Chapter II AN EMPTY ROOM *
"What do you know about the new radio developments which have been maderecently by the War Department?" he asked.
Bob's surprise was reflected in the look which flashed across his face.There had been only the vaguest of rumors that startling radioadvancements had been made by War Department engineers. It had been onlythin talk in the department. The clerks mentioning it on severaloccasions when they had been alone.
"I've heard some talk that rather surprising advancements have beenmade," said Bob, "but there has been nothing definite known. Of course,some of the clerks have been talking about it."
"But no one has any definite information. As far as you know, the planshave not been filed in the vaults," Merritt Hughes was pressing hard foran answer, but Bob could only shake his head.
"This division handles most of the radio data," he said, "but nothing newhas been placed in the vaults here for weeks. I'm simply cleaning uproutine stuff."
"If new plans and data were filed, you might handle them," persisted hisuncle.
"That's quite likely, but I wouldn't know the contents. Everything comesin under seal and with a key number and only the engineers know the keyand the contents of the sealed package."
"Still, you might have a hunch when the papers are important?"
"I might. There is always talk in the department. But I would have no wayof actually knowing what was going through my hands."
"I was afraid of that," admitted his uncle. "It makes things all theharder. If you only knew when the plans were going through you would bein a position to use every precaution."
"But I don't take any chances now," retorted Bob. "Extreme care is usedwith every single batch of plans that are sent over by the engineers."
"Oh, I didn't mean that you were careless, Bob," smiled the Department ofJustice agent. "I only meant that if you knew when radio secrets weregoing through you could use additional care and set up extraprecautions."
"You must be afraid something is going to be stolen."
"That's exactly what is troubling me," confessed his uncle, "and I'mafraid that unknowingly you may be involved. I don't want you to getcaught in a trap if I can help it. That's why I stopped here tonight. Iwanted to have this talk with you, to warn you that there have beenimportant discoveries by the engineers and that they may be through in afew days. From now on watch every single document that is sent throughyour hands. Don't let it out of your sight from the moment it isdelivered to you until you have filed it and placed it properly in thevaults. Understand?"
Bob, his face grave, nodded. "I'll see that nothing like that happens.But who could be after these new plans?"
Merritt Hughes shrugged his shoulders.
"Bob, if I could answer that question this problem would be comparativelysimple. The answer may be right here in this department; again it may besome outside force that we can only guess at."
"Are you working alone on this case?" Bob continued.
A shadow of a frown passed over Merritt Hughes' face.
"I wish I were; I'd feel more sure of my ground."
"That means Condon Adams is also on the job," put in Bob, for he knew ofthe sharp feeling between his uncle and Adams, another ace operative ofthe bureau of investigation. They had been together on several cases andat every opportunity Adams had tried to obtain all of the credit for thesuccessful outcome of their efforts. He was both unpleasant and ruthless,but he had a faculty of getting results, and Bob knew that for thisreason alone he was able to retain his position.
The fact that Condon Adams was on the case placed a different light on itfor Bob, for Adams had a nephew, Tully Ross, who was in the archivesdivision of the department with Bob. There was nothing in common betweenthe two young men. Tully was short of stature, with a thick chest andshort, powerful arms. His eyebrows were dark and heavy, set close abovehis rather small eyes, and his whole face reflected an innate crueltythat Bob knew must exist. If Condon Adams was also on the case, it meantthat Tully Ross would be doing his best to help his uncle for like Bob,Tully was intent upon getting into the bureau of investigation.
Bob's lips snapped into a thin, firm line. All right, if that was the wayit was to be, he'd see that Tully had a good fight.
Merritt Hughes smiled a little grimly.
"Thinking about Tully Ross?" he asked.
Bob nodded.
"Then you know what we're up against. It's two against two and if you andI win I'm sure that I can get you into the bureau. If we don't, thenTully may go up. What do you say?"
"I say that we're going to win," replied Bob, and there was sterndetermination in his words.
"That's the way to feel. Keep up that kind of spirit and you'll get inthe bureau before you know it. In the meantime, don't let any tricks getaway from you in this routine. Watch every document that comes into yourhands and let me know at the slightest unusual happening in thisdivision."
"I'll even put eyes in the back of my head," grinned Bob as his unclestood up and donned his topcoat.
"How long will you work tonight?" asked Merritt Hughes as he opened thedoor which gave access to the hallway.
"Probably two hours; maybe even three."
"Watch yourself. Goodnight."
Then he was gone and Bob was alone in the high-vaulted room where therays from the light on his desk failed to penetrate into the deep shadowsand a strange feeling of premonition crept over him. For a moment he feltthat someone was watching him and to dispel this feeling he turned on theglaring top lights.
The room was empty!
Agent Nine Solves His First Case: A Story of the Daring Exploits of the G Men Page 2
