The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1919-01-11
CHAPTER VII.

On tine Wny 10 the war department
the following morning he was puzzlIng
over the affair, Kellerman's presence
In Mrs. Kenson's house, aud Keller
mans possible connection with Hart
ley, who watched Eleanor.
lie could not arrive at any but the
most fantastic solutions.
Kellernlan welcomed him with his
usual suavlty. They carried up the
papers from the safe; then Kellerman
called Mark into his own office.
About last night, Wallace" he
began. "Of course yon acted all right,
as you understood the situation, but
there was a good deal that you did not
understand. That mon you took home
to your rooms Is IA sort of international
stool pigeon. ar can coin the phrase.
Quite despicablc--the one-time gentle
man who has lost his honor; and dan
gerons, because he knows things that
nobody would credit him with know.
Ing. | suppose you wonder what / was
doing In Mrs. Kenson's placer"
mot nj all, Major Kcllerman."
MY dear Wallace" said Kcllermnn
laying hand on Marks shoulder. "a
want 10 give you piece OF advice.
This Is quite apart from our work
here. / don't think your qualities are
adapted 10 headquarters work. Go
back To your battaliOn--or, rather, take
advantage of your friends I'm Wash
ington TO secure good post"-he EN-
phnslzed the adJectiye--"in regimental
work."
And as Mark looked at him In stu
pefaction. Kellcrman added cooly:
II am not s?eaklng officially, my
dear Wallace. Take the suggestion as
friendly one. II / can make II
little clearer to you, your presence In
Washington is inconvenlent to me for
personal reasons. / think you will APP
preclate the reasons-the reason.
rather"
The mans insolence was madden
ing. Marks impulse was 10 dash his
fists into his face. But discipline
told.
Mark saluted sti1ly and went away
lie sat down ut his desk, fuming. OF
course Kellerman had referred TO f.
~ ONtulStu ~
Mark that Kellerman might have
made good deal of headway during
his absence.
Mark and Colonel Howard occupied
u small room at the end of the corri-
dor; the clerks room was without; be-
tween the two, accessible from each,
was Kellerman's Office, which commu-
r.if.nfaaH In tttr with ha ptlf n iaptS
Colonel Howard came In after a
wfiffe. and they went over their plans
together. They were engaged ON
complicated piece of work, involving
tonnage and computations of cubic
feet of space for cargoes. There had
been an error somewhere, and Mark
was trying hard to discover 1t when
the Brigadler came In In his usual iras-
chile manner
''How long will that job take, How =,
ard?" he asked.
"Wallace Will have II finished by !
noon. SIR" answered tke Colonel.
The Brlgadler waved Mark to his |
seat impatiently. "Brlng IL right In
to me as soon as you have the figures,
DitAHtt ht ~ wait lpE II. GouIc |
you can be through by noon?"
"rm sure, sir" answered Mark, who |
was hot on the trail OF the error.
The Brlgadier withdrew. taking the |
Colonel with him for conference. |
Mark worked steadily. The omission |
was found, the computations were
A clerk Knocked at the
door.
"what Is it?" asked Mark impa-
IA man to see you. sir. He says his
names Hartley Shall show him in?"
Good Lord. mol I'll see him In the
waiting room." answered Mark.
He locked the Office door, went
the clerks room and Into the
anteroom. Hartley was standing be-
side the window. He looked up sheep
ishly as Mark entered.
"Wellf" asked Mark crispiy.
Hartley grlnned. II didn't take the
cups or the picture. Captain Wallace"
he said.
swell. what about iti What can
do for your
"Why. IL wanted to tell you as
much. Captain Wallace. I've sunk low,
but not to theft. Only l didn't feel
could Stay"
= Good Lord. man. is that all you
have come to tell me2"
"Well, you see-there was something
alse, but" stammered Hartley.
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Ito be continued)