You
are to start at the hour named, but you will buy tickets for
Atlantic City, where you must get what accommodations you can. Our
little friend needs to be taken out of town,--not on business you
understand, but to escape the unpleasantness here and to get such
change as will distract her mind. Her mother cannot leave her
duties, so you have undertaken to accompany the child. The rest
leave to me. Have you understood all this?"
"Yes, perfectly; but--"
"Not another word, Miss Weeks. The change will do our little
friend good. Trust my judgment, and ask her to do the same. Above
all, do not be late for the train. Telephone at once for a cab,
and forget everything but the pleasant trip before you.--Oh, one
minute! There's an article you had better send me. I hope you can
guess what it is."
"I think I can."
"You know the city I am going to. Mark the package, General
Delivery, and let me have it soon. That's all."
He hung up the receiver.
At midnight he started for Washington. He gave a political reason
in excuse for this trip. He did not expect to be believed; but the
spy, if such had been sent, had taken the earlier train on which
the two ladies had left for Atlantic City. He knew every man who
got on board of the same train as himself; and none of them were
in league with Police Headquarters.
XXVIII
THE FIRST EFFORT
LEAVES FROM ALANSON BLACK'S NOTE-BOOK, FOUND BY REUTHER SOME
MONTHS LATER, IN A VERY QUEER PLACE, VIZ.
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