"I ain't afraid of questions," declared the operative. "They'll only bring out that I'm right when I claim the credit." He hastened to shut the door behind him. Mern acted as if he were looking for a missile. "But where is she? Why in the blue blazes doesn't she report in?" muttered the chief, worriment wrinkling his forehead. On the face of things, it seemed that, valuable as Miss Kennard had been as confidential secretary, she was still more valuable as a skillful operative--and Chief Mern was earnestly desirous of having her back on the job. CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE Chief Mern's interview with his two operatives the next forenoon did not yield the solid facts he was after. They disputed each other. Miss Elsham insisted that she had had Latisan on the run and claimed that his apparent involvement with Miss Kennard was merely a silly and fleeting flirtation with one whom he supposed was a table girl in a tavern. "You gave me his character, all written out," insisted Miss Elsham. "He's that kind. He didn't dare to presume with me as he would with a girl in a dining room; but I was getting along all right till Crowley butted in." She turned spitefully on that monopolizer and meddler. "And now don't stand there and say again that you claim the credit. I'll slap your face!" Miss Elsham lied so strenuously that she was convincing. Crowley, trying hard to tell the truth for once, stammered and stumbled over the amazing details of the lovemaking between Latisan and Miss Kennard. The chief found the really veracious recital beyond belief. "She wouldn't offer to marry him, standing there in public," stormed Mern. "I know Kennard. She isn't that sort. I'll go to the bottom of this thing, even if it means a trip for me to that God-forsaken tank town. I'd give a thousand dollars to see Lida Kennard walk in through that door. I was never so worried about anything in all my life," he lamented. "Crowley, you deserted the most valuable person I have ever had in my office--and God knows what has happened to her." He sent them away. "What does it get anybody to tell the truth?" grumbled Crowley. "Nothing, when it sounds so ridiculous as the truth in this case," averred Miss Elsham. "Everybody seems to go crazy up in the tall timbers. Give me the tall buildings for mine after this." In high good humor Rufus Craig appeared to Mern that afternoon a little before three o'clock. He sat down, pulled out the slide leaf of Mern's desk, and produced a check book. "No need my seeing Exhibit A before settling. Tell me the expense account. I'll include everything in one check."