Gilpin observer., 1919-03-06
CHAPTER VII.

Ou Iuc way 10 tne WIT department
the following morning he was puzzling
over the affair, Kellerman's presence
in Mra 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 can coin the phrase.
Quite despicable-the One-time gentle
man who has lost his honor; and dan
gerous, because he knows things that
nobody would credit him with know.
ing. l suppose you wonder what I was
doing in Mrs. KensOn's place"
mot at all, Major Kellerman."
MY dear Wallace" said Kellerman,
laying hand on Marks shoulder, 81
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 n good post"-he en-
phasized the adjective-"in regimental
work."
And as Mark looked at him in stu
pefaction. Kellerman added coolly:
II am not speaking officially, my
dear Wallace. Take the suggestion as
friendly one. If l can make it a
little clearer to you, your presence in
Washington is inconvenient to me for
personal reasons. / 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, fuming. OF
course Kellerman had referred to Ell
ednor; and it suddenly occurred to
Mark that Kellerman might have
made a good deal of headway during
his absence.
Mark and Colonel Howard occupied
small room ut the end of the corri
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 plan,
together. They were engaged ON f,
compiler ted piece Of work, involving
tonnage and computations Of cubi,
feet Of space for cargoes. There hat
been an error somewhere, and Mari
was trying hard to discover 1t wher
the Brig idier came in in his usual iras
cibie manner.
How long will that Job take, How
nrd?" ho asked.
wallace will have 1t finished b.
noon, sir, answered the Colonel.
The Brigadier waved Mark to hi
seat impatiently. Bring II right II
to me as soon as you have the figures
please" he said. "Ill wait for It. Sur,
you can be through by noon?'
'I'm sure, SIR" answered Mark, wh'
was hot on the trail OF the error.
The Briga' Ter withdrew, taking thu
Colonel with him for a conference
Mark worked steadily. The omission
was found, the computations wer'
balancing. A clerk knocked at thu
door. aH
"what is it?" asked Mark impa
tiently.
"A man to see you, sir. lie says hi
snme's Hartley. Shall I show him In 2
Good Lord. mol I'll see him in thu
Gaiting room," answered Mark.
He locked the office door. wen