sworn to keep awake until I do. I think it well to telephone Van
Cleft, and arrange for a better get-a-way for us both."

He was soon talking with the son of the murdered man. "Meet me
down at the Vanderbilt Hotel--ask for Mr. Hepburn's room, and
send up the name of Williams. See you in an hour. Good-bye."

Hanging up the receiver, he turned toward the door, after a
friendly pat on Cronin's shoulder. The bell rang, and the
Captain reached for it, to sink back exhausted upon the bed.
Shirley answered, to be greeted by a pleasant feminine voice.

"Is this Captain Cronin?"

Instantly the criminologist replied affirmatively, suiting his
tones as best he could to the gruff voice of the detective chief,
with a wink at that worthy.

"I just called up, Captain, to ask about you--Oh, you don't
recognize my voice. I'm Miss Wilberforce, private secretary to
Mr. Van Cleft. Has any one been to see you yet? I understand
that you are very busy, and have already missed two other good
cases, this one being the THIRD! Well, don't hurry, Captain.
You may get the rest to come--if you live long enough.
Good-bye!"

Shirley looked at Cronin, startled. Another mention of the
mystic number. He called for information about the origin of the
call.