resence here should have been known
for reasons which--ah--(here Average Jones remarked the resumption of
his friend's official bearing)--which, not being for the public, I need
not detail to you."

"You need not, in point of fact, tell me anything about it at all,"
observed Average Jones equably.

Pomposity fell away from Mr. Thomas Colvin McIntyre, leaving him
palpably shivering.

"But I need your help. Need it very much. You know something about
handling the newspapers, don't you?"

"I know how to get things in; not how to keep them out."

The other groaned. "It may already be too late. What newspapers have you
there?"

"All of 'em. Want me to look?"

Mr. McIntyre braced himself.

"Turk dies at Palatia," read Average Jones. "Mm--heart disease...
wealthy Stamboul merchant... studying American methods... Turkish
minister notified."

"Is that all?"

"Practically."

"And the other reports?"

Average Jones ran them swiftly over. "About the same. Hold on! Here's a
little something extra in the Universal."

"'Found on the floor... bell-boy who discovered the tragedy collapses...
condition serious... Supposedly shock--"

"What's that?" interrupted young Mr. McIntyre, half rising. "Shot?"

"You're nervous, Tommy. I didn't say 'shot.' Said 'shock."'

"Oh, of course. Shock--the bell-boy, it means."

"See here; first thing you know you'll be getting me interested. Hadn't
you better open up or shut up?"

Mr. McIntyre took a long breath and a resolution simultaneously.

"At any rate I can trust you," he said. "Telfik Bey is not a merchant.
He is a secret, confidential agent of the Turkish government. He came
over to New York from Washington in spite of warnings that he would be
killed."

"You're certain he was killed?"

"I only wish I could believe anything else."

"Shot?"

"The coroner and a physician whom I sent can find no trace of a wound."

"What do they say?"

"Apoplexy."

"The refuge of the mystified medico. It doesn't satisfy you?"

"It won't satisfy the State Department."

"And possibly not the newspapers, eventually."'

"Come up with me and look the place over, Average. Let me send for the
manager."

That functionary came, a vision of perturbation in a pale-gray coat.
Upon assurance that Average Jones was "safe" he led the way to the rooms
so hastily vacated by the spirit of the Turkish guest.

"We've succeeded in keeping two recent suicides and a blackmail scheme
in this hotel