Ashton Kirk, Secret Agent

g Off of

did not leave until 7:30; and even this was delayed on the way, so that it was rather an un

carts, along the curb, were empty; the stands were shrouded, and the stores dim-looking. As t

Fuller, "what's

an whom Ashton-Kirk an once recognized as young Drevenoff. Stumph, aroused out of his usual gravity, was gesticulating determin

step. "Here is a man who desires to see you, sir," he said to Ashton-Kirk. "H

ler and the man, entered the hall

d the former

Mr. Ash

a

once to Dr. Morse's place

sent

s Co

man; his face was pale, his eyes

thing ha

has been

rk turned

ixon to

auffeur was upon the point of starting aw

here?" asked Ashto

the man. "I had hoped to find

-the motor

car; Fuller seated himself beside Dixon and Dre

," directed Ashton-Kirk

th under the skilful hand of Di

pen?" asked Ashton

mur

rse!" s

the hour. Some

as it

ot through

he

is li

t to become very voluble; but not so Drevenoff. His answ

know about it," re

these nights; I am not well, you see. It must have been about half-past ten when I heard a knocking at my door. It was Nanon, and she was crying out that Dr. Morse was dead. I dress

that

got up at once and warned me not to. There was a trai

s

rned into Fordham Road. The residence of Dr. Morse was silent and dark; the blinds were closely drawn; not even a glimmer of light was

you, Dr

eplied t

rought the

e he

eamed face of the old Breton woman, harsh

see you at once, s

library door, which was closed; and the old servant paused

r that you are

was hushed and breathless; a sort of terror seemed to have settled over everything. He ha

he corners of her mouth twitched. Silently she held out both hands t

oon as I cou

sent Drevenoff." She spoke in broken, sobbing sentences; and the fear in her eyes crept into

s important that we act quickly; the police will, of course, be in the

n convulsively, and, if possible, her face went st

fell dimly upon the dark, loosely coiled masses of her hair and brought out the clear perfection

e said. "When you entered the library did you see

sped the meaning

ried as he was, many would have resorted to that;

e no firea

N

covered

an

like to ask her a

ned; she entered, angular

ecret agent, "that it was you who

wa

telling me how y

elf awake. I always made and took it to him. When I went into

eard n

N

last see the

t finished locking all the windo

stom to lock u

ne so at nine o'clock

"that I have thought he feared a repetition

was fast, then?" said Ashton-K

looking the porch on the second floor. As there was no way by which the hous

ang for you as you f

. He had on his hat, an overcoat lay across a chair and he was trying to turn a key in the lock of his traveling bag. The key was bent and he had ru

ssed as though to g

door and sat upon the step for some time. It was a fin

did you

. Then I went to p

the step did you s

Dr. Morse

h wh

e, but not distinctly. I thought it

breath, and Ashton-Kirk saw the old

"Miss Stella tells m

brary to the hall door after s

s,

e door while you

thinking to hear if t

brary when you spoke to th

on

n the hallway while

re w

seen any one ente

room he would first have

in the house at any ti

ve heard them ring, even if so

k turned t

e told me as to what took place in the house to-ni

her mouth twitched nervously, and her hands

arned that Dr. Morse was de

re I had gone to read im

OUGHT T

ought t

he foot of the back st

your sit

he back; the door was ope

ee anything else,

ing to his room on the third floor; I sat fac

ot come d

l Nanon c

quite sur

have seen him h

et agent looked from one to the other of t

hat the second voice you heard i

e girl; and again the gray eyes of the old woma

e. Whose it was

pause; then he tur

he, smoothly, "I shoul

a trifle

low voice, "but I am afraid

ossi

here-he has

her than usual. She took a step toward the girl, the thick gray brows

face, and the secret agent as he looked at her sa

t know,"

ike menace in her face; it seemed as though she were about t

he, calmly, "I should like

es turned from the

?" indicating the dir

til aft

e hall he looked back. Stella Corbin was standing erect, her hands clasped, her face white and drawn