Evening star., 1923-08-22

solemn faced houses, Immediately
cared for, and of the utmost respecta-
bility. 1t was a block. Greg guessed,
that would be an silent and undis-
! turbed as desert after midnight.
Number All on the north side of the
street differed in no respect from it's
neighbors on either hand. There
| was not even a doctors sign in the
window.
AS Greg had expected, de Socotra's
cab was waiting below the door.
Greg had Hickey continue to Column
bus avenue and stop in front of a drug
store. Pa Simmons passed them bounu
| In the other direction. and drew up a
| little beyond de Socotra's cab. Leaving
Hickey on watch, Greg went into the
| drug store to fish for little informa-
tion.
He said to the clerk: TN looking
for DR.. Tasker's sanitarium, but I've
| forgotten the number"
! -Four eleven, sir You can see it from
the side door"
"Do you know anything about the
| place." Greg pursued. 81 mean, what
sort Of reputation 1t bears?"
The very best!' was the impress
sive reply. The clerk was Il young man
without humor. They never have any
trouble there. Why. it's run so quiet.
so discreet, half the people In the block
don't know we have a private asylum
| mean IL psychopathic sanitarium-in
our street. They put the mild cases
in the front rooms so they don't have
! to bar the windows The back windows
Us barred all right The nurses are
real ladies and gentlemen: no rough
work there. Have you got case for
them"
I'm afraid so," said Greg. signing
Well, it's great misfortune-bu
you couldn't do better You might
! mention | recommended them If you
don't mind. One good turn deserves
| another. I'm anxious to get more Of
their business. Heavy users of bro
mides. you understand"
"Bromides - the word rang ominously
on Greg's hearing. Otherwise dope.
! Strait jackets had evidently given way
! to more efficient methods.
clerk went on. Steep They say the
board is fifty dollars a week. and up"
Greg shook his head sadly. That's
terrible However. I'll inquire" he said.
Greg bought some cigars, while the
clerk continued his gossip, but Greg
learned no more to his purpose. Finally
he saw Hickey making unostentatious
signals, and went outside. Hickey re-
ported that de Socotra had come out
OF All and had driven west. Pa Sim
mons had gone after him.
eve must kill time for awhile"
Greg said. 1t would look too miracu-
lous II we turned up one minute after
de Socotra had left"
nights out" Hickey suggested.
IAN right. Find the nearest garage,
| and fill her up"
| A quarter OF an hour later Greg was
! ringing the bell of All. His heart was
| beating fast. He had no idea OF what
, he was going to do when he got inside.
| but left II to circumstances to dictate.
The door was opened by neat
colored maid who suggested we'll run
private house rather than an institution.
| R,.r fsrt,t ytNA tl.n
place. She was smiling and respect
! full. vet there was guarded look in
her eyes which suggested that they were
accustomed to sights that she kept to
"Dr. Tasker doesn't live here" she
said. He only has his visiting hours.
| DIR. Emslie is the resident"
| Il would like 10 see him." said Greg.
AS he stepped into the house, he OBJ
served that an arch had been cut
| on the left, thus throwing the two
| houses into one. He was shown into
| rather luxurious Office at the back in
which a blonde, bearded man was work
! ing at a desk. However, the eagerness
with which he looked up suggested
that he was not very closely absorbed
| in his work.
He was handsome man, yet Greg
| instinctively disliked him. He was too
fat, too red-lipped. too anxious to please.
| Greg's involuntary verdict was: TOO
soft to go out and work up a practice
| for himself. so he takes an easy thing
| like this. This man would close his
| eyes to anything in order not risk
losing his job" Greg made up his mind
| that the truth would not serve here.
| and he essayed the role of the sad
dened relative again.
'T have just learned that my poor
cousin has suffered Il nervous break
| down and has been brought here he
! said
| "Ah," said DR.. Ensie orotundly
| What name. please" He opened a book
on his desk. sort of ledger. This was