New Britain herald., 1922-03-04
How Mnlgc Eyadcd a Dangerous
 Question.
My fatherls address !

My fathers address
 At this request from the lips of the mysterious foreigner who had come to my aid upon the delayed and dark encd train, and who said that he was friend of my fathers, l inyolun- tarily stifened into snspicion--even though his request on the face Of il appeared 10 be only ruse to divert the curious attention Of the other pas sengers in the car,
 But l was on guard definitely. wondered if perchance his presence on the same train with me was a deliberately planned thing, in order to become possessed Of that carefully guarded secret. the address by which my father might be reached by me- only in the gravest emergency-whe he was engaged in his secret trips for the government.
 Not that I needed to be on guard against giving up that secret, l could not imagine any combination of cir cumstances which would permit that information to pass my lips to any one save another accredited agent of the government, like Lillian or Allen Drake. But the request made mo suspect the motives of the man who had asked it, and revived again the uneasy feeling l had had concerning him ever since his entrance into the train
 let no hint of my alarm escape me, however. Fortunately, l had in my memory an address in Washing ton which always had been my fath- CTS ostensible headquarters, and dictated it. slowly, painstaiingly.
 You will find him there," I said, ''or If he is not there, any message you leave will be promptly forwarded to him."
 He wrote it down as if much de- pended upon the accuracy of his tran scription. then he looked at me and l felt as though the eyes behind the thick lenses were gimleting my pre- tense. And l was sure was not mis- taken as to the sardonic little quirk to the mustached lips.
 Madge's Suspicion Grows.
 Ny felicitations to your father, Mime. Graham" he murmured. You are as discreet as you are quick witted. But, listen-the train is nov ing!
 It was indeed true. and for few seconds l forgot my disturbing re- factions concerning the mysterious foreigner in the joyous anticipation of being carried out of the terrifying tunnel. But 1t was a short-lived hope, o,.;, along for a few feet, then stopped, while the motor gave few discourag- ing thumps and also ceased function ing.
 Died at first :" A man near the front of the car chuckled apprecia- lively at his own gibe, and the men seated near him laughed perfunctor- ily. The voice of the little girl whose mother was keeping her occupied with wagers on the starting of the train carroled triumphantly:
 That's another penny you owe me, mother" and the mysterious foreigner smiled benignly at me.
 "The wonderful artessness of a child" he said. Which reminds me. Your own little one is well after his terrible experience of the spring."
 "Very well, indeed" I returned, and my suspicious wonder increased. The man knew and had filed in his mem- ory altogether too many facts about himself to be.
 Pardon me, I can guess that you do not wish to talk about so terrible a happening he went on, and my mind fastened mechanically upon the distinctly American guess" and as mechanically filed it away for future consideration. but l have-grand children--of my own"--did l imagine it, or was there another amused little quirk to the lips beneath that white mustache, ''and, naturally, horror seizes me at any mention Of kidnap- ping. And when I read the account of the outrage upon my old friends Erandson--I was in South America al the time, and the papers reached me after the whole thing was over-I was terribly shocked, and l always said that the man who did it was killed and his accomplice received long prison sentence, while there was men tion of a woman who escaped But her identity was not revealed, l have wondered often--tell me-was she not the guiding spirit in the affair."
 "If Only-'
 There was something inscrutable in his voice, which had hardened per ceptibly as he talked It was almost as if he had a personal antagonism toward the miscreants who had taken my boy. And there was an almost malevolent eagerness in his last ques- ton.
 But not with this stranger could l discuss that terrible blasting episode which had shattered my health and nerves for so long,
 "I have reason to believe so.' answered "But you will pardon me. | cannot refer to that time. It is too---horribe."
 "Oh :" he exclaimed contritely, "A thousand pardons. 1 will not offend again It must have been indeed horrible for you. If only"
 He shut his lips quickly as if he