Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-12-06
CHAPTER VII.

On the way to the war department
the following morning he was puzzling
over the affair, Kellerman's presence
In Mrs. Krason'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 ycu acted oil right,
as you understood the situation, but
there was a good deal that you did not
understand. That man you took home
to your rooms is sort Of international
stool pigeon. If / 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. / suppose you wonder what was
doing in Mrs. Kenson's placer
''Not at all. Major KelIerman."
NY OCtiA w uAidNc, S2llu
laying hand on Marks shoulder, 81
want to give you a piece of advice
This is quite apart from our work
here. | 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-
phnsized the adjective-"n regimental
work"
And as Mark looked at him in stu
pefaethon, Kellerman added coolly:
Il am not spealdng officially, my
dear Wallace. Take the suggestion as
friendly one. If 1 can make it a
little clearer to you, your presence In
Washington is inconvenient to me Cor
personal reasons. l think you will APP
preciate the reasons-the reason,
rather"
The mans insolence was mndden-
ing. Marks impulse was TO dash his
fists into his face. But discipline
told.
Mark saluted stifTly and went away
He sat down at his desk, fuming OF
course Kellerman had referred to Ell
eanor; and 1t suddenly occurred to
Mark that Kellerman might have
made a good deal of headway during
his absence.
Mark and Colonel Howard occupied
a small room at the end of the corri
dor; the clerks room was without; be
tween the two, accessible from each
~..VIa s,fTfn .,.kt
aicnted. in turn. with the Brigadier's
Colonel Howard came In after Q
while, and they went over their plans
together. They were engaged on 9
complicated piece of work, involving
tonnage and computations of cubic
feet of space for cargoes. There hat
been an error somewhere, and MARI
was trying hard to discover 1t wher
the Brigndier came In In his usual iras
chile manner.
How long will that Job take, How
ard7" he asked.
"Wallace will have 1t finished b,
noon, SIR" answered the Colonel.
The Brlgndler waved Mark to hi
seat impatiently. Bring 1t right Il
to me as soon as you have the figures
pleuse," he said. 'I'll wait for 1t. Sur
you can be through by noonT
"Pm sure, SIR" answered Mark, VIII
was hot on the trail Of the error.
The Brigndier withdrew, taking tn
Colonel with him for n conferenc,
Mark worked steadily. The otnissio
was found, the computations wer
balancing. A clerk knocked at th
door.
"what Is itT" asked Mark impt
tiently.
"a man to see you, Sir. He says hi
names Hartley. Shall show him in
Good Lord, mol I'll see him in th
waiting room," answered Mark.
He locked the Office door, wei
through the clerks room and into IL
nuteroom. Hartley was standing b.
aide the window. He looked up sheel
Ishly as Mark entered.
"WellT" asked Mark crisply.
Hartley grinned "I didn't take II
cups or the picture, Captain Wallace
he said.
"welI. what about 1t? What can
DO for your
''Why, II wanted to tell you
much, Captain Wallace. I've sunk lo1
but not to theft. Only / didn't feel
could stay"
Good Lord, man, Is that all W
have come to tell me?"
well, you see-there was somethir
else, but" stammered Hartley.
"Out with it, thenl"
IL wanted to thank you for VIII
you Old for me. and"
The man seemed to be trying to sp
QUO the Interview for some indefini
purpose. Mark turned on his he,
His temper was not of the best ju
chen. and Hartley was the last m;
n the world whom he wanted to sc
"All right" he answered. "Ste
StUr OF that womnn--of Mrs. Kenso
Hartley. It's evident that she doesr
g9ciprocrtc your feelings. or whatev
hey are. and she seems TO have son
'qnrerpus friends about her"
lie rslenicd suddenly, and. goil