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240 "but I feel certain Markham will be here soon. Is it anything I can attend to for him?"

"No," was the definite reply.

Just then Frank heard some one inquiring for him in the outer office. This seemed to be a day for strangers. Two men whom he had never seen before entered his room. One free and easy of manner at once addressed Frank.

"Is your name Newton?"

"Yes," responded Frank, none too well pleased at the man's familiarity.

"Believe you telegraphed to the reformatory at Linwood some time since about a boy named Welmore—Richard Markham Welmore?"

Frank started. He was greatly taken aback.

"Did I?" he said simply.

"You did," asserted the stranger promptly.

"You've given us some trouble running you down. Welmore, under the name of Markham, is now in your employ."

"What of it?" inquired Frank, with dire forebodings of trouble.

"We want him, that's all, my dear young friend," broke in the other man. "Dangerous character, escaped criminal. This is an officer of the institution."