The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-25

rom time to tune from wire basket at ms elbow. Opposite him, his back toward the entrance, was another man, equally red headed, but stouter and more bull-necked, engaged in the same occupation.
 ''Why, it is a newspaper office," cried Bristow.
 ''Sure-the Tribune, represented at police headquarters by yours truly, Vinciento Wig nolos, better known as the Count" replied the man in gray,
 "Then you are a reporter? And thought
 "That was anything from porch climber to a murderer" laughed the news paperman. "But I must see Frisbie-he's our city editor. After that I wish to have long and important talk with you.'
 He hurried over to the larger of the red headed men and the twain held brief col loquy, apparently explanatory on Vignolos' part and commanding on the side of the city editor. Then the reporter returned to Bris- tow.
 q have corking big story to write on this thing" he said. of you will come over ucIC tO ny oCSh Ne II tdih Wulc mdht tuC boss believe I'm working.''
 When they were seated and Vignolos had stuck sheet of "copy" paper into his type writer, he turned to Bristow.
 "Just what did you mean by trailing me out Central avenue?" he asked with startling directness.
 Bristow was confused and taken aback. He had prided himself in the belief that his shadowing had been unobserved by his quarry.
 q can answer your question better after you have explained to me why you were skulking about the premises of Dr. Selden's home in Laurens this morning" he replied, after moment.
 Vignolos leaned back in surprised amuse- ment. And you are the chap who caught me nosing around therev he exploded.
 q am. Will you explain why you were acting so suspiciousy and why you made your exit from the scene so expeditiously after you saw mel"
 Simplest thing in the world," grinned Vignolos. 'I was there on strictly legiti- mate business. The doctor was queer old duck, as you probably know I got the idea into my head that I could pry a good feature story out of him. A black-eyed woman, well trained I should judge, in shoo- ing book agents away from the house, handed me frost at the front door. I was merely hanging around in the hope of nail ing the old codger on the outside. Explana- tion satisfactory?"
 "All but the fact that you fled when came along.'
 "I took you for reporter on the Star. I did not care to have any of that crowd get wise to what I was after They're a dirty set-those Star men-always putting in,' explained Vignolos.
 "And I followed you as soon as the in quest was over, firmly convinced that you were the murderer of Dr, Seldom said Bristow.
 Vignolos regarded him quizzically for a moment, then extended his hand.
 Shake, old man." he said. "No hard feelings on my part, I assure you."
 They clasped hands with the warmth that comes from explained misunderstanding and mutual admiration.
 Introduce yourself" suggested Vignolos, after these amenities had been accomplished.
 My name is Bristow-Gordon Bristow."
 .I knew it all along," said the news paperman, with a strange and manifest re- lief in his voice. q was merely trying to see whether you would deny it or not" he added seriously.
 ''Deny it?" said the attorney in wonder ment. Why should I deny my identity, I wonder?"