thing, before I leave for New York tonight?" asked
Bronson.

"No, I guess not. Get your room into shape for us. Put the chairs
where we cannot stumble over them. How long will you be gone?"

"I don't know. These Germans certainly keep us busy. Some of our
optimists are turning pessimists, now that Austria is declaring war
against Servia. They are beginning to think that perhaps there is
something in this war-talk. I have to go to them and tell them just
how much there really is in it. I had much rather stay--wish I
could."

"I know that, Bronson, and there is no one I would rather have. But
perhaps you will be of better service there. I shall code Wright the
information we get tonight, if we get it. They will have it at the New
York office."

Strong and Walker returned to the Adams street office; Ted went home.
He was glad of the chance to see more of his mother; Helen, he knew,
would not be home. Ted was very fond of his pretty, efficient sister,
and proud of her rapid rise at the store.

He found his mother there when he reached home. He explained the
reason for his wearing the newsboy's clothes.

Ted spent a quiet, comfortable afternoon with her. Many things they
still had to talk about and the mother realized how much it was the
desire of Ted to have her and Helen come out to that great West, a
land where contentment and opportunity, at least, were more likely to
be found than in this place, in which she had lived so many years.

* * * * *

About three o'clock, only a half hour after he had been at Adams
street, Strong was called to the telephone. He had been busy at a
report, the call was unexpected and could only come from his secretary
or from Ted, the only two besides Walker who knew of this new
location.

It proved to be his secretary.

"A messenger boy came here a little while ago with a message for you,"
she said.

"Read it."

"'A meeting is to be held at W.'s house. If you will come, can get
you in. 4:30!' It is signed 'J.'," she added.

There was a pause. She continued: "It looks as if it comes from Jones.
It is his writing, beyond doubt, but he signed his initial instead of
his number."

"I'll come right over," Strong answered, and his voice sounded
perplexed.

Charles Jones was an operative, employed as a butler by the Winckel
household. He had so often given proof of profound stupidity in
everything except his duties in the household that He