Evening star., 1922-06-08
~ INTERESTING story, this fish


remarked to Kennedy as l
sketched out the draft. of an expose
of high finance for The Sunday Star
Then that will interest you. also
said he, throwing a letter down on
my desk. He had just come In and
was looking over his mail.
The letterhead bore the name of the
Five-Borough Company. 1t was from
Jack Orton, one Of our intimates at
college, who was in charge of the
construction of a new tunnel under
the river. 1t was brief. as Jacks let
ters always were. II have a case
here at the tunnel that l am sure
will appeal to you. my own case, too,
it read "You can go as far as you
like with it. but get to the bottom OF
the thing. no matter whom II hits.
There is some deviltry afoot, and ap-
parently no one is safe. Don't say
a word to anybody about it, but drop
over to see me as soon as you possibly
can"
Yes" 1 agreed. that does interest
me. When are you going over?"
Now replied kennedy. who had
not taken off his hat. can you come
along?"
AS we sped across the city in
taxicab Craig remarked: Il wonder
what is the trouble? Did you see in
the society news this morning the
announcement of Jack S engagement
to Vivian Taylor, the daughter of the
president of the Five-Borough?"
l had seen it. but could not connect
| it with the trouble, whatever it was.
at the tunnel. though / did try to
connect the tunnel mystery with my
| expose.
F, We pulled up at the construction
works and strapping 1rishman met
| us. is this Prof. kennedy?' he asked
of Craig.
1T is. Where is Mr.. Orton's office"
I'm afraid, sir. il will be long
| time before Mr.. Orton is in his office
| again, sir. The doctor have just took
| him out of the medical lock. an he
| said if you was to come before they
! took him to the 'orspital ! was to
| bring you right up to the lock"
Good heavens, man, what has hap
| pened:" exclaimed Kennedy. Take
us up to him quick"
Without waiting to answer, the
Irishman led the way up and across
a rough board platform until at
last We came to what looked like
huge steel cylinder. lying horizontal
ly. in which was floor with cot
and some strange paraphernalia. On
the cot lay Jack Orton. drawn and
contorted, SO changed that even his
own mother would scarcely have rec
ognized him. A doctor was bending
over him, massaging the joints of his
legs and his side.
Thank you doctor doetof' 1 . fen a li,t!s tdI.,
want to go back into the lock again.
not unless the pain gets worse
His eyes were closed. but. hearing us.
he opened them and nodded.
Yes, Craig" he murmured with
difficulty. this is Jack 0rton. What
do you think of me? I'm a pretty
sight. How are you? And how are
YOU. Walter? Not too vigorous with
the handshakes, fellows. Sorry YOU
couldn't get over before this hap
pened."
glancing blankly from Orton to cle
doctor.
Orton forced a half smile. Just
in compressed air" he explained.
We looked at him, but could say
his engagement.
Yes" he added bitterly. 81 know
what you are thinking about. fellows.
Look at me, Do you think such
wreck as I am now has any right to
be engaged to the dearest girl In the
world?"
Mr. Orton." interposed the doctor,
81 think you'll feel better if YOU!
keep quiet. You can see your friends
in the hospital tonight, but for few
hours I think you had better rest
Gentlemen. if you Will be so good as
to postpone your conversation with
Mr. Orton until later it would ne
much better"
Then I'll see you tonight" said
Orton to us feebly. Turning to a tall.
spare. wiry chap, of just the build
for tunnel work. where fat is fatal.
first assistant. He will show you the
way down to the street again"
"Confound it," exclaimed Craig.
after we had left Capps. What do
you think of this? Even before We
can get TO him something has hap
pened. The plot thickens before We
are well into it. I think III not take
cab. or a car either. How are you
for a walk until we can see Orton
again?'
1 could see that Craig was very
much affected by the sudden acct
dent that had happened to our friend:
so I fell into his mood, and We walked
block after block scarcely eXchang-
ing a word His only remark. l re-
call. was, Walter. I cant think IT
was an accident. coming so close after
that letter" AS for me. 1 scarcely
knew what to think.
At last our walk brought US around
to the private hospital where orton
was. AS we were about to enter, a
very handsome girl was leaving Evl-
one Of whom she thought a great
deal. Her long fur coat was flying
carelessly. unfastened. in the cold
night air: her features were pale:
and her eyes had the fixed look OF
one who saw nothing but grief.
tarrih1a Miss T3ylOr' | hedrd
the man with her say soothlnglE'
"and you must know that / sympa-
thize with you a great deal
Looking up quickly. 1 caught slsnI
of Camps and bowed. He returned
our bows and handed her gently into
an automobile that was waiting:
HE might at least have intro
duced US" muttered Kennedy, as we
went on into the hospital.
Orton was lying in bed: white and
worn. propped up by pillows whlch
the nurse kept arranging g. "a ana RE re
Irishman whom we had seen at the
tunnel was standing deferentlaiiy
near the foot of the bed.
"Ouite a number of visitors, nurse.
for a new patient" said Orton, as he
welcomed US. First Capps and
Paddy from the tunnel, then Vivian
he was lingering some beautiful
roses in a vase on a table near him
"and now you fellows. l sent her
home with Capps. She oughtn.t TO
be out alone at this hour. anu Sapps
is a good fellow. Shes known MN
long time. No. Paddy, put down
by the way. fellows. is my right
hand man in managing the sand
hogs as we call the tunnel workers.
He has been a sand-hog on every thn.