k was
scarcely turned before Brassfield took down the receiver and asked for
Alvord's residence.

"Jim," said he, "I've just found out that Sheol is popping about
town. . . . Yes, it's Edgington. Conlon tells me he's out for
McCorkle and against me. . . . Well, maybe not, but Conlon generally
knows. You must go out and run it down. We can't have McCorkle
nominated--you can see why. . . . All right. I'll wait for you
somewhere out of sight. . . . In the Turkish room at Tony's? . . .
Very well: I had another engagement, but I must call that off. Thanks,
old man. I shall rely on you! Good-by!"

Up went the receiver, and then, almost at once was lifted to
Brassfield's ear again as he sent in a call for Miss Waldron's
residence.

"Is this 758? Is Miss Waldron at home? . . . Yes, if you
please. . . . This you, Bess? Well, I'm in the hardest of hard luck.
Things have come up which will keep me cooped up all the evening. . . .
You're awfully good to say so! Good night, dearest!"

The lock clicked behind him, and he was out on the street once more.
Came into view a figure which was clearly that of a stranger to
Bellevale, and yet had an oddly familiar air to Brassfield, as it moved
uncertainly along the darkening highway. It came to the point of
meeting and halted, facing Brassfield squarely.

"I peg bardon," it said, "but haf I the honor of attressing Herr
Brassfield, or Herr Amidon?"

"My name is Brassfield," was the reply. "What can I do for you?"

"I am stopping at the Bellevale House," said the professor.
"Blatherwick is my name. I hat hoped that you might rekonice me,
as----"

"I am sorry to dispel your hope," said Brassfield. "What do you want
with me?"

"I should pe klad to haf you aggompany me to my rooms," said the
professor, "vere I shouldt esdeem it a brifiliche to bresent you to my
daughter, and show you some dests in occult phenomena. As the shief
citizen of the city----"

"My good man," said Brassfield, "whatever would be my attitude
ordinarily toward your very kind, if rather unlooked-for, invitation,
permit me now to decline on account of pressure of business.
Ordinarily I should be curious to know just what kind of game you've
got, as I haven't enough in my pockets to be worth your while to
flimflam me. Pardon me, if I seem abrupt."

And he hurried down the street, leaving the professor drifting
aimlessly in his wake, vibrating between anger and perplexity.

"I wonder whe