Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-01-12
CHAPTER II.

If were 10 try 10 analyze my feelings
toward Alstan Bourke when ! met her
next morning, I know l would make
jumbed 6zzle Of the attempt. In the
first place her confident athletic move
ments and the steady poise Of her shape
ly head assured me that she was an op
pouent worthy OF all my professional
wiles.
For there was no question in my mind
thar Miss Bourke was 80 league with the
Syndicate Merrlman had said that l
would find a co-worker on the Job. Miss
Bourke was without doubt the girl /
had recognized In the courtroom In Chi
cago. Therefore, according to every
day logic she was the other syndicate
representative ON duty at the Metro
poHtan And the very fact that she was
so close to President Evans was an added
reason for my conclusion.
And my conversation with her that
morning confirmed much Of my conjec-
ture. When ! reached the big dining
room found that Evans had already
breakfasted and was smoking on the
u idle front porch. Miss Bourke came in
as ] hesitated.
Good morning, Mr North. You're
early"
Not very Mr.. Evans seems to have
beaten US botn."
oh he's always early. He's the most
energetic man I ever saw"
The mothcrly Mrs. Cray hustled in
with the grapefruit
This is new one on me-" I ventured.
I'm not used 20 having my employer
put me IN his own home"
Miss Bourbe gave ripply little laugh.
"Oh that's his efficiency. He has 10
keep up with his business affairs. and
how could he DO Il better than to have
a competent man near him all the time ?"
ITO say nothing Of the private secre-
tary," 7 added.
Her level eyes sought mine across the
table For just an instant was sure
read a comradely message IN her regard.
Then she tossed her head.
I'm the Indispensable. I've been Mr..
Evans right hand for two years, He
says he couldn't get along without me"
II admire his good judgment" put IN
quickly. Then 7 almost jumped at the
chilly wave that passed over her face
But almost at once her displeasure
was gone.
You are from Chicago, Mr North -
"Yes-recenuy. I came from farther
east originally"
Were you long in Chicago1"
give years. I've got into the habit
Oh calling it home. Were you ever
there?"
I thought that she hesitated. but it
may only have been because I was look
ing for hesitation.
NO" she replied carelessly. I'm
native daughter"
Before we were through breakfast Mr.
Evans hobbled into the dlning-room.
How are you this morning. North ?"
He greeted me genially, Somehow he
seemed to regard me as a whole lot
more important that an ordinary bank
employe
After breakfast Mr.. Evans asked me
to accompany him to his office In the
little den of the parlor There ne in
structed me IN brusk businesslike sen
fences as to certain matters that he
wished me to attend to at the bank
Soon Miss Bourke came over to his desk
with q bundle Of letters.
Here's the correspondence regarding
the vaults" she said. II understood you
10 say that you wished Mr.. North to
take care Of that?"
"Oh, yes" He shuffled a file of letter
pages and turned to me You see I'm
not satisfied with our vault system It's
out OF date. There are dozen things
about It that are old fashioned, but the
fact that a safe expert opened It for me