"Sure Mike! She's on the staff," he admitted after indulging in that
disgusting habit of his, an extra-dry spit. "She does special
assignments for McAllister. Fact is, she's out of town now on one of
'em."

He eyed Kendrick shrewdly.

"Some doll, eh? But you aint got a look-in, Ken. Why say, boy, there
aint a guy on this rag that wouldn't walk up a church aisle with Cris
Lawson any old time she passed the high sign. She's got 'em all
buffaloed. But they say she 'n' the Boss understand each other pretty
well. Anyway she's sportin' a solitaire," and again White grinned and
spat deliberately.

Phil got out as fast as he could. He was in a strange state of
exhilaration at his discovery which not all the gossip of a hundred
newspaper offices nor all the solitaire diamond rings that ever were
could have dampened just then.

He hastened now to the office of Blatchford Ferguson over at the
Brokers' Bank Building, buttonholed Conway and informed him that he had
an important message for Miss Williams which he must deliver in person
at once. Only to have Conway shake his head. Miss Williams was not
there any more--had handed in her resignation last night.

"Rather sudden, wasn't it?"

"I should say so! We all knew she was here only temporarily, but she
certainly left rather suddenly. Young Roy over there was awfully stuck
on her; he hasn't been fit to live with all day."

"Do you know where I could catch her now? Did she leave any address?"

"Why no, she didn't," replied Conway. "I believe she expected to be
married soon to a chap in Buffalo and I rather think that's where she
went."

Kendrick bit his lip for a moment, considering. Then he asked for the
telephone directory, thought better of it and decided to call at the
office of the Alderson Construction Company unheralded. The young man
who came to the counter was Jimmy Stiles himself, Kendrick surmised;
but he merely asked to see Mr. James Stiles.

"That's my name," said the bookkeeper, casting a glance of quick
suspicion at the caller.

"Glad to know you, Mr. Stiles," smiled Kendrick, holding out his hand,
and he passed his card, dropping his voice to a more confidential tone.
"I wonder if you'll do me the honor to take lunch with me in an hour's
time, or if that's not convenient----?"

"Why? What do you want?" Stiles' face paled slightly, Kendrick
thought. He glanced over his shoulder rather nervously, too, as if
fearful of surveillanc