The Washington herald., 1919-01-29

CHAPTER xI-Continued.
Come into this other room" said
Drew. Come right in, Delaney. This
wsy!" Drew lifted the portieres. then
dropped them after the operative had
stumbled forward
What did you nnd?" he asked into
Deianey's ear. "out with uV'
The operative glanced about the
reading room. He blinked at the
glowing electrics. He recovered his
voice as he drew in a deep breath
which bulged his chest TO barrel pro-
portions.
81 went" he said huskily. Il went
to Gramercy Hill exchange. Found
the superintendent ... Fellow, you
told me to find, chief. draws him
to one side.... He ups like I'd hit
him.. He says fellow quit today.
Says fellow. Says he was no good.
Says he was tapping joints instead
Of soldering them. Says he only hired
him on account of the shortage OF
electricians and helpers e. because Of
the last army draft"
Did you get his address,
Il got II, chief. II is over on
Fifty-third street near the river. I
didn't 60. ! wanted TO see you first.
.... There's more"
out with it"'
The superintendent SAYS he never
sent that. trouble-hunter over here
last night. There's a record Of
sending another man named Frisby."
Did you see-Frisby"'
'I did. chief"
What did he say?" Drew's fingers
he'd clutched the operatives arm.
What did he say" he repeated
grimly.
Said, that Albert-that's the trou-
ble-hunter-had stopped him on the
way over here and took his place.
Said. he was satisfied. . Albert could
have all the jobs on a night like last
night. That's just what Frisby said,
chief"
Drew loosened his fingers from De-
laneys arm and turned slowly. The
portieres swayed slightly. They shook
anew. They parted at the center and
revealed Loris Stockbridge Her eyes
burned the soft gloom with glazed
Interrogation. She raised her white
hand and pressed back her hair from
her forehead She stepped forward
with her knees striking against the
stin satin OF her skirt She swung
from Delaney toward Drew.
What were you saying" she asked
imperiously What did you say
about trouble-man? What was il.
plesse2"
I'm looking for one. Miss de-
clared Delaney. Il was over at the
telephone company's exchange lookin'
for the lad that was here last night
and fixed the junction box in the
yard back OF the house. Mr.. Drew
wants him"
Loris turned toward the detective
You want him?" she asked softly.
What do you want him for? Please
tell me. ] don't like him. at all"
II was Drew's turn to draw in his
breath He eyed the girl. He tried
TO iathom the reason for her simple
question and her objection Miss
Lorls' he said. struggling his square
shoulders. Why, it's a slight mat
ter. The man has disappeared. We
lhaps"
rs he a little chap with a satcbeI
and a testing set?" she asked "a
nice-mannered, soft-voiced little man
who was so obliging, and vet so-ob,
don't know what I have against
him. He's so sly-don't you think
so. Mr.. Drew"
When did you ever see him -.
asked Drew, feeling the blood rising
to his cheeks at a thought which
surged through his brain.
Meet him? Why, he was hero
early this afternoon. He was all
over the house,
CHAPTEP VII
"saspicfon Fastens.D
Triggy Drew had been trained G.,
the hardest school in the world o,-js
Stockbridgeis statement. delivered
with such sincerity and so nafvelv.
completely upset him. 1t was like a
gentle reminder that, as a hunter OF
men, he had failed. He took tho blow
with flaming checks and an almost
stopped heart.
Delaney realized that something OF
moment IN the case had happened. He
stared at his chief then turned bis
eyes upon Harry Nichols. who stepped
through the portieres and stood by
Loris' side.
What is it, chief?' asked tn. on-
erati'e, Was there anything IN
what she said?'
-
covering himself with a tossing sbT1r
Of his shoulders. Anything? Fve-,.-
thing. The man We want Is
Found?" breathed Ioris cIutcbipg
Nichols arm.
Not yet-but very soon" said the
detective with sanguine eyes eve
want that trouble-hunter. Delaney "
he added gathering in the details for
action as he spoke You'll have ro
hurry right over TO the address and
see II you can round him I'D. II he
isn't there-get him! / want b,D,
brought here at once. He's GOT much
to explain"'
III go right now" said DELANEY
starting toward the reception room.
Wait" said Drew.
Delaney turned at the portieres
Don't phone me here" the do
tective warned. Don't do ANYTHING
by telephone. Were on the trail Of
man or men who can tab wires. He
or they may have a confederate in
this house. Re carefuI-get your sus-
pect and bring him here. Well trv
him whit the foot prints. Well check
up with the finger prints. Then. il
he don't cave in. we'H turn him over
to Fosdick and the third degree I
firmly believe that Albert. whom 1
saw in the library and who was in