en the tension which all of them felt than because they were
amused, and presently the two women were alone again. Afterward, as
they talked over all the incidents of the afternoon, they recalled
that it was the only time during his long call that Gordon had
laughed, and they wondered that a young man who seemed so full of
vigor and life should have so serious a demeanor.

CHAPTER VI

WHO IS HUGH GORDON?

Felix Brand did not appear at his office the next day after his call
at the home of his secretary, and she inferred that he had gone on the
journey of which he had spoken. The week went by and he did not
return. It was longer than any previous absence had been, but
Henrietta, being prepared for it, was able to keep his affairs in
order. Nevertheless, as the days slipped by and no message came from
him, she began to feel solicitous. On Monday and Tuesday of the next
week, Mildred Annister made apprehensive inquiry concerning him over
the telephone. On Wednesday, big headlines in all the newspapers told
a city not yet so cynical but that it could read the news with
surprise, that Felix Brand, its successful and promising young
architect, was charged with having won his appointment upon the
municipal art commission by means of bribery.

An investigating committee had been secretly feeling about in another
city department with no thought of uncovering corruption, or even of
looking for it, in a body of city servants whose character,
occupations and ideals lifted them so far above suspicion.

Then they received an intimation that even there all was not as pure
as it might be and had called before them the man from whom the hint
had come. Guided by his information they had followed a devious trail,
apparently quite clean at first, but showing undoubted befoulment
as they neared its source. And finally they had traced it to its
beginnings in an unsavory local politician, Flaherty by name, who was
powerful in his own district and therefore had influence in his party
organization. And Flaherty, they had discovered, had been well
rewarded for efficient work in engineering the matter and inspiring
those above him to suggest and secure the appointment.

Scarcely had Henrietta reached her office on the morning of this
publication when Mildred Annister rushed in, anxious, excited and
indignant.

"Harry, dear, have you heard from him? Do you know where he is? I know
he would write to me, if he could write at all, bef