Evening star., 1921-06-12
THE PHANTOM ARMY
ANOTHER THRILLING ADVENTURE OF THE
GRAY MASK.
By Wadsuonh Camp.

garment hdtner MS concern CehtereA
on the inspector. who had LETT his
desk and whose corpulent. lethargic
figure moved about the room with an
exceptional and eccentric animation.
To ease the perceptible strain Garth
spoke to Nora.
Seems to me you knit no matter
where you are"
when one knits for the hospitals"
she answered. ANY place will do.
had hoped my example might quiet
father. l only dropped in for chat.
and look at him. What welcome!
I'm afraid. Jim, he has something dis
agreeable for you"
The inspector paused and sat on the
edge of his desk.
Maybe so. Maybe not" he rumbled.
81 don't like working through the
dark, so 1 don't like to ask anybody
else to do 1t. I've got to, though.
Cheer up. Garth. I'm asking you"
He raised his paper cutter and jab-
lance.
Ever since I got down this morn
ing" he went on, I've been bounded
by kilograms and ng-distance calls
Well? Do you want holiday? It's
apt to be hell of a holiday. Excuse
me. Nora
IT see" Garth said. Something out
of town"
That's the rumpus." he answered.
and Garth saw that his eyes were not
about it myself unless they'd like
Garth to chase few spooks. Here's
the layout. It's man who's done me
. good many favors. There's no Sc
cret-political ones I'm in his debt,
and he's asked me for a good detec-
side. the side I don't like. He insists
on his man showing up as guest.
knowing no more than a random guest
would know. Sounds like tommy-rot.
but he isn't sure himself there's any
thing out of the way. He wants you.
II you take it UP. to live quietly in
the house. keeping your eyes peeled.
He expects you to put him wise to the
trouble or to stake your reputation
that there isn't any trouble at all. Are
blindly that way? He'd like the fel-
low that swung the Hennion job. but
II you turned it down cold 1 couldn't
help it. could %
Nonsense. chief" Garth answered
Never heard of such a thing. but it
sounds interesting. I'll take shot
Here's his name and address.
Catch the 10 o'clock from the Grand
Central and you'll get up there to-
night"
Garth took the slip. Before placing
it in his pocket be glanced it over.
+
GA NDREw ALDEN he saw. Leave
"A Boston from north station on
4 o'clock train and get OF at Deacons
bay"
I've heard Of Mr.@" Garth began.
The Inspectors quick. angry shake
Of the head in Nora's direction
brought him to an abrupt pause. He
walked to Nora and took her hand.
"Then I won't see you until after
my holiday" he said with a smile.
"I agree with father" she said. TT
isn't safe to walk through the dark.
Won't you tell me where you're 60
ing -
he answered II have to rush to pick
up my things on the way to the train"
When Garth had left, Nora arose
Why" she asked. wouldn't you let
Jim tell me the mans name?'
What did you come down for this
morning, anyway? No sense in your
getting upset A detective bureau
isn't a nursery.
Politics" she cried. "And Jim's
leaving from the Grand Central. Il
know. He's going to Mr.. Alden's at
Deacons bay. I see why you wouldn't
let him tell me-"
place is all right" the inspector
said stubbor9ly. you've seen it. You
were there With me two summers ago.
What's the matter with the placer
NO use trying to pull the wool over
my eyes" Nora answered. Its the
1oneliest place I've ever seen. and you
ought to know I'd remember Mr.. AL
denis big furnaces and machine shop.
ing up SO late this year on account
of the enormous war orders he's
taken. You know as well as do
that that may mean real danger for
jim What did Mr. Alden tell you?"
"I sometimes think. Nora, you'd
u.s. Alden's sick and nervous. 1
guess that's all it amounts to. He's
probably scared some German SYM
pathizer may take pot shot at him
worried about his wife. She won't
leave him there alone, and it seems
all their servants, except old John.
have cleared out
You said something to Jim about
spooks." Nora prompted.
woods back of his house. You remem-
her. There was some kind Of a fight
there during tho rsSolution-a lot OF
men ambushed and nassacred. Serv-
there on foggy nights
The inspector lowered his voice to =
more serious key.
THE angle don't like is that Alden's
valet was found dead in those woods
yesterday morning: Not mark on
him. Coroner, believe. says apoplexy,
but Alden's nervous, and the rest Of the
help cleared out Alden and his wife
are alone with old John. Confolnd it
Nora, had to send him somebody"
rBut without word Of this!"
"Jim," he said, "can take care Of him.
self if anybody can. Seems to me
you're pretty anxious. Sure you haven't
anything to tell me about you and
him.
.T've nothing to tell you. father" she
answered. Nothing now. 1 don't
know Honestly. I don't know. I only
perience. and il anything happened to
Jim that could help. I'd never forgive
myself"
The night had gathered swiftly be-
hind curtain Of rain. The last streak
OF gray had long faded when Garth's
"a small building with a shed like an
exaggerated-coIlar about its throat. At
this hour there was no operator on
duty Garth saw a horse and carriage
at the rear. He walked to it.
Gould you drive me to Mr.. Andrew
A!den's place." he asked.
Probably you're the party I'm look
ing for. If you're Mr.. Garth from New
York, step in"
without warning. through an open
space Garth saw flame spring up
ward. tearing the mist and splashing
whats that" he asked sharply.
'fMr. Alden's furnaces" he answered.
Garth stirred.
+ ~ see. Iron, Steel And now it
= works night and day.
"op war orders" the native answered.
Hnsf snl