Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-02-16
WILLIAM JOHNSTON
Author of 'The House of Whispers and
trict was a novelty for her. On tn

trict was a novelty for her. On the
few previous excursions of the sor,
she had made she always had been
accompanied by one OF her parents.
She found herself wishing now that
h had taken her father int her con
tidence and had asked him to go with
her. Making shopping heriexcuse h
had come downtown with Mr.. Strong
but had gotten off at Astor Place, and
waited over for another train.
In her hand she held the card
man the afternoon before. AS she
studied it now her curiosity came to
the rescue of her fast-oozing courage.
She must find out what it all meant,
whatever the risk or peril that might
confront her. Boldly she returned to
Room 7OS and opened the door. An
office boy seated at a desk looked UP
inauiringly.
'Is Mr.. Fleck in she inquired
timidly.
who wishes to see him?"
Just say there's a lady wishes to
speak to him." she faltered. hesitat-
ing to give her name.
Are o Miss Strong?" asked the
boy abruptly, because, if you are,
he's expecting you"
She nodded, and the boy, jumping
up. escorted her into an inner room.
AS she entered ~nervously an alert
looking man, with grazing hair and
mustache, rose c~ourteously to greet
her. In the quick glance she gay at
her surroundings she was conscious
only of the great mahogany desk at
which he sat and behind it some fill
ing cabinets n a huge safe, the out
err doors of which stood open.
"Sit down, won't you, Miss Strong
he said. placing a chair for her.
His manne and his cultured tone.
everything about him, treasured her
at once. They conveyed to her that
he was what she would have termed
"a gentleman" and with q little sigh
of relief she seated herself.
I'm afraid" said Mr.: Fleck, smil-
ing, that Carter's method of ap-
preaching you must have alarmed
vou."
"carter- oh. the black-mus-
tached man."
Eyes. that describes him. You sec
he did not wish to act definitely with
out consulting his chief, yet. the un-
expected opportunity seemed far too
vital not to be utilized. He did moi
explain, did he, what it was we want
ed Of you?" p
Indeed he didn't" said Jane, now
wholly herself. HE was most mys.
teri0us about it."
Mr.. Fleck smiled amusedly.
Garter has been an agent so long
that being mysterious is second ma
IAN agent-I don't understand"
"a department agent" %explaine,
Mr.. Fleck. adding, engaged in secret
service work for the government"
James, exclamation was not &C
much Of surprise as Of delighted
realization. and the satisfaction ex.
pressed in her face was by no means
lost on Mr.. Fleck.
i "Would you object" he asked
moving his chair a little closer te
hers; "if, before I explain why you arr
here. I ask you q few Questons-ver,
personal questions?"
"Certa1nly not" said Jane.
"You are American-born, Of
course"
"Oh. yes"
And your parents7"
American for ten or twelve gen.
erations."
How long have you lived in tina,
apartment house on Riverside
Drive?"
For about 1--WE years"
do yon know any Of the other ten
ants In the house?
\ "NO-tha u, none personally"
IFS your time fully occupied
"No. indeed It isn't. I've nothing t.
do at all, nothing except to try t.
amuse myself"
Good" said Mr.. Fleck. NOV
would you be willing to help in some
secret work for the United States
igovernment. some work Of the very
highest importanceY
Would II" cried Jane. her eye.
shining. "Gladly! Just try me-"
:. ON s answer t9o e n%ack'y wv, warn.
real work. serious work, not Away,
pleasant. sometimes possibly . little
perilpus. Remember. too. II must be
done with absolute secrecy. You
must not let even your parents know
that you are WORKING with ~. You
must pledge yourself to breathe ne
word Of what you are doing OF are