Evening star., 1921-01-02

Mr. Ellins is gain at it kind OF
bored. "Ah. here is Torchy" says he
We'll, young man, l suppose by this
time you have learned how to deciphel
the mysterious code?'
Yes. SIR says l.
"Eh?' says he.
you have? Truly" asks Piddie.
Very simple" says /. Got an
X.YZ. typewriter in the office?"
II think so.'' says Piddie. That
is. one of the typists. Miss Kirke
brought one with her, and-No, now
remember. l made her take it home
and told her she must use one of the
office machines. But 1 could borrow
one on the next floor"
"Get it," says Old Hickory.
In three minutes Piddie is back ant
hangin' around with his eyes bulged
But | had hunch I'd better have
not have Piddie goin' up in the all
right in the midst of my defnonstra-
tion. So ! suggests that we have {
private session.
"Tll call you in later. Mr.. Piddie.'
says Old Hickory.
And say. when I've explained the
code and showed him how 1 work
out that Beware the first of March
line, the boss looks mighty serious
You see he happened to be dowr
town last summer when they blew uI
the Morgan building. and he's beer
skittish about such things ever since
/ don't know as you can blame him.
''Hah" says he. 81 don't like the
looks Of this, Torchy. First of March
Ell? Not so far off. but time enough te
take precautions. Now what about
this last message? What does tha
say?'
'I'Il have to run it through the
IL
And he leans over my shoulder as
I pick out. letter by letter. the men
acin' missive. This is what it was:
Piddie is big stiff.
"Wha a-a-at! he snorts. Sure that's
right. young man."
He amt satisfied. either, until
shows him how to get the same thing
himself Then he leans back and
chuckles.
Just tomfoolery." says he.
"Uh-huh'" says . ]. :. Locks Locks like IKE
Piddie's Angora."
still" says he. that is nonsense
Of rather a disagreeable kind. If
thought it was one of those young
clerks in the bond ROOM
IT doubt it." says I.
"I think I got clue" says I:
Follow it," SAYS he. turnin' back
to his loaded desk.
So that noon / fingers around until
nearly everybody has gone out to
lunch but a few Of the lady typists.
Among the sandwich chewers is Miss
Kirke. She's a pale-haired, big-eyed
little thing, with not much style to
her get-up. Amt been with the Cor
rugated more'n a couple of months
and I hadn't noticed her much.
drifts over to her little desk sort of
casual and stands watchin' her for a
minute without saying a word.
eyes. sir?" says she. lookin' up.
you're clever with the keys. I
hear" says !.
She gIances up at me puzzled and
then shrugs her shoulders careless.
II can't imagine who could have told
YOU that" says she. Not Mr.. Piddie,
NO" says I. "Just doped it out
for myself But why shouldn't Pid-
die tell it?"
She Just laughs easy, elevates that
snub nose Of hers bit. and remarks:
"oh, I'm not prime favorite of his.
He's always calling me down for
something or other.
THAT so?' says I. "And what's
your notion Of an accurate descrip-
tion of him? A big stin. eh?"
That Jared her 2 little. but IT. about % at
that them light-blue eyes Of hers could
stare cool and impudent. She was
giving me the benefit OF that kind of
a look. $50 long as you've asked"
says she. that might be about it"
I. "But what about the first of
Left her with her mouth open, that
lab did. IT beg your pardon?" says
no use stallin. around. Miss
happen on the first of March,"
why" says she. openin' her eyes
wide, "that's my birthday"
.Ohv' says I. "And for fear Pid-
die would forget to present you with
bunch Of orchids or something, iiks
I'll that ,,s soS Sats had En-, e. *eep re"ina'n him
She shakes her head. II should
call that taking q long chance" says
she. zone reminder and I'd be
fired"
didn't you?" l asks.
Which gets her pink in the ears
"Oh.' she squeals. why. I neve,
thought he'd have bean enough to die
it out"
he could pass 1t on. you know."
Did her says she. Why. I never
IL
you deciphered it. How clever!"
"Just stumbled on it." says I. ':Mr
Ellins put 1t up to me-"
'sThe main stem" says she. "oh
well. I suppose it's all over with
then. Erm let out. take it,
Looks like you'd get the gate,
says L 'But there amt been de.
cision yet. I've got to report. you
understand"
"oh. certainly" says she. startin
to collect her things from the desk
drawer.
Maybe you wouldn't mind" says
I, "clearin' up few points. Fol
instance, why did you sign the last
one Reney"
That's what they call me at home, >
says she. my names Irene"
Same as the musical show. eh ?
said I. ''Now one more: What start
ed you picl1in' on Fiddler"
because he picked on mo first
It seems enjoyed him by the way
I looked At him. But I couldn't helr
that, could I? Yet he kept finding
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