Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-02-09

] have been holding little some
thing back from YOU
Something about what, chief"
About you-and u woman"
'YeS--go on.'
Six months ago a young woman
called on me at my hotel. and asked
me ii l had offered you the position
of chief of the detective bureau. |
said that / had, and that you had
declined. She then asked me II ]
get you. That was all that passed
between us She thanked me and
went away
She was Mary Regain" said Clifford.
she was"
And is that all that has happen
edo"
To-day / had note from her, with
out date or address, advising me to
offer you the position again, and to
keep on Offering 1t to you until you
accepted"
Something was happening within
Clifford. though he did not know what
il was--something that set brain
whirling and heart beating at a
swifter tempo. II just left her." he
said with mechanical calm. She s
going to marry man named Jack
Morton"
so 1 have just learned"
How"
Some of my men have been cover
ing Bradley and Loveman. Loveman's
house telephone is tapped, and a few
threads have been picked up. Miss
Regain believes she is doing what she is
doing because she wants to. and from
her own motives. But Bradley and
Loveman are behind IT,"
I'm what way?" cried Clifford.
Bradley, as you know. is sort of
private Waterman over young Nor
ton. Loveman has handled lot of
delicate matters for the father. The
elder Morton is ruthless egoist. an
able man of big affairs. but remark
able for neither business nor personal
morality. The son you are acquainted
with You can see the opportunities
here for such n combination as Brad
ley and Loveman"
Eyes But where does Mary Regain
come IMP"
Bradley and Loveman arc using her
now, and expect to use her in the
future"
Does she know she is being used?"
I'm certain she does not even guess
Then how did they ever get her
into 1t this far?"
81 do not know"
But surely" cried Clifford. "You
must have some idea of what their
plan is?"
only that I surmise that IL is one
individual case of the general situa-
ton concerning which l lust spoke to
you-about how very clever persons
have made a subtle business out OF
the manner In which the city's big
pleasure reacts upon human ambi-
lions and human frailties. Any infor-
nation more definite than this it Will
be part of your job to get"
Abruptly Clifford stood up and
strobe to n window and stood gag
ing vacantly at huge, candy factory
across Broome street--hls whole be-
ing now wildly athrob, his brain
working swiftly though incoherently.
What niightit not mean, Mary Regan's
showing this concern to see that he
accepted the position he had once re-
fused because of her? - And
how much did she really care for
MortonT And might there not
be motives, deeper and other than he
had guessed. that had caused her to
treat him so cavaiierly? And
the menace of Loveman and Of Brad
ley
Abruptly Clifford turned about on
Thorne.
Chief, I'm sorry to take back my
word--but | cannot accept that lob
as chief of detectives"
why not?' cried the astounded
THAT ! can't explain Just now. But
though i can't take the job, I'll do
all can In personal way to help
handle that condition you were speak
ing about. You'll excuse me, chief,
but I've got to do q lot Of quick think
ing
Leaving Thorne fairly gasping at