The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-10-28

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 II, downtown"
 well, what's the meaning of that, I wonder?" he asked the girl who had been with him for many years, and had known his late client.
 i've thought of several things, but of course it may just be that some old friend has got around to wondering why he hasn't heard from Peter Everett lately"
 "Yes, but I think there's some- thing more to it. I'll keep it here on my desk. Anything else in- teresting in the column?"
 "No, nothing today"
 "All right, thank you," and Giles Harding turned to his mail. But his thoughts were with the advertisement. Picking up the clipping, he suddenly decided to call Miss Cranston. Gail must be with her still, for the girl could not be more than 19 now. Later, if he decided to answer the ad- vertisement, it might be well to know where Gall was.
 So he put through the call, and was surprised to learn that Gail Everett was now living and work ing in the city. Assuring Miss Cranston that there was no cause for alarm in his call, but that he had just been reminded about his late client by a little happening in the office, he made polite in- quiries about her welfare and rang of.
 Natalie,S letter reached its destin- ation the office of the Travers Mining and Development Company. As the manager read it, he smiled rather grimly. The writer evidently knew thing or two. They'd have to step carefully if they were to keep in the background for little longer.
 Pressing a button that brought the office manager, he said as the handsome, well-dresSed, middle aged woman appeared, "I'd like to talk to you for a few minutes, Mrs. Barton. Just sit down"
 Thank you," she answered, pulling her chair around so that the bright rays of the sun did not tantalize her eyes.
 T want you to do something for me, but it requires a little diplomacy, so first I'm going to give you the inside dope which, you understand, is extremely con- fidential."
 Certainly, MT. Gage" she an- swered, already feeling f1attered that he should have sent for her.
 "The fact of the matter is, the Travers Mining and Development finds it imperative to secure some land out west. but the owner has died, and we don't yet know about his heirs. I put an ad- vertisement in yesterdays news paper and have received this an- swer." He handed Mrs. Barton the letter Natalie had written.
 Evidently there are some heirs" Mrs. Barton commented, laying the letter on his desk.
 "Yes. Now I want you to in vite this woman to meet you at a hotel and ask her to lunch with you. Talk to her and get all the information you can, assure her that Is on account of friendship you are anxious to get in touch with Peter Everett's family. You understand what I mean?"
 "Yes, do, and I believe can handle this quite we'll"
 "All right, Mrs. Barton. Now about the reward. I'd be willing to pay as much as $100 if you get the information, but of course you'll have to judge about that your self. Perhaps it would well to offer not more than $25 or this person, whoever she is, may become suspicious" He rose from his chair. Better take the let ter with you and write on your own stationery from your home"
 "Very well. I'll make an ap- pointment and I'm sure can find out all you want to know"
 
 Natalie was thankful that her mysterious correspondent had in- vited her to lunch at such a fash ionable hotel. There was no likeli- hood of encountering Gail there in the middle of the day. As she taxied across town Natalie had no rnisgiv- ings about her errand. The woman who had written in reply to her own letter had seemed quite friend- ly.
 So when Natalie entered the notel she was not surprised when an attractive, middle-aged woman approached her. "Is this Miss Preston?" the woman asked in A pleasant voice.
 "Yes. and you're Mrs. Bartonp Natalie exclaimed.
 "Yes. I'm so glad to meet a friend of Peter Everett's; but come, let us have lunch and then we can talk things over so much more comfortably.
 You know" she went on when they had settled themselves at a small table, T really hesitated to put that advertisement in the paper, for somehow I always feel as though those advertisements are for lost heirs, and of course I've no for tune for the Everetts." She smiled disarmingly.
 Well, I don't imagine Gail is looking for one"
 I'm going to tell you exactly why I advertised. Years ago my father and Peter Everett were quite friendly. My father is an artist, too, though he's quite an old man now, and an invalid. He often asks about his old friends, but after Peter Everett went