e. "I--You are a stranger to me, sir. I do not
see why--that is, do not know what----" Plainly he was embarrassed by
the invitation.

"I want to talk to you on several important matters of considerable
interest to yourself. I have some questions to ask you concerning Miss
Cristy Lawson," said Kendrick directly.

"Oh, you have? How d'you know I got answers to them?" There was no
question about the pallor of young Stiles now. "She aint nothin' in my
young life an' I don't know 's I got the time."

"Listen here, Stiles," said Kendrick sharply. "I'd advise you to meet
me as I suggest--in your own interests, let us say. I happen to know a
few things which must be cleared up at once and only you can do it.
Understand? You don't want me to start something and--well, spill the
beans? Do you?"

"Wh--what--er--beans?" stammered Stiles, plainly frightened.

"I'm not talking about Boston baked anyway," smiled Phil. "You won't
get hurt if you play fair with me." He frowned. "I guess you know
what I'm referring to. Will you take lunch with me and talk it over
pleasantly or do you want me to go and see--Nickleby?

"Well, we aint buyin' no more stationery just now, sir. Call again
some time. Perhaps later on we may be needin' somethin'."

"Oh, very well then," nodded Kendrick easily, at once sensing the
effort of a clerk to overhear the conversation--a man who had sauntered
over to the counter and was making pretense of examining a directory
within earshot of the two. "Our carbon paper is exceptionally fine.
If I call some day about--shall we say twelve-thirty?"

"Yes, that hour will be O.K., sir," he said aloud. "Thanks. Meet me
at the corner," he added in a whisper.

So Jimmy Stiles was being watched in that office, thought Phil as he
went down in the elevator. What for? Who by? A couple more questions
to add to his collection. Well, they'd go over to the Island residence
for their lunch where they would be undisturbed. He had telephoned
already to Mrs. Parlby to serve luncheon for two, and dropped into the
National Club to fill in the interval till twelve-thirty.

Sharp on time Stiles put in an appearance at the appointed place, but
he demurred upon learning where Kendrick was proposing to take him.

"Gee Whiz! I got to get back to the office inside an hour," he
objected.

"I'll promise to get you back on time," assured Phil. "The launch is
moored down at the Canoe Club and she can do forty-f