_Who?_"

"Janet Mackay, sir. She went to town immediately after dinner to a
movie."

"_Janet Mackay_! There is only one motion-picture theater?"

"Yes, sir."

"Go there at once. Check up on her. She's a regular patron--the
ticket-girl should be able to tell you if she's been there. When you
come back, signal to me, yes or no. Understand? _Beat it_!"

When Krech came down again he found Creighton sitting on the veranda,
smoking a cigar and apparently more in the mood to think than to talk.
It was nearly ten o'clock when a step sounded on the porch and Merrill
sauntered into view.

"Pardon!" he said promptly, and vanished again.

But he had obeyed his instructions and sent Creighton a sign that
started the detective's heart to thumping. Janet Mackay had not been
to the theater. Here was a coil with collateral complications that
were not pleasant to contemplate. His heart stopped thumping and made
a dive for his boots as he wondered what Miss Ocky would say when she
learned of his interest in Janet.

"I'm going to New York on the midnight," he said abruptly. "Will you
run me to the station on your way home?"

"Sure. Unexpected, isn't it? What are you going for?"

"Mostly on account of this notebook." Creighton tapped the side-pocket
of his coat in which he had placed his treasure, rewrapped and tied.
"It must go to the chap in Brooklyn who does my finger-print work, and
I don't care to trust it to the mail. I've another reason for going
which I don't propose to tell you."

"_Sus domesticus_!" cried Mr. Krech proudly, then obligingly translated
for his astonished companion. "Pig!"

"Oh. Well, if you feel so deeply about it I suppose I might toss you a
hint. I'm going to New York to give something a chance to happen that
might not happen if I stayed here. I'll be back to-morrow evening,
late--which reminds me that I'd better catch young Merrill and leave a
message for Miss Ocky. Bates has probably gone to bed."

He spent the night at his apartment in the city and surprised his staff
by entering his office the next morning at nine sharp--surprised them
pleasantly, it may be added, for they had come to be loyal friends no
less than faithful helpers. He exchanged cheerful greetings with a
very pretty young woman who left her typewriter and accompanied him
into his private room.

"Something didding, Rose, I do believe." He seated himself at his
handsome, flat-top desk. "Send Jimmy here.