Evening star., 1925-05-24

~ OLONEL Sir Francis Worton
X. c. B., d. S. O.. sometimes
known as Q 20-the abbre
~ waited designation of the
Home Secret Service Depart
ment, which he had 50 successfully in
Observation-Disclosures himself out ir
Daniel Rockies easy-chair.
Daniel" he contided, II admire
your secretary immensely.
you dor' Daniel exclaimed.
Il like her manners" Sir Francis
continued. II like her appearance,
like her taste in clothes, and l adore
the way she does her hair"
Am 1 TO understand, as you are
making me the recipient of these con
fidences," Daniel inquired. taking of
his glasses and wiping them. that
you are contemplating asking me for
her hand in MARRIAGE
Don't be foolr' was the prompt
reply. I'm the first place, if | wanted
to marry her. I should ask her, and
not you. And in the second place,
am, as you know, a confirmed old
bachelor l was thinking of inviting
her to lunch"
why not? Windergate was less
punctilous. He used to take her out
without asking me-"
Sir Francis was visibly annoyed.
Does he want to marry her?' he
inquired
II should say he probably does,
Daniel acknowledged.
His chief made little grimace.
We'll, he's Il goodlooking fellow
fair income and all the rest of it
Why doesn't she marry him.
Daniel stretched out his hand to-
ward the bell.
Shall we have her in and ask
her?" he suggested.
Don't be a fool.
Daniel relaxed a little.
LAS a matter OF fact he conhded
.I don't think Windergate or anybody
else will have much of Il look-in just
vet. I remember telling you her his
tory. She Is the daughter of the first
man whom Londe did away with
the first we know of, that is TO say
She doesn't think much of any OF
US for not having brought him TO booR
before this
Sir Francis nodded.
'I am not sure that l blame her
for being little disappointed, he
observed maliciously. You've had
that fellow cornered two or three
times and allowed him to get away.
Daniel smiled.
You have never been up against
a lunatic, have you
"A Iunatic," Sir Francis repeated
THAT ought to make it all the
easier"
You obviously haven't studied the
finer lights of criminology, Daniel
remarked dryly. "A clever man. who
Is mad on one point, and one only.
is the most dangerous in the world
to tackle
II should certainly accept the chal-
lenge," Sir Francis declared. with a
smile which only just escaped be
ing patroniZing.
You can accept it whenever you
like" was the calm reply. He Is
staying at the Magnificent Hotel at
Shoreborough."
There was a brief pause. Worton
failed to grasp the situation.
What do you mean?" he demanded
Precisely what I have said"
But If you know that he is there
why aren't you doing something about
IT."
I'VE did something about it each
time before" Rookie reminded his
chief, "and somehow or other we
didn't quite get our hands upon Londe
This time we must go more warily. =
How did you come by your infor-
mation?"
"Windergate discovered some time
ago that Londe will have the Lancet
every week, and will have 1t sent to
him direct. He's been on the wrong
track once or twice in hunting down
mysterious subscribers. This time
however, I rather think the finger
points the right way. The Lancet
is being sent to the Magnificent tc
a DIR. Benson. No such person is
known there, yet the paper is always
claimed"
Cant you have the place watched
by a local detective?" Sir Francis sug
gested.
I'VE had that done last week.
Daniel replied, little wearily. 'Tht
Lancet disappeared just the same
Sir Francis held out his hand.
"Pass me the time table," he begged