The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-05-12

rather str1dent voice, meant perhaps l to conceal the true state of his mind. Glad to see you, MT. Nichols. Thought you were never comin." he I terked out.
 ''I walked most of the way from l Pickerel River. Something went I wrong with the Lizzie.'' "Oh-er-Lizzie. The f1ivver! I | couldn't send my own car. I've got only one down here and might need 1 it."
 ''It doesn't matter in the least since Pm here" "Sit down, MT. Nichols" went on McGuire, indicating a chair. You've | been well recommended by MT. Shel- don. I talked to him yesterday over | long distance. He told you what I ! wanted 2"
 'Something Not much" said Peter ! with a view to getting all the infor- nation possible. You wanted a for ester-?"
 "Er-er-yes, that's it. A forest er." And then he went on haltingly I've got about 10000 acres here mostly scrub oak-pine and spruce. I've sold off lot to the governm ent. A mess of it has been cut there's been lot of waste-and the fire sea- son is coming around. That's the big job-the all-the-year job. You've had eXperience?"
 ''Yes-in Russia. I'm a trained woodsman"
 You're a good aIl-round man?'' ''Exa city what-?" began Peter.
 ''You know how to look after your self-to look after other men. to take charge of a considerable number of people in my employ?"
 ''Yes. I'm used to dealing with men"
 Its a big job. MT. Nichols-a tick fish kind of job for furriner-one with some-er-unusual features that may call for-er-a lot of tact And--er-courage It seemed to Peter that Jonathan K. McGuire was talking almost at random, that the general topic of for estry was less near his heart tonight than the one that was uppermost in Peters mind, the mystery that sur rounded his empolyer and the agen- cies invoked to protect him. It seem ed as if he were loath to speak of them, as if he were holding Peter off at arms length, so to say, until he had .sr made up his mind that this and no other man was the one he wanted, for all the while he was ex- amining the visitor with burning, beady. gray eyes, as though trying to peer into his mind.
 I'm not afraid of a forester's job, no matter how big it is, if I have men enough said Peter. still curious.
 And you're a pretty good man in pinch, - mean" he put in jerk fly, you're not easy scared-don't lose your nerve"
 ''I'n take my chances on that" re- piled Peter calmly. I'm used to com manding men. in emergencies-if that's what EClI
 "Yes. That's what I mean. Err you're an Englishman. MT. Sheldon says
 "Er-yes." said Peter, "an Eng ishman," for this was the truth now more than ever before, and then re- peated the story he had told in New York about his work in Russia. While Peter was talking, Mcclure was pac- ing up and down the room with short nervous 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. 'I think you'll do. I like the way you talk and I like your looks. Younger than I'd hoped. maybe, but then you're strong MT. Sheldon says you're strong, MT. Nichols
 
 now getting the better of him. "But 1t might be as well, MT. McGuire if you let me know just what. that is unusual, is to be required of me I assume that you want me to take command of the men policing your grounds-and immediate property ?''
 ''Er-yes- That will have to be put in shape at once-at once" He leaned suddenly forward in his chair, hfe 1,a asr-xr F.. <,I,, IL. II while he blurted out with a kind of relieved tension. '.No one must come near the house at night. No one, you understand-''
 'I understand sir-'' said Peter, waiting patiently for a revelation.
 'Therell be no excuse if my one gets near the house without my per mission" he snarled. And then aI- most sullenly again-"You under stand? ?'
 Perfectly. That should not be diff ficult to-
 '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 is to be taken for wrant- ed. Nothing" he ragged. Peter was silent for moment, watching Mo Guire, who had paced the length of the room and back.
 T understand. sir" he said at last "But doesn't it seem to you that both I and the man under me could do our work with more intelligence if we knew just who or what is to be guarded against ?' Mr. Mc(Suire stopped beside him as though trans fixed by the thought Then his fin gers clutched at the back of a chair. to which he clug for a moment in si- lence, his brows beetling. And when he spoke all the breath of his body seemed concentrated in hoarse whisper.
 You won't know that You un- .derstand. I give the orders You obey them. I am not a man who answers questions. Don't ask them" 'Oh. beg your pardon. So long as this thing you fear is Human"
 Humani A ghosti Who said T