ould not talk out to a
client as a detective should--was stirring his sour indignation more and
more.

"I'd like to meet her," urged the director. "She must be a wonder. A
great actress, I should judge, from what I was told in Adonia."

"She's having her vacation just now."

"Look here, Mern! I'm going to stick a couple of hundred more onto this
check. Send it along to her and tell her to have an extra week or a new
dress at my expense. I've made a side-line clean-up on the Tomah this
season and money is easy with me." That was as explicit as Craig cared
to be in regard to the deal with the Walpole heir. Still poising his
pen, the director turned expectant gaze on the door when the knob was
turned; a flurried, fat girl whose manner showed that she was new to the
place had received Mern's orders about the figures; now she came
bringing them.

Craig frowned while he wrote the check after the girl had retired.

He was a bit pettish when he snapped his check book shut. "Say, Mern, I
always like to see that Kennard girl when I come into your office. I
like her looks. I like the way she puts out her hand to a man."

"I'm sorry she isn't here. But she's--she's out--sick."

"Good gad! I hope it's nothing serious." Craig showed real concern.

"Oh no! Just a--a rather severe cold." The chief was having hard work
to conceal his mental state--being obliged to lie that way, like a fool,
in order to hide the mystery in his own office!

"Give me her street number. I'll send up a bunch of flowers."

"She is out with some friends in the country to get clean air. I don't
know the address."

Mern perceived that more questions were coming. Craig was frankly
revealing his interest in Miss Kennard.

The chief pulled out his watch; he had a good excuse for changing an
embarrassing subject. "Latisan is about due. Of course, you don't want
to be seen. I'll post you in one of the side consulting rooms."

"It seems rather silly, this spying," remonstrated Craig. "I'm taking
your word about Latisan. I'm getting ready to start north, and have a
lot of matters to look after."

"Humor my notion," urged the chief. "He has been tamed down and I want
you to see him. You'll understand why I believe I can keep him hanging
around here till you have nailed things to the cross up-country."

Craig showed no alacrity, but he allowed Mern to lead him to a small
room that was separated from the main office by a ground-glass
partition; there was