"Good!" exclaimed Brennan, sliding from his perch on the desk and seizing a telephone book. "How did you happen to know who it was with Gibson?" asked P. Q., as Brennan disappeared into a telephone booth. "I--I--met her," John said, his puzzled feeling turning to astonishment. "Well, well, you WERE mixing in, weren't you?" P. Q. smiled. "Gibson was appointed police commissioner a few hours ago. He's a good man for you to know, because if we're not mistaken he's going to start something that will keep him on the front page for some time to come." Brennan came hustling out of the phone booth. "She asked if you were here--wants to speak to you," he said. "To me? Who?" asked John. "Miss Carrillo. I telephoned her place to try to reach Gibson. She said he had just left and asked me if you had returned yet. Get in there and find out if anyone's got to Gibson yet about his appointment as police commissioner." Brennan stuck his head in the booth to listen as John lifted the receiver. "Hello," he said. "Mr. Gallant?" it was her voice. "Yes." "You see, he did not forget. I did not ask him to make that apology; I only told him I thought he had been forgetful." "Yes," said John, realizing she was referring to the apology offered him by Gibson. "Now that he is a police commissioner he will need you, as a newspaper man, for a friend." "Ask her if he has given any interviews yet," Brennan put in. "Has Mr. Gibson made a statement concerning his appointment?" John asked. "No, I don't believe he knows yet that he has been appointed." "Where is he now?" prompted Brennan. "Do you know where he went when he left your place?" "No, I'm sorry, I don't. Home, I suppose." "Thank you, Miss Carrillo." "Mr. Gallant----" "Yes." "Don't think him a--a--a villain, will you?" "Why should I?" "You thought him one at the fete this afternoon. I'm sure you know now that he is not. And remember, we are to see each other again." "Yes, indeed." "I won't forget. Good-by." "Good-by." "What did she say?" demanded Brennan. "She says Gibson doesn't know yet that he had been appointed commissioner and that she supposes he started for home when he left her place." Brennan eyed him shrewdly. "You seem to know her rather well," he ventured. P. Q. said it was too late to get anything Gibson might say if they located him into the last edition for that day. He instructed Brennan to see Gibson as early as possible in the morning. "And suppose you take Gallant along with you. He seems to have got acquainted with Gibson," he added. "And Consuello," appended Brennan. CHAPTER IV