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 response; the line was dead. "Wire cut," he thought and tried a second public booth before seeking the office, where he found, not Zenn, but a black-browed subordinate in charge.

"No phone to-night," this substitute commented, after Calvin attempted vainly to use Baretta's wire. "All outa order."

Calvin returned to the empty hall and visited the front door which stood open and brought him the sounds of starting cars Darkness, except for the moonlight, was over the pylons; the garish lights had been switched off. Here and there couples stood in the snow, the girl huddled against the man, but each pair was separated from the others.

"No taxis," complained a youth. "And no phone."

Oliver and the Royle girl had gone, Calvin thought, until he stepped back into the hall and encountered them both. "Somebody's grabbed our car," Oliver explained.

"I have a taxi waiting," said Calvin.

"Don't fool yourself," advised Oliver. "Nothing's waiting but a couple of frozen flivvers; neither of 'em 'I'll start and they're locked anyway. We've been all around. You got nothing coming?" he inquired, his exploration having disabused him of the theory that Mr. Clarke was supported.

"No," admitted Calvin.

"Then it's on hoofs for me to the next phone," Oliver announced. "I got to call my office; they're certainly Waiting to hear from me," he emphasized, as he thought of his paper. "See here, what statement will I send in for you? You're not saying there's nothing to this now?"

"No," said Calvin.

"Well, what do you say about her?" Oliver demanded, seizing the arm of the Royle girl roughly.

No roughness was intended, but Calvin resented it; he