The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1929-02-22
What the Gray House Hid


"You nave wronged me r she
shrieked. her black eyes flashing hate.
"Ah, hal muttered Adolf Smucker,
who had hitherto listened unsnceess2
fully. Pausing moment, be opened
the door, us the signal bell had com
manded him to. Apparently the
strange woman was placing under b
comprehensive curse Handy and all
that was his. Smucker gathered that
his employer was one of band of
hardened men whose entire energies
were expended in keeping Miss Sele-
nos from the Gray house.
You go there at your perill' she
shouted.
81 accept the risk" said Handy,
quite unruffled.
my vengeance will follow you.g
she added.
"DelightfuI!" Handy told her. Il
shall escape the monotony that my
friends prophesy."
Smucker. who was always nervous
in the presence of unusual violence,
almost admired Handy for his calm.
This way, madam" said Smoker.
He led her to the elevator. Mrs.
Smucker in her Weehawken home
would enjoy this. When the grille Of
the elevator door had closed upon
Miss Selenos and her pets, Smoker
went back to the Office smiling. Mrs.
Smucker would certainly enjoy this.
So would his old father, and the men
he talked to on the ferry. AS rule
they talked about taxing the rich.
Taxing the rich was a passion with
Smucker. and he pursued his hobby
viciously.
But Smoker did not catch his
usual boat 1t was late when he re.
turned to his home. By that time
the strange visitor and her pets had
been driven from his mind BY other
things. Outside the office big man.
red-faced and jocund. Slapped him on
the back.
Say" the stranger said, ''ain't yon
MIR. Hanby's confidential clerk?"
Smoker looked about him. NO
member of the office staff was visible.
YES" he said with confidence. Il
am. but you have the advantage of
me-"
Il want you to fix II so can get
word In private with the boss.
want to see him right away"
He goes home at half past four.
stay till six"
Il guess you have to. being his con.
tidential man." The stranger was evi-
IDENTIFY bordering over something df
importance.
do you happen to know II he's
considering purchasing big estate
up in Duchess county?''
He completed the purchase this.
afternoon" said Smucker.
The news Drought dismaV IN fha
red face or the stranger. AlmbstyN
seemed as II he suffered.
.AIy Cdr he cried. sAnd min
with a familyl"
why shouldn't he buy it," Smuck-
er asked Hes got the money, as
happen to know"
II can't tell you here" the other
replied: "but I'd like you to give him
a message from me before it's too late.
Had your dinner?"
mot yet"
SLOW about bite to eat now?"
Smucker considered the matter
with the elaboration that a contiden-
tial clerk might be expected to show
He was heavy eater when another
man footed the bill. but he was also
prudent. He did not feel drawn TO
this big, coarse stranger. Further
more, he wished to be sure that this
was a genuine invitation. II would be
of no advantage to pay for a meal
while In fair Weehawken pot roast
simmered for him.
Perhaps the stranger sensed the
economic struggle.
"This is on me-" ne explained.
'Why?" Smucker demanded.
Because ! guess you have your
boss interests at heart, and / want
you to tell him something. I'm pull
ing out for Chicago tonight. or I'd
tell him myself. It's warming"
''Some reference to disgraceful
paste" Smucker demanded eagerly.
"Some reference to hi of fu
ture. There's a place down here run
| by a pal of mine-not much to look
at but the planked steaks, oh, baby
| And there's some real beer that the
sailors smuggle in"
IF it is really important, | sup
pose | must consider the welfare of
my colleague before my own convent
ence."
Planked steak and real beerl Out,
id pot roast
Mr.. Smucker ate with the peculiar
ferocity that is sometimes seen In
| thin, understood men.
ITO BE CONTINUED.)