can't take a chance on losing
my job."

Marsh now knew that he was going to get important information if he
handled the matter diplomatically.

"Remember," he explained, confidentially, "I am not a regular
detective. I have nothing to do with the city police department.
There will be no publicity attached to anything I learn. I am merely
looking up confidential information for Mr. Hunt, who, as you know,
has charge of Mr. Merton's business."

The girl was again busy at the switchboard, and when at last there
came a pause, she looked carefully around to see that no one else
was within ear shot. Then she leaned toward Marsh.

"He got a telephone message at twelve o'clock on Monday night," she
whispered.

"You mean last Monday?" questioned Marsh. He recollected that Merton
had been reported missing for ten days.

The girl nodded.

"Of course, at that hour," suggested Marsh, "you were not very busy
and would therefore be likely to listen in on the wire."

"The very idea!" she exclaimed, indignantly.

"Look here," said Marsh. "If I can rescue Merton from the
predicament he is probably in, someone will be handsomely rewarded.
Is it not a safe bet that the person who gives me the correct
information to put me on the right track, will be pretty well taken
care of?"

The girl sat in thoughtful silence.

"And if Mr. Merton should happen to be dead, Mrs. Merton would be
very grateful, indeed, to anyone who had helped her learn the
truth," Marsh added.

Again the girl looked cautiously about. The hint of an ample reward
was having its effect.

"If I lose my job..." she warned, and then again leaned toward
Marsh. "I listened in, all right. It was a man who said his name was
Nolan. From what I heard I think he used to be a chauffeur for Mr.
Merton. He said he was in an awful hole, that he was unjustly
accused of theft, and that they were about to lock him up. He asked
Mr. Merton if he could do anything to keep him out of this disgrace.
Mr. Merton said he would try and asked where he was. Nolan said he
was being detained in the apartment of a man named Ames, at some
place on Sheridan Road--I forget the exact number."

"Did Mr. Merton go there then, do you know?"

"I couldn't tell you that. He simply said, 'All right,' and hung up
the receiver."

"You have given me just the information I needed," said Marsh. "Your
job is in no danger if you let this matter rest just between us two.
If anyone else should questio