The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-06-22

Is to say. she smiled with the left side
of her face only. and her eyes flickered
shut and open again.
You want and see, kidd" Well, I've
got to be trotting along. We have q
meeting this morning. Goo'-by!"
Mr.. Gubb was surprised to see the
leader Of the girl strikers in Mr.. Roll
lop's very parlor. It suggested with
what ease violent-minded striker
might nnd an opportunity to harm Mr..
Rollop. Mamie picked up her papers
gle accompanied her to the hall door.
Mr.. Gubb heard Maggie trying the
telephone again. and he replaced his
three sample books on the center table.
In minute Maggie returned.
"Rollop Is as mad as hops!" she said.
He says you were to come to the Of
fec and not to the house. heard him
giving his stenographer fits. He says
you are to come down there, and not
waste a minute in getting there"
Nobody mentioned into the message
whence or whittier I was to come to. ="
said Mr.. Gubb, and he gathered up
his sample books again. Maggie OPEN
ed the front door for him. and he
passed between the cofIin-like pilasters
which, had Mr.. Gubb but known it.
were gruesomely suggestive. as they
stood thanking the door. of a man who
was in fear for his life.
The graduate (and holder Of a first-
class diploma) of the Rising Sun De-
tective Bureaus Correspondence
School of Detecting walked toward the
lower end Of town and Mr.. Rollop's
office as rapidly as possible. and en-
tered the office in a remarkably short
time after he had left Mr.. RolIop's
house. Mr.. Rollop was gazing out Of
the window. He had been walking the
floor with agitation showing in every
STEP and three times he had snapped
at Miss Murtatroyd, instead of answer
Ing her in his usually calm and oily
manner, He led Mr.. Gubb into his
inner office and closed the door. He
stood on chair and closed a transom.
II fetched down along with me some
of the most superiorest samples of
wallpaper hangings." Mr.. Gubb began,
but Mr.. Ro!lop snapped off his words.
II Don't want emil he calculated.
"Gubb, you're a detective of some sort,
aren't you?"
Fl am one of the best kind of sorts. "
said Mr.. Gubb rather haughtily.
Very we'll You are detective.
and that Is what want. told Miss
Maursatroyd I wanted a paper-hanger
because"-he lowered his voice-"this
Is a serious matter. I'm threatened.
My life is threatened. I'm In dire
danger. don't want anyone to know
I'm employing you. or the fiends that
mean me harm might hatsen their mis-
cradle work. You understand"
You want me to work onto the case
into entirely unknown and secretive
manner" said Mr.. Gubb.
"Just that" said Mr.. Rollop.
"Then." said Mr.. Gubb. TIL have to
disguise myself up"
You know mere about that than ]
do said Mr.. Roilop. "But at any rate
I want the Office out there to think you
are here as a paper-hanger. Open
your sample books. and I'll call Miss
Murgatroyd in and ask her what she
/ thinks of one Of the papers for use
on this office" care A -,a
Mr.. Gubb placed the three sample
books on the desk. and as no did &c
and removed his hand an oblong card
fell to the floor. turning over once OIL
twice in its fall. Mr.. Rollop reached
down and picked 1t up. Instantly his