Ashton Kirk, Secret Agent

e on For

ere was a crowd of loiterers at the gate, open-mouthed and marveling at everything

there admitted them to the lawn. One of the first persons they saw at the house was Osborne, the burly central office man

said Ashton-Kirk amusedly; "and to all appearances he is

enough to have had some

t sight of them he

cret agent by the hand. "I rather thought you'd pok

" smiled Ashton-Kirk, good-naturedl

Osborne, his broad face beaming. "One of them is that we have na

A

dener knows Warwick very well by sight, having been in the habit of selling greens to the Eastbury people along this way. He says he spoke to

inite enough," commen

question or two and learned that Hastings is the next station north-and a much more important one than this, by the way. A time-table told me that a New York train stopped at Hastings at 11:15. It was about 10:35 that Warwick was seen on the ro

"sounds rather neat and co

ghed self-c

description and are looking out for him. I'm trying to dig up a photograph or two to

eporters stepped

"My name is Evans, and

ur work, as you are permitted to sign it. Your specialty is the comic a

bear distortion, I might produce a novel column." He put his hands in his trousers pockets and swayed backward

e interrupted h

l have you saying things you never meant to say, and he'll be

Evans, unruffled, "I'm go

d the big man. "Go ahead

w the secret age

ith this case that has me winging. It's all right to put on before them paper fellows out there," with a nod toward the po

-Kirk

s gets onto them and maybe puts in pictures, and all that. The funny fellows, like that Evans, are the worst of all. I make believe I do

gan shooting the heavy bolt of th

bolts and locks and window fasteners. Every one of them was doing business

o

e in with him? Which one of the other three in the house helped him in the job? One of

solving of it might be of interest. But why devote so much attention to

ed at him in

e case; but Warwick is the center, and my attention is going to stick right there all th

ound again. However, I will say this. Nothing is gained by riveting one's attention upon one phase of a matter. The only effect it ha

smiled

out of a book. But, just the same, I'm going to stick to Warwick. He's the fellow for my money; the thi

for some little time longer. He learned that a deputy coroner had

t the matter that I ain't glad to have you in this. The fact is, I'm just as tickled as can be, because you've really got some moves that are rather smooth. I know, bec

hton-Kirk made his way around upon the north side of the house. Holding to th

n. Here," pointing to a ragged place in the top of the hedge, evidently only recently made, "is where Warwick leaped over the fence. His f

ery short; no trace of any sort was to be seen upon it; but at the rear

careful as the family,"

e, Ashton-Kirk passed on toward the south side of the house. Away from

g from the rear door. But he did not put in much time," as the track halted and doubled upon itself. "His coming out at all was mere

om in the rear of the library. Then Fuller heard an exc

s it?"

" said As

re the tracks of a slim, delicately-shod foot, th

," cried Fuller, as he note

ew rapid steps took him to the window abov

"Curiosity probably induced some people to ve

the back room by this w

protest," said Fuller, "but these low windows are common

-Kirk

commonly used in that way. But only when the roo

s always kept locked." He remained gazing at the other for a moment, apparently pondering

d because it shows not the slightest indication of having been forced. And when they d

Fuller paused,

oom while you were in the library, some ti

e waited in the hall after you told him to go to the police station. Then he stole into the

on-Kirk smiled as h

k! And if it was," after a moment, "why did he require to be admitted to

; for at that moment they heard a step behind them and looking ar