Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-08-15
,...Yes-in .Yes-in Russia. I'm . trainet

people In my employ2"
Yes. I'm used to dealing with
. ITS a big job. Mr.. Nichols--a tick.
lish Kind Of a Job for a furriner--one
with some---er--unusual features---thnt
may call for-.er--a lot Of tact. And
-cr-courage."
It seemed to Peter that Jonathan X.
McGuire was talking almost at ran
dom, that the general topic of forestry
was less near his heart tonight than
the one that was uppermost In Peters
mind, the mystery that surrounded mn
employer and the agencies invoked to
protect him. 1t seemed as II he were
loath to speak of them, as II he were
holding Peter off at arms length, NO
to say, until he had fully made up his
mind that this and no other man was
the one he wanted, for all the while
he was examining the visitor with
burning, beady, gray eyes, as though
trying to peer into his mind.
I'm not afraid Of a forester's job,
enough" said Peter, still curious.
TAnd you're a pretty good man in a
pinch, mean" he put In jerklly.
you're not easy scared--don't lose
your nerve"
''1'll take my chances on that" re-
piled Peter calmly. "I'm used to COM
manding mon, in emergencies--if that's
what you mean"
YES. That's what I mean. Er--
you're IN Englishman. Mr.. Sheldon
says"
lishman," for this was the truth now
more than ever before, and then re-
pcated the story he had told in New
IL .,lx l. Ia, lK s,,
Peter was talking, Mcclure was pacing
up and down the room with short, nery-
Gus strides, nodding his head IN
understanding from time to time.
When Peter paused he returned to his
chair.
"You British are a pretty steady
lot" said Mcclure at last. II think
you'll do. like the way you talk and
like your looks. Younger than I'd
hoped, maybe, but then you're strong
Mr.. Sheldon says you're strong. Mr.
"Oh, yes" said Peter, his curiosity
now getting the better Of him: But
1t might be us well, Mr.. Mcclure. II
unusual, is to be required Of me. as
sumo that you want me to take COM
mand of the men policing your grounds
and immediate propertyT'
"Er-yes. That will have to be put
In shape at once-at once.' He leaned
suddenly forward in his chair, his hairy
hands clutching at his knees, while he
blurted out with kind of relieved ten
sion, mo one must come near the house
at night. No one, YOU understand -"
II understand, sir" said Peter,
waiting patiently for n revelation.
''There'll be no excuse if any one
r..
MISSION he snarled. And then al
most most ,,s ssullenly asain-"You UNDER
s,,,;I Perfectly, That should not be DIFF
1T may be more difficult than you
think" broke In Mcclure, springing to
his feet again, and jerking out his
phrases with strange fury.
Nothing IL to be taken for granted.
Nothing he ragged. Peter was silent
for a moment. watching MCGUIRE, who
had paced the length Of the room and
back.
II understand, SIR" he said at last.
But doesn't II seem to you that both
work with more intelligence IL we knew
just who or what Is to be guarded
against?' Mr.. MCGUIRE stopped beside
him as though transfxed by the thought.
Then his fingers clutched at the back
of chair, to which he clung for a mo-
ment In silence, his brows bcetling. And
when he spoke all the breath Of his
body seemed concentrated in a hoarse
whisper.
"You won't know that. You un.
derstand, / give the orders. You obey
them. am not man who answers
questions. Don't ask them"
hav O.
this thing you fear is human"
Human! A ghost! Who said I
was afraid? Sheldon? Let him think
t. This Is my business. There are
many things of value in this house."
and he glanced toward the safe. 'I'm
using the right Of any man to protect
what belongs to him."
II see," said Peter.
The mans tension relaxed as he
Called Peters coolness.
call 1t a fancy If you like. Mr..
he said wit III shrug.
"A man of my age may have fancies
when he can afford to crafty 'em."
Ihat.s your affair" said Peter
:ematic policing of the grounds Ia In,
irst thing I am to consider"
Exactly. The systematic policing Of
he grounds---the dividing of your men
nto shifts for day and night work
more at night than in the day. Three
more men come tomorrow. They will
I'll look to you for orders"
And who is In charge now"
"A man named Wells-a native-the
oreman from one Of the sawmils-but
Mr.. Nichols-I'm not
atisfed. That's why wanted a man
rom outside"
A. |
ne necessary orders to him?"
Wells was up here today. told
im.'
{ the house?" '''
Ten and with the three coming
hat makes thirteen-" NicGmire
you make the
he added.
Peter nodded. "And you wish me to
AXE charge at onceT'
"At once. Tonight. Tomorrow Won :
an look over the ground more care.
hlly. You'll sleep in the old play
csnS ThoI IoG .nn GaSinudown ID! by the
ected with this house by phone. III
nix to you again tomorrow you'd bet
Mcclure went to the door and called
ut ''Tillie!"
And as a faint reply was heard.
Get Mr.. Nichols some supper"
Peter rose and offered his hand,
"I'll try to Justify your faith In me.
r. Much obliged"
Good might"
Peter went down the stairs win
ingled feelings. II the words of Beth
ameron had created in his mind n no.
on that the mystery surrounding Black
ock was supernatural in character,