Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-19
Continued from Yesterdays Star,
E,STALLMENT XIII.

n beard has grown out so
NV to pretty we'll disguise
him. And so long as he
doesn't forget that hold
the vital link in his career"
you've reformed hlm?"
1--WE bargained with him. Every
night he spends two or three hours in
the company of Jesse James and the
Younger boys. He's happy-and I'M
prisoned for life-just where 1 want
him when I reach certain experiments
1 plan"
with him an experiment. A link in his
career, eh? A missing link? Have you
got missing link in mine. Brainard?
Are you holding me to experiment on?"
only until have time to trace you,
Rip. Are you sure you want to know
your past?"
IT can wait. But how did you-hoW
did you keep Honer's whereabouts Sc
cret?"
"Oh, helped him cut of the closet
while the rest of y'u were thinking
about fainting girls"
And then recorded all the events
around the place-eXc(Nt In front of
the map closet?"
Exactly. Nobody gil ssed what I
withheld. Nobody will guess what ]
choose to Withhold-wheneye ]
choose"
well, WE'LL" said Van Wrinkle again.
And the bombs he stole?"
Il persuaded him to bring them back.
Il see-you have remarkable persua-
sive powers
He started to turn away. but at the
moment knock sounded at the door.
At Brainard's call one of his secretaries
opened. She was a young Diana for
supple grace. She crossed the floor
with what any man might consider a
stride. She always came to within
arms length to deliver a message,
Brainard had noticed. He smiled at it
now. Even Van Wrinkles presence made
no difference. A man who had power
could have most other things he
wanted!
"Mr Mortimer and Mr.. Ballard of
Complete Illusions to see you," she an
nounced with gravely respectful con-
centration upon his wishes.
ASK them to come in," said Brainard
There were few moments in his life
that held the honey for him that this
one had. mo. don't go. Van," he
added as the other man started to leave
the room. And then he wondered what
the impulse was that had prompted
such thing. Was it that he felt the
need of friendly supporter merely de-
sired witness?
Ferdinand Mortimer was a heavy
man in suit that was tailored to him
like sheet metal sheathing: it looked
as If 1t might not bend when he sat. He
had pink, pendulous creeks--crab-ap.
pie pink-and purple eyes. He hae
been a gorgeous leading man in thu
days before he had developed a geniu,
for prehensible finance. He walked a:
If his feet were about as timber q.
shoe trees. He gave the effect other
wise of something physically so soft
that it had to be truSSed up to the last
degree to get about.
Gerry" Ballard was tall and slim
and old-rose -colored like a fresh.
shaven Yankee horse trader who had
been out in a frosty wind. Brainard
made his own comparisons, and was
aware that, If horse traders were now
rare birds, SO also were Jerry Bal
lards. The epithet bird" so aptly
fitted him that you thought of tai
feathers when he drew aside the skirts
of his long coat to take chair.
We'll, Mr.. Brainardl" said Morti-
mer with look which many a lesser
man had taken for difference. He had
nothing to add. except this eloquent
look from his deep lustrouS eyes.
Good morning, gentlemen. Van
Of my desk there. Will you sit down.
gentlemen-or shall we stand a mo-
ment here by my Window"