Dudley-Markham furniture. The family to whom it hadformerly belonged she knew had been one of the very oldest and mostimportant in Dorfield. The Dudley-Markhams had large interests inArgentine and would make their future home there, but here were thepossessions of their grandmothers and great-grandmothers, rescued fromtheir ancient dust, and Mrs. Charleworth was a person who lovedantiques and knew their sentimental and intrinsic values.
"The Dyers were foolish to part with these things," she asserted. "Ofcourse, Mary Dyer isn't supposed to know antiques, but the professorhas lived abroad and is well educated."
"The professor wasn't at home," explained Edna. "Perhaps that was luckyfor us. He is in Chicago, and we pleaded so hard that Mrs. Dyer let usgo into the attic and help ourselves."
"Well, that proves she has a generous heart," said the grand lady, witha peculiar, sphinx-like smile. "I will buy these two chairs, at yourprice, when you are ready to sell them."
"We will hold them for you," replied Edna. "They're to be revarnishedand properly 'restored,' you know, and we've a man in our employ whoknows just how to do it."
When Mary Louise told Colonel Hathaway, jokingly, at dinner thatevening, of Josie's extravagant purchase, her girl friend accepted thechaffing composedly and even with a twinkle in her baby-blue eyes. Shemade no comment and led Mary Louise to discourse on other subjects.
That night Josie sat up late, locked in her own room, with only thepedestal-desk for company. First she dropped to her knees, pushed up apanel in the square base, and disclosed the fact that in thisinappropriate place were several cleverly constructed secretcompartments, two of which were well filled with papers. The paperswere not those of the Dudley-Markhams; they were not yellowed with age;they were quite fresh.
"There!" whispered the girl, triumphantly; "the traitor is in my toils.Is it just luck, I wonder, or has fate taken a hand in the game? Howthe Kaiser would frown, if he knew what I am doing to-night; and howDaddy would laugh! But--let's see!--perhaps this is just a wedge, andI'll need a sledge-hammer to crack open the whole conspiracy."
The reason Josie stayed up so late was because she carefully examinedevery paper and copied most of those she had found. But toward morningshe finished her self-imposed task, replaced the papers, slid thesecret panel into place and then dragged the rather heavy piece offurniture into the far end of the deep closet that opened off herbedroom. Before the desk she hung several dresses, quite masking itfrom observation. Then she went to bed and was asleep in two minutes.
CHAPTER XIIIJOE LANGLEY, SOLDIER
Strange as it may seem, Mary Louise and her Liberty Girls were regardedwith envy by many of the earnest women of Dorfield, who were themselvesworking along different lines to promote the interests of thegovernment in the Great War. Every good woman was anxious to do herduty in this national emergency, but every good woman loves to have herefforts appreciated, and since the advent of the bevy of pretty younggirls in the ranks of female patriotism, they easily became thefavorites in public comment and appreciation. Young men and oldcheerfully backed the Liberty Girls in every activity they undertook.The Dorfield Red Cross was a branch of the wonderful nationalorganization; the "Hoover Conservation Club" was also national in itsscope; the "Navy League Knitting Knot" sent its work to Washingtonheadquarters; all were respectfully admired and financially assisted onoccasion. But the "Liberty Girls of Dorfield" were distinctly local anda credit to the city. Their pretty uniforms were gloriously emblematic,their fresh young faces glowed with enthusiasm, their specialty of"helping our soldier boys" appealed directly to the hearts of thepeople. Many a man, cold and unemotional heretofore in his attitudetoward the war, was won to a recognition of its menace, itsnecessities, and his personal duty to his country, by the arguments andexample of the Liberty Girls. If there was a spark of manhood in him,he would not allow a young girl to out-do him in patriotism.
Mary Louise gradually added to her ranks, as girl after girl begged tobe enrolled in the organization. After consulting the others, it wasdecided to admit all desirable girls between the ages of 14 and 18, andsix companies were formed during the following weeks, each companyconsisting of twenty girls. The captains were the original six--Alora,Laura, Edna, Lucile, Jane and Mary Louise. Irene Macfarlane was madeadjutant and quartermaster, because she was unable to participateactively in the regimental drills.
Mary Louise wanted Josie to be their general, but Josie declined. Sheeven resigned, temporarily, from membership, saying she had otherduties to attend to that would require all her time. Then the girlswanted Mary Louise to be general of the Dorfield Liberty Girls, but shewould not consent.
"We will just have the six companies and no general at all," she said."Nor do we need a colonel, or any officers other than our captains.Each and every girl in our ranks is just as important and worthy ofhonor as every other girl, so the fewer officers the better."
About this time Joe Langley came back from France with one arm gone. Hewas Sergeant Joe Langley, now, and wore a decoration for bravery thatexcited boundless admiration and pride throughout all Dorfield. Joe haddriven a milk wagon before he left home and went to Canada to join thefirst contingent sent abroad, but no one remembered his former humbleoccupation. A hero has no past beyond his heroism. The young man'sempty sleeve and his decoration admitted him to intercourse with the"best society" of Dorfield, which promptly placed him on a pedestal.
"You know," said Joe, rather shamefacedly deprecating the desire tolionize him, "there wasn't much credit in what I did. I'm even sorry Idid it, for my foolishness sent me to the hospital an' put me out o'the war. But there was Tom McChesney, lyin' out there in No Man's Land,with a bullet in his chest an' moanin' for water. Tom was a good chumo' mine, an' I was mad when I saw him fall--jest as the Boches wasdrivin' us back to our trenches. I know'd the poor cuss was in misery,an' I know'd what I'd expect a chum o' mine to do if I was in Tom'splace. So out I goes, with my Cap'n yellin' at me to stop, an' I got toTom an' give him a good, honest swig. The bullets pinged around us,although I saw a German officer--a decent young fellow--try to keep hismen from shootin'. But he couldn't hold 'em in, so I hoisted Tom on myback an' started for our trenches. Got there, too, you know, jest as amachine-gun over to the right started spoutin'. It didn't matter mydroppin' Tom in the trench an' tumblin' after him. The boys buried himdecent while the sawbones was cuttin' what was left of my arm away, an'puttin' me to sleep with dope. It was a fool trick, after all, 'thoughGod knows I'll never forget the look in Tom's eyes as he swallered thatswig o' cool water. That's all, folks. I'm out o' the game, an' Is'pose the Gen'ral jus' pinned this thing on my coat so I wouldn't takemy discharge too much to heart."
That was Joe Langley. Do you wonder they forgot he was once a milk-man,or that every resident of Dorfield swelled with pride at the very sightof him? Just one of "our soldier boys," just one of the boys theLiberty Girls were trying to assist.
"They're all alike," said Mary Louise. "I believe every Americansoldier would be a Joe Langley if he had the chance."
Joe took a mighty interest in the Liberty Girls. He volunteered todrill and make soldiers of them, and so well did he perform this task--perhaps because they admired him and were proud of their drill-master--that when the last big lot of selected draft men marched away, theentire six companies of Liberty Girls marched with them to the train--bands playing and banners flying--and it was conceded to be one of thegreatest days Dorfield had ever known, because everyone cheered untilhoarse.
CHAPTER XIVTHE PROFESSOR IS ANNOYED
Josie O'Gorman, after resigning from the Liberty Girls, became--so shecalmly stated--a "loafer." She wandered around the streets of Dorfieldin a seemingly aimless manner, shopped at the stores without buying,visited the houses of all sorts of people, on all sorts of gossipyerrands, interviewed lawyers, bankers and others in an inconsequentialway that amused some and annoyed others, and conducted herself sosingularly that even Mary Louise was puzzled by her actions.
But Josie said to Mary Louise: "My, what a lot I'm learni
ng! There'snothing more interesting--or more startling--or, sometimes, morerepulsive--than human nature."
"Have you learned anything about the German spy plot?" questioned MaryLouise eagerly.
"Not yet. My quest resembles a cart-wheel. I go all around the outerrim first, and mark the spokes when I come to them. Then I follow eachspoke toward the center. They'll all converge to the hub, you know, andwhen I've reached the hub, with all my spokes of knowledge radiatingfrom it, I'm in perfect control of the whole situation."
"Oh. How far are you from the hub, Josie?"
"I'm still marking the spokes, Mary Louise."
"Are there many of them?"
"More than I suspected."
"Well, I realize, dear, that you'll tell me nothing until you are readyto confide in me; but please remember, Josie, how impatient I am andhow I long to bring the traitors to justice."
"I won't forget, Mary Louise. We're partners in this case and perhaps Ishall ask your help, before long. Some of my spokes may be blinds anduntil I know something positive there's no use in worrying you withconfidences which are merely surmises."
Soon after this conversation Mary Louise found herself, as head of theLiberty Girls, in an embarrassing position. Professor Dyer returnedfrom Chicago on an evening train and early next morning was at the Shopeven before its doors were opened, impatiently awaiting the arrival ofMary Louise.
"There has been a mistake," he said to her, hastily, as she smilinglygreeted him; "in my absence Mrs. Dyer has thoughtlessly given you someold furniture, which I value highly. It was wife's blunder, of course,but I want back two of the articles and I'm willing to pay your Shop asmuch for them as you could get elsewhere."
"Oh, I'm awfully sorry, Professor," said the girl, really distressed,as she unlocked the Shop door. "Come in, please. Mrs. Dyer told ourgirls to go into the attic and help themselves to anything they wanted.We've done splendidly with the old furniture, and fenders, andbrassware, but I hope the two articles you prize are still unsold. Ifso, you shall not pay us for them, but we will deliver them to yourhouse immediately."
He did not reply, for already he was searching through the accumulationof odds and ends with which the store-room was stocked.
"Perhaps I can help you," suggested Mary Louise.
He turned to her, seeming to hesitate.
"One was a chair; a chair with spindle legs and a high back, richlycarved. It is made of black oak, I believe."
"Oh, I remember that well," said the girl. "Mrs. Charleworth bought itfrom us."
"Mrs. Charleworth? Well, perhaps she will return it to me. I know thelady slightly and will explain that I did not wish to part with it."Still his eyes were roving around the room, and his interest in thechair seemed somewhat perfunctory. "The other piece of furniture was asort of escritoire, set on a square pedestal that had a carved base oflions' feet." His voice had grown eager now, although he strove torender it calm, and there was a ring of anxiety in his words.
Mary Louise felt relieved as she said assuringly:
"That, at least, I can promise you will be returned. My friend, JosieO'Gorman, bought it and had it sent to our house, where she isvisiting. As soon as some of the girls come here to relieve me, I'lltake you home with me and have Uncle Eben carry the desk to your housein our motor car. It isn't so very big, and Uncle Eben can manage iteasily."
The tense look on the man's face relaxed. It evident that ProfessorDyer was greatly relieved.
"Thank you," he said; "I'd like to get it back as soon as possible."
But when, half an hour later, they arrived at the Hathaway residence,and met Josie just preparing to go out, the latter said with abewildered look in her blue eyes: "The old desk? Why, I sent that hometo Washington days ago!"
"You did?" Mary Louise was quite surprised. "Why, you said nothing tome about that, Josie."
"I didn't mention it because I'd no idea you were interested. Daddyloves old things, and I sent it home so he would have it on his return.By freight. You are away at the Shop all day, you know, so I askedUncle Eben to get me a big box, which he brought to my room. The deskfitted it nicely. I nailed on the cover myself, and Uncle Eben took itto the freight office for me. See; here's the receipt, in mypocket-book."
She unfolded a paper and held it out to Professor Dyer, who read itwith a queer look on his face. It was, indeed, a freight receipt for"one piece of furniture, boxed," to be shipped to John O'Gorman,Washington, D. C, The sender was described as "Miss J. O'Gorman,Dorfield." There was no questioning Josie's veracity, but she calledthe black servant to substantiate her story.
"Yes, Miss Josie," said Uncle Eben, "I done took de box to de freightoffice an' got de receipt, lak yo' tol' me. Tuesday, it were; las'Tuesday."
Professor Dyer was thoughtful.
"You say your father is away from home at present?" he asked.
"Yes; he's abroad."
"Do you suppose the freight office in Washington would deliver the boxto me, on your order?"
"I'm afraid not," said Josie, "It's consigned to John O'Gorman, andonly John O'Gorman can sign for its receipt."
Again the Professor reflected. He seemed considerably disturbed.
"What is the business of John O'Gorman, your father?" he presentlyinquired.
"He's a member of the government's secret service," Josie replied,watching his face.
The professor's eyes widened; he stood a moment as if turned to stone.Then he gave a little, forced laugh and said:
"I'm obliged to make a trip to Washington, on business, and I thoughtperhaps I'd pick up the--ah--the box, there, and ship to Dorfield.The old desk isn't valuable, except--except that it's--ah--antiqueand--unusual. I'd like to get it back and I'll return to you the money youpaid for it, and the freight charges. If you'll write a note to therailway company, saying the box was wrongly addressed and asking thatit be delivered to my order, I think I can get it."
Josie agreed to this at once. She wrote the note and also gaveProfessor Dyer the freight receipt. But she refused to take his money.
"There might be some hitch," she explained. "If you get the box, and itreaches Dorfield safely, then I'll accept the return of my money; butrailroads are unreliable affairs and have queer rules, so let's waitand see what happens."
The Professor assured her, however, that there was no doubt of hisgetting the box, but he Would wait to pay her, if she preferred to letthe matter rest. When he had gone away--seeming far more cheerful thanwhen he came--Mary Louise said to Josie:
"This is a very unfortunate and embarrassing affair, all around. I'm sosorry we took that furniture from Mrs. Dyer before her husband camehome and gave his consent. It is very embarrassing."
"I'm glad, for my part," was the reply. Josie's blue eyes were shininginnocently and her smile was very sweet. Mary Louise regarded hersuspiciously.
"What is it, Josie!" she demanded. "What has that old desk to dowith--with--"
"The German spy plot? Just wait and see, Mary Louise."
"You won't tell me?"
"Not now, dear."
"But why did you ship the thing to Washington, if it is likely to provea valuable clue?"
"Why ask questions that I can't answer? See here, Mary Louise: it isn'twise, or even safe, for me to tell you anything just yet. What I knowfrightens me--even _me!_ Can't you wait and--trust me?"
"Oh, of course," responded Mary Louise in a disappointed voice. "But Ifail to understand what Professor Dyer's old desk can possibly have todo with our quest."
Josie laughed.
"It used to belong to the Dudley-Markhams."
"The Dudley-Markhams! Great heavens, But--see here--they left Dorfieldlong before this war started, and so--"
"I'm going out," was Josie's inconsequent remark. "Do you think thoseare rain clouds, Mary Louise? I hate to drag around an umbrella if it'snot needed."
CHAPTER XVSUSPENDERS FOR SALE
The two girls parted at the Liberty Shop. Mary Louise went in "toattend to business," while Josie O'G
orman strolled up the street andpaused thoughtfully before the windows of Kasker's Clothing Emporium.At first she didn't notice that it was Kasker's; she looked in thewindows at the array of men's wear just so she could think quietly,without attracting attention, for she was undecided as to her nextmove. But presently, realizing this was Kasker's place, she gave alittle laugh and said to herself: "This is the fellow poor little MaryLouise suspected of being the arch traitor. I wonder if he knowsanything at all, or if I could pump it out of him if he does? GuessI'll interview old Jake, if only to satisfy myself that he's theharmless fool I take him to be."
With this in mind she walked into the store. A clerk met her; otherclerks were attending to a few scattered customers.
"Is Mr. Kasker in?" she asked the young man.
"In his office, miss; to the right, half way down."
He left her to greet another who entered and Josie walked down theaisle, as
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