Evening star., 1925-05-03

~ all uHSuCCeSSLul HlSlI "
NN the Office in SALISBURY
avenue, showed a disposi-
tion to linger. Miss Ann
Lancaster, who was not really busy,
leaned back in her chair with her
fingers resting idly upon the type
writer.
II am sorry about Mr. Rookie" she
said. He is very uncertain these
days"
Busy" her caller inquired.
Some special work" Ann told him.
Anything in my way?"
She shook her head.
Some documents in cipher which
one of our agents in Berlin came
across and sent to the foreign office.
What time do you close for lunch?'
Windergate asked.
About one, as a rule, was the
careless reply. I'VE have no fixed
hour"
Windergate coughed. He was a
self-contained. selfpossessed person.
but he gave the impression of being
a little nervous.
You wouldn't care to- wonder
whether you'd come and have lunch
with me-" he invited.
Ann was taken by surprise.
"It is very kind of you" she said,
hesitatingIy. Il don't bother about
lunch much. as rule"
We'll make up for it today. then
Windergate declared, recovering his
confidence. "We'll go to little quiet
place I know of. close here. Never
any crowd there"
Ann closed down her desk and put
on her hat.
TITS very nice of you" she re-
peated. Il am quite ready. You
realize, don't you, that l am in my,
working clothes?"
Windergate glanced at her once or
twice as they passed through the
streets, and his previous impressions
were all confirmed. She was dressed
possessed to the full that air of name
less elegance which is the heritage of
the chosen few of her sex.
Il love nice restaurants she con-
fided, as she unfolded her napkin.
i've only seen the outside of this
one"
Don't you ever go out to lunch
with Mr.. Rocke?" he asked,
Twice in my life she replied
"and then it was when we were work
ing together. AS a matter of fact"
she went on, Mr.. Rookie is very care
less about lunch. His latest fad is
that it's quieter in the office between
one and haf-past two"
Windergate, away from his profes-
sional atmosphere, was a very pleas
ant, almost an amusing companion.
Ann finished her coffee and cigarette
with regret.
'Trank you for an excellent lunch"
she said, as she drew on her gloves.
Il expect Mr.. Rocke will be back now
il you like TO come round and see
him
" think I will" Windergate ac-
quiesced. although I haven't any
C N-al- iffOTN NF,Tr. Mt 20
No news. l suppose
Her companion made little
grimace.
NO" he admitted. Il am afraid
this is one of those cases where
lunatic has proved himself cIeverer
than two sane men. We shall have
him some day, though
Il hope So" Ann PRAYED. with sud
den fervor
1T was the cunning of the lunatic
which helped him to evade u.s." Win
dergate observed. 1T will be the in
eyitable persistence of the lunatic
which will deliver him into our hand.
some day
THEY reached the block of build
ings in which Rockies offices
were Situated. Ann looked at the
board and found the key missing
He is here, then" she remarked.
as she preceded her companion to the
lift. Has Mr.. Rookie been in long?"
she asked the girl in attendance.
Cant say, MISS" the latter re-
piled. I've only just come on duty"
They stepped out of the lift at its
destination. and climbed the last
flight of stairs. Ann opened the door
Of the outer office, and, crossing the
room, threw, open the inner door.
Mr.. WinQergdte is here n see Won
Mr.. Rookie"
The figure seated at the desk made
no movement.
'Mr. Windergate-" Ann began
again.
Then, with little cry, she broke
off in her sentence. Something in the
limp, unnatural pose of the man
seated in the revolving chair sud
denly terrified her. She sprang for
ward, but Windergate was quicker.
He stood between her and the figure
at the desk.
Miss Lancaster" he said. "you
had better go back to your office. Try
and compose yourself. Ring up
Scotland Yard and ask for Harrison
and Kimball to be sent here at once"
Has anything happened to him?"
she asked, shivering in every limb.
II am afraid that he is dead"
Windergate answered gravely There
is a bullet wound through his temple.
But"
The connecting door leading to the
outer office was suddenly opened.
Rookie stepped in.
What's all this?" he demanded
irritably.
Daniel, Sir Francis Worton-com-
monty known as Q 20, the head of
the new Secret Service Department
represented by those mystic letters
and Windergate met. a fortnight
later, at the formers Office for an in
formal conference.
THE subject of my murder is nat
urally an interesting one to me-"
Daniel observed, as he swung round
in his chair and offered cigarettes to
the other two men. "Is it my fancy,
Windergate, or are you moving a
little more slowly in this matter than
usual? You can't afford too many
failures, you know"
Departmental jealousy again"
Windergate declared lightly. 'As a
matter of fact, we have gone a little
further than we have thought it wise
10 make public. I am now in posi-
ton to tell you the name of the man
who was shot in your chair"
Has any one identified him, them"
Daniel asked.
Not voluntarily" was the thought
full reply. "As you know, no papers
at all were found upon the dead man,
but a doll in a cardboard box was
discovered in his pocket. We made
inquiries among the London buyers
of such articles, and discovered one
firm who had just ordered a quantity
from a German agent visiting Lon
don. The rest was quite simple.
The mans name was Israel Kasters,
and he had a single room in a block