m. of the
same day to Professor Gehren, of the Metropolitan University; and
finally at 4:30 P. m. to Mr. Robert Bertram. When, only a moment
before five, the Ad-Visor entered, the manner of his apology was
more absent than fervent.
Bertram held out a newspaper to him.
"Cast your eye on that," said he. "The Register fairly reeks with
freaks lately."
Average Jones read aloud.
SMITH-PERKINS, formerly 74 Bellair-Send
map present location H. C. Turkish Triumph
about smoked out. MERCY--Box 34, Office.
"Oh, I don't know about its being so freakish," said Average Jones.
"Nonsense! Look at it! Turkish Triumph--that's a cigarette, isn't
it? H. C.--what's that? And signed Mercy. Why, it's the work of a
lunatic!"
"It's my work," observed Average Jones blandly.
The three visitors stared a him in silence.
"Rather a forlorn hope, but sometimes a bluff will go," he
continued.
"If H. C. indicates Harvey Craig, as I infer," said Professor Gehren
impatiently, "are you so infantile as to suppose that his murderer
will give information about him?"
Average Jones smiled, drew a letter from his pocket, glanced at it
and called for a number in Hackensack.
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