Evening star., 1925-05-03

OlilCe mas consisted IN QeclpnerlnS
some secret correspondence which
was seized by one of our agents in
Berlin. Occasionally l have brought
some of the less important documents
to work on here. kasters evidently
got to know of that and came with
the idea of purloining them. You will
remember that a small Jimmy was
found upon him.
Worton nodded thoughtfully.
You and | know the truth,
Daniel" he pointed out, $50 it is per-
haps only fair to take Windergate
into our confidence. These docu-
seized and handed over to the foreign
list of places where secret stocks
of arms exist in Germany. A Ger
man agent over here would certainly
think il worth while to go to any
length to regain possession of them. :"
Il quite see that ,Windergate
agreed. The presence of the muir
dered man in this office is now ex-
planned. But why was Kasters muir
dered-and by whom
The first thing one. has TO make
up ones. mind about" Worton re-
marked. lis whether he was shot as
Israel kasters or in mistake for
Rookie. When the blinds are drawn
here the light is very bad, and any
one entering from this door. and
shooting from a few yards away,
might easily have thought that the
person seated at the desk was the
natural occupant of the ROOM"
Il think we may accept the fact"
Windergate observed. that a man
coming here with the idea of murder
ing Mr.. Rookie might have shot the
~ l. 1 !
complishing his purpose But have
you any enemies likely to go to such
extremes"
Il can't imagine that l have" he
admitted. The only really dangerous
person l can think of. who. l know
wouldn't hesitate to commit murder,
is the man who slipped through our
fingers at Salisbury Plain. We're not
on his track, though, so it seems an
absurd thing to imagine that he
should risk his life and liberty in this
fashion,
MY people have been watching a
house in Hampstead in connection
with the affair" Windergate inter
vened. IF we are on the right track.
he might easily have imagined that
you were concerned in it,
x = x x
A Nm knocked at the door and en-
tered. There is Il young person
here who wants to see you. Mr..
Rookie" she announced. Il think she
has something to say on the subject
which you are discussing"
SHOW her in at once" Daniel di-
rected.
The three men looked up curiously
as the young woman was ushered in.
She was good-looking in a somewhat
bold fashion.
II want to speak to Mr.. Rookie"
she announced.
II am Mr.. Rookie" he told her.
What can / do for you?'
Il have something to say to YOU"
the girl replied, staring at him in
somewhat puzzled fashion. Il have
been expecting to hear from you for
days"
From me?" Daniel repeated. But
why?"
The girl shrugged her, shoulders
IN see you another time. You're
busy now"
She turned away. Daniel held out
his hand.
Stop a minute" he begged: Il
didn't recognize you at first. You're
the lift girl. aren't you2"
Not so much lift girl. if you please"
head. II and another young lady
have run the lift here since the build
ing was turned into offices. It's my
afternoon out, so thought I'd just
pop up and have word with YOU
Another time will do
Look here" Daniel said, Il don't
quite understand you. These gentle
men are quite as much interested in
the affair as l am. If you have any
thing to say, now is the time
Are you bluffing?" she demanded.
Il certainly am not" Daniel re-
piled. IF there's anything you know
about this affair, now is the time to
tell it to u.s.
The girl swung round on her heel.
Thank you" she concluded. III
choose my own time
She pushed her way out of the Of
flee. They heard the outer door close
and her footsteps on the stairs.
That Young woman knows some
thing" Windergate remarked.
The queer part of it is,' Daniel OBJ
served, that she appears to think
do, too"
Windergate, on his way out into
the street, found their recent visitor
studying the name-board. He raised
his hat.
Il saw you few minutes ago in
Mr.. Rockies office"
"Oh, you were one of them three
were you?" she remarked
Il wonder whether you would favor
me with a few minutes converse
tion?" he suggested. Just a cup of
tea over at that little place opposite"
he urged. Il won't keep you long"
She looked at him doubtfully.
You won't make yourself a nui-
sance asking too many questions?"
she demanded.
II shall probably forget to ask any
questions at ALL" he assured her tact
fully.
The girl passed out into the street
by his side.
1--WE won't go there" she said, in
the tea shop to which he
had pointed. There's a nicer one
farther down"
Wherever you say" Windergate
agreed cheerfully.
= :: !: !;
THEY entered the tea room of her
choice and found a sufficiently re-
tired table. Windergate was shrewd
enough to avoid all reference to the
subject on which he desired informa-
tion until the meal was nearing CON-
pletion. He learned that his COM
panion's name was Rose Paxton;
"A