The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1919-09-18
CHAPTER vi.

1t was eight by the clock in the
tower of the slip when we docked on
the San Francisco side.
Dual took instant control and hur-
ried us to the street front, where he
bundled us into taxi and cried to the
driver for haste.
My first impression of the city was
of long street paved in asphalt, lin
ed by massive structures of granite
and steel. brick, and concrete, lighted
by a million points of sparkling light,
coursed by thousand gorgon-eyed
motors and a hundred changing troll
leys, where blueecoated traffic men
checked US or waved us onward in I'M
disputed direction, under dimly mis-
ty atmosphere, which subconsciously
knew was fog.
Out of this we presently turned into
a quieter street, stormed up hill and
stopped before the arched and pillar
ed entrance to a massive white build
ing, from whose doors charged squad
of pages, who seized on our bags and
escorted us across a yellow marble
foyer to yellow marble desk, where
we inscribed our names in a massive
tome, lettered Hotel st. Francis at the
top of each page.
Such was the beginning Of rather
eventful night.
Dual took a suite with three bed
rooms and parlor; two pages stag
gered to the elevators with our bag
gage and led us to our rooms, unlock
ed the doors, piled our bags, pulled up
one blind and lowered another, chased
an imaginary fly from a table, accept
ed their largess and left.
Sheldon cast an eye about the apart
ment.
Swell dump, all right" he an
nounced, nodding. 81 reckon I'll I'M
pack my war-bag and turn in"
mot just yet, colonel" replied
Dual. 81 fear that you must wait
some hours for that. want to close
this affair tonight"
think we were all more or less sur
prised at his words. 1 know 1 was,
and Colonel Mac fairly gasped as he
whirled toward him and repeated the.
one word, Tonight" in way
which showed he was far from con-
WINGED.
But it was on Reich that the words
had the most marked effect He actu
ally swayed on his feet and his face
seemed to me to grow almost CHASTITY
like that of one who has received an
unexpected shock.
Tonight" he faltered. "But, my
God! how can you? What can we do
tonight"
at is of that we must speak," said
Semi Dual. First" he turned to
Miss Foote = twill you, Miss Lucille,
take one of the hotels taxis, go to the
proper place and establish our stand
ing with the San Francisco police? AS
soon as you have done so, request
them to place a detective at our dis
posal and return with him her,
Lucille, who had not removed her
hat, nodded and left the suite without
a word
Dual turned back to US.
Suppose we sit down." he remark
ed. From now on wish it distinctly
understand that I am in control, be-
cause from now on we must work and
work fast"
"Bully!' cried Sheldon, slapping
hand on his knee. "Now maybe Wen
git action. can jest nacherally live
on that. What do I do?"
81 was coming to that" said Semi
Dual Colonel, want you to listen
closely and do what I ask, no matter
what you yourself may think of the
request.
"You can see for yourself that Mr..
Reich is unstrung. This experience
has completely shattered his usual
control. You as the one of US who
knows him best, l am going to ask to
constitute yourself his companion for
this evening"
His mental condition is such that
he may say or do something at time
when it would have very serious re-
suits unless he has an older head to
watch him, and it is that duty to
which I now assign you. In your own
way of speaking, stick to him,
colonel"
Il don't need a Guard or a nurs ."
Reich protested But his words even
to me lacked force 'If you think I'm
likely to interfere with your plans
leave me here-put me to bed. won't