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He stopped short and listened intently The sounds of footsteps on the stairs outside came to his ears They clumped upward, paused for a moment down the little hall and then approached Droouest looked at the clock instinctively Eddie heard Droom's breath as it came faster between puffs at his pipe Then there was a resounding rap at the panel of the door Eddie Deever never forgot the look that swept over the old man's face--the look of wonder, dread, desperation It passed in an instant, and he arose unsteadily, undecidedly, to ad frame seemed to shake like a reed as he stood cautiously inside the bolted door and called out: "Who's there?"

"Messenger," was thefirst at Eddie and then toward theSlowly he unbolted the door A sasped Elias Droo the boy into the roon here" The boy, snow-covered, drew a letter from his pocket and handed it to Droo in his fingers

"I don't know I'o Avenue," said the boy, with proper impudence He took one look at Droom's face as the man handed the slip back to him and then hurried downstairs, far less inised the handwriting on the envelope as James Bansemer's It was the first time his employer had communicated with him in this manner He tore open the envelope and anxiously read the brief o to the office," he said, surprise still lingering in his face "It's important business--a consultation with--er--with an Eastern client"

"Gee, it's tough to turn out this kind of a night I' your way, Mr Droom Come on, I'll take the car doith you"

"I--I won't be ready for soht, then"

Eddie Deever departed, chuckling to hi, determined to learn what he could of this unusual summons

But Droom was too crafty Bansemer's letter had asked hi The co at the home of David Cable