Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-03-14

mounted the stairs and returned TO her
bed. He stepped rapidly thea along
the hall, and opened the front door. .. :.
That you, Birdie?", he called IN q
A. mnn's form appeared from the
shadow Of the stoop.
Sure ~ the man answered.
'"Come in" DR.. Crang said terscly.
He led the way into the consulting
room. and slumped down again in his
chair.
'"well?" he demanded. '' .,
Peters arrived all right" Birdie
reported. % He registered at the Bayne.
Miloy Hotel. and he's there nov. :"
GOOD - srunted Crang.
chair. apparently utterly oblivious Of
the other. who stood. shifting a little
awkwardly from foot to foot, on the
opposite side of the desk.
Then Crnng spoke-more to himself
than to Birdie.
Hell be anxious. Of course. and
growing more so." he said. HE might
make n break Of some kind. III have
TO fix that. I'm not ready yet. What?"
Birdie, from staring namely at the
wall. came to himself with sudden
start at what he evidently interpreted
as a direct question.
Yes - sure!' he said hurriedly.
'No-1 mean. no. you're not ready"
Crang glared at the man contemptu-
ously.
'What do you know about IT." he
inquired caustically.
He picked up the telephone directory,
studied It for a moment. then. reach
ing for\the desk telephone. asked for
his connection. Presently the Bayne-
Miloy Hotel answered him. and he asked
for Mr.. r. l.. Peters room. A mo-
ment more. and voice reached him
over the phone.
quietly. mir. r. J.. Peters. Of San
Francisco? Yes? Then have a
message for you. Mr.. Peters. from the
person who sent you n telegram Il few
days ago beg your pardon?
Yes. am sure you do My
self? Id rather not mention any names
over the phone. You understand. don't
you?
He told me TO tell you that 1t Is
absolutely necessary that no connection
~ known to exist between you. and
for that reason he does not dare take
the chance Of getting into touch with
you tonight. but he will manage 1t
somehow by early afternoon tomorrow.
q" - What say? - " Yes. it is very
serious. otherwise he would hardly have
telegraphed YOU to come on from San
Francisco No. personally, ] don't
know. That was his message: but I
was also to warn you on no account to
leave your rooms. or have cOmmunica-
tion with anybody until you hear direct
Il I'm, y y i Ia 1o
particulars. I only know that he is
apparently in hole. and a bad one.
and that he is now afraid that you will
get into It. too Yes. You are
sure you fully understand? . No.
not at all. ! am only too glad. -
Good night"
Crang. with a curious smile on his
lips. hung up the receiver. He turned
abruptly to Birdie.
You get n taxi tomorrow. he said
brusquely. "Wc'll want it for two or
three hours. Slip the chauffeur what
ever is necessary. and change places
with him. See? You'll know where to
find one that will fall for that Then
you come here for me at--let's see
the boat sails at four-you come here
at half past one sharp. Get me?'
Sure" said Birdie. with grin.
THAT s cinch
IAN right. them Crang waved his
hand. Beat it,"
Birdie left the room. A moment later
the front DOOR closed behind him.
Crnng picked up the letter and exam
ined it critically. The lower three or
four inches Of the paper was slightly
crinkled; but quite dry now; the body
Of the original letter showed no sign
whatever of his work upon the lower
portion.
DR.. Crang nodded contentcdly.
lie rose abruptly. secured his sur
gical bag. and from II selected a lance.
With the aid of ruler and the keen
bladed little instrument he very care
fully cut away the lower section Of tho
paper. The slip containing the crs,-
while secret message he tucked away in
his inside pocket: then he examined the
letter itself again even more critically