Evening star., 1923-02-09


hook, and a few moments later re-
leased it,
Hang up" directed the voice of
Jimmy. Something doing. I'll call
YOU.
CHAPTER NNIII
THE BREATH OF FAILURE.
Rennison replaced the receiver on the
hook and waited. Nervy and re-
sourceful as he was. he was becoming
more and more conscious of sense
Of failure The death OF Storrow had
fairly dazed him, and he WAS still
combating the depression resulting
from this when Slade had informed
him that. yielding to representation
of some unidentified enemy who was
ma&querading as Rennison. the act
ress had been lured from her apart
ment under the very eyes of Rcnni-
sons assistants, and now was i'll the
hands of pitileSs enemieS--thoS" VINO
had given to her the flower OF I'M
mortality" and who had SO mystic
riouSly slain Hayden Storruw while
he was seated alone in his own limou-
sine.
Rennison's disordered thoughts were
put TO flight by several faint strokes
of the telephone bell. He placed the
receiver to his ear.
Hello" he said.
Who's that?" quericd Jimmy's
voice.
"Robinette"
"Par,y's been talking" Jimmy said
wire before | connected him with
RaCeCraft. He was i'll the Hotel
Flanders, Baltimore. I'll get his de-
"trood. Jimmy. What did he say!'
scription later.
"Ill read you what ! wrote down.
was Mr. IIorsford. Baltimore asked.
Know my voice. Racecraft said.
'Frobisher-of course Then Ealti-
more said. IT'S got to he done. Tn"
hour is > You'll be there" He
spoke sort of angrylikc--as if he
was giving an order Then Racecraft
said. It's after midnight now. may
not be back before daylight. That's
fool business. You know the kennel
is wide open and the big dog is rang
ing free. We've had proof tonight
that he's getting mighty Close
Baltimore sort of laughed and said.
The government is big enough and
strong enough to protect its own.
Don't be afraid of dogs. But make
no mistake about being on hand at
g. Then he hung up"
"All right, Jimmy" Rennison said.
where is the regular switchboard
man."
"Sleepins-on a couch over in the
corner. II he was awake, though, he
couldn't hear what | said. I've been
talking too low"
Well, keep charge of the board
until 9 o'clock. Its a long drive for
you. but you'll get we'll paid for il.
Let it be known you are there by
Col. Hawkshurst's orders"
Right. sir" Jimmy sighed. I'll
have a description Of that fellow who
talked from the Flanders when YOU
call again"
Thanks. Jimmy
Rennison hung up the receiver and
CROPPED his way TO the door. In the
hall he found the watchman. who had
admitted him to the room. AS he
slipped Il bill into one of the hands
OF the watchman he said:
Much obliged to you. Barlow. But
not word Of this to any one.
Not a word, captain" replied the
man. smiling, as h" nodded his
thanks.
Rennison left the building by the
basement door he had entered and
hurried on to the sidewalk. The Ave
nue. was deserted. and as he crossed
il quickly toward Lafayette Square
he listened apprehensively for the
sounds of the taXicab he knew had
been waiting in front of the build
ing's main entrance. All was still
At length. however. he reached a
point which commanded d view Of the
front of the department building.
There he saw the taNicab. standing
opposite the wide tight of steps lead
Ing up to the main entrance. The
lights of the vehicle showed il was
facing Pennsylvania avenue.
I:ennison's next thought was of the
ia xicab he had directed Coughlin TO
hurry to the square. He mad not eX-
pected to see it in full view at the
corner. Of course. and for a couple
Of minutes the trees and shrubbeTy
of the park prevented him from
locating ahy waiting vehicle on the
street toward which he was heading.
Not until he had crossed the square
and was about to step out on the
sidewalk did he sec the dark outlines
Of IA taXicab on tn" farther side of the
street The chauffeur WAS unknown
20 INN. but Towndrow. seated ins de.
hailed him.
We'll" said Towndrow. you've
beaten US TO 1t.
IS Henntson stepped in. the chauf-
feur swinging around on his seat,
addressed the secret service man.
Its Off he said.
Wait until YOU are sure Of it's
direction. then follow it," Rennison
directed. Don't get too close. but
make sure II doesn't shake you Off
III hang to it, all right" the man
assured MIN. as ne peered thrOug n
little rift in the foliage. One hand
! was on the steering wheel. and his
manner yas alert. 4 moment later
! he was in action. It's heading along
; the other side of the square" he said
! The car began to move. Instead of
attempting to make turn the
! chauffeur headed toward Pennsyl-
! van;a avenue. then past the White
! House grounds. and, rounding the
, farther corner of the square moved
! rapidly along the course taken by
, the other taxicab.
i Rennson and Towndrow. on the
: rear seat. saw the taXicab ahead oi
! them. Once it disappeared around a
! corner and the chauffeur of the pur-
! suing vehicle put on more power
! The leader quickly was sighted again
| however, as it sped on toward
| Thomas Circle. Just above this il
, turned into l. street
' He's going to his home" Rennison
! said. and Towndrow fancied there
was a note of disappointment in his
! voice.
! Where were you expecting him tC
! so?" the secret service man asked
/ with some Of his wonted gruffness.
| He'll be headed for Baltimore
| within twenty minutes, and we must
! follow him." Rennison replied in q
| low voice. He then left his seat. and