hours: there will be much for you to do, even then. Meanwhile,
let me call up your agency; then you give them instructions over
this table telephone to let Howard Van Cleft interview the little
chorus girl, with his friend. I'll be the friend."

"I'm afraid I'm going to be snowed under in this case, Monty.
The finest job I've had these dozen years. But you're square,
and will do all you can."

"Old friend, I'll do what I can to make Van Cleft and the
newspapers sure that you are the most wonderful sleuth inside or
outside the public library. Here's your office--speak up. Let
me lift you."

"Hello Pat!" called Cronin, as his superintendent came to the
'phone. "I am detained at Bellevue, so that I can't be there
when Van Cleft comes down. Let him Third Degree that little Jane
from the garage. Keep them two men apart, too--oh, that's all
right, the fellow is a friend of mine on the 'Frisco police
force. He won't butt in." Silence for a moment, then: "Oh,
shucks, let 'em yowl! They've got more than kidnapping to worry
about for the next twenty-five years."

He hung up the receiver, sinking back on his pillows wan from the
strain. Monty handed him a glass of water, and adjusted the
bandages with a hand as tender as a woman's. He lifted the
instrument again.

"You are sterling, twenty-two carat and a yard wide, Captain!
Now, get to sleep while I find out who the ring-master is. I've