the computations Were
balancing. A clerk knocked ut the
door.
"What is lit" asked Mark impa'
uently.
"A man to see you. sir. He says his
names Hartley. Shall l show him Int
"Gooa Lord. mol I'll see him In the
waiting room," answered Mark.
He locked the office door. went