Evening star., 1927-04-28

been the big news of the morning. and
although he had dealt as sketchily as
possible with the girl and her expert
ence, he had left no doubt in the read
er's mind that her disappearance from
London for three days was directly
associated with the murder of Brother
John.
Not that I'm sure about that" Bill
said when Bullott had returned and
showed him the paper. when we
can persuade this young lady to tell
us her dreams we shall probably form
another opinion. You got a good
roasting from the morning papers,
Bullott. What do they say at head
quarters?"
Bullott turned up his thumbs sug-
gestively.
1.-THE opposition is organized, of
course said Bill, laying down the
paper, ''and that brings me down to
Latin. There is Latin touch in that
stuff that can't be mistaken. And if
you want news here's an item that'll
tickle you to death: La Florette, the
dancer, has taken Lord Towncester'S s
house in Portman place for the sea-
son and is entertaining on large
scale prior to her departure to Winter
in South America You don't see
anything funny about It? / do! Flor
ette is nearly broke, so is Van Campo.
The failure of his last show has
brought more creditors to his door
step than he can accommodate. A
years rent of that Portman place
house is about $4,000; it will cost
5000 a year to run-and that is with
out etceteras."
Bullott was only mildly interested.
That's her trouble" he said.
And yours, too,' said Bill, and be-
fore he could explain what he meant
Bullott's housekeeper announced a
visitor.
1t was Mr.. Pawter, Bills relative
and former employer, and in the quiet
eyes that cleaned behind his thick,
horn-rimmed glasses was ghoulish
satisfaction.
This comes Of leaving the innocent
pursuits of commerce, William" he
said, glancing approvingly at the
white-bandaged head. eff you had
remained at Pips you would not have
been shot up"
"How the devil did you know was
shot up" asked Bill in astonishment.
1T has just come on the street, in
the later editions said Mr.. Pawter.
THAT is why 1 called
x* X
BY this time Bullott was halfway
down the stairs to his telephone. He
had many friends on the press, and
his first call was at the Evening
Gazette.
"It came through On the tape" said
the news editor reproachfully. You
off
What agency sent it out?" demand.
ed the inspector.
"The Central Association"
Fortunately, Bullott had friends at
this court also, but they could give
him little satisfaction.
I'VE had a phone call this morning
saving Holbrook was shot, and one OF
our reporters saw the hallkeeper in
Albermarle street and interviewed the
doctor who attended him.
There's a very busy news giver
wandering round" he said when he
returned to Bill and told him the re-
suit Of his Investigations.
"It doesn't matter except to you"
said Bill. Il presume the idea of
spreading the report is to discredit
you still further 'as a sleuth."
They can go right on discrediting," p"
Sd1Q builOLL WIFI quiet
Il don't suppose that it matters. The
chief has given me a new as
sistant--" he glanced at Mr.. Pawter,
listening, open-mOuthed, and decided
that it was not moment for con-
fidences.
ITO me the whole thing is mex
plicable" Mr.. Pawter felt called upon
to utter a few platitudes. I'm fact,
| everything that has happened to me in
| the last few weeks has been ineXplica-
| bic. Take Latin and his desk and the
| red. haired girl in the window. ISM
| that remarkable? And what is more
| extraordinary than the terrible mur'
/ der we read about in the newspapers
| a few days ago? The newspapers
| seem to think that the officer in
charge Of the case
let me introduce you to him,
smiled Bill Holbrook, 'and for
/ heavens saks. think for yourself
Pins AS long as I've known you your
mind has been a distorted reflection
Of your favorite leader writer"
/ "Humph"' said Mr.. Pawter, obvious
lv embarrassed. "I--er--of course
did not know that this was Mr.. Bul
lott. I always thought his name wa:
Bullock"
His faux pas had the effect Of has
tening his departure.
Remember, William, there is
desk for YOU at Pips whenever yol
wish to return. Mr.. Lambert stone
has very kindly placed his sellint
campaign in our hands, and l shal
be glad to arrange your return on
new salary basis
X X
"That is Father Pips," explained
Holbrook, when his relative had gone
"Pawter's Publicity Agency. My re
spected cousin, a bachelor, has nj
criminal tendencies so far as / know
except a passion for gramophone mu
sic, and not even remotely connected
with the Proud Sons of Ragousa--'
That's where you're wrong" saiC
Bullott. Hes the seen prior of tha
exalted order"
THE seen prior? What are you talk
ing about2t