duced on the large photographic print which Glad

s chair to bend over the map. As Curlie stood there looking down at it, the girl in

with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly prin

ich surely could not faithfully represent the true lines of the shore. Towns were shown, but only on the shoreline, their names printed in by hand in such small letters as would require a magnifying glass to read them. Crossing and recross

er left-hand corner was what appeared to be the name of

map and appears to be very ancient, but I can hardly s

," suggested Gladys, turnin

udy of it, "is written in some strange tongue

suggested Curlie, pointing out certain spots

'clock. He knows several languages. Perh

er. "Now about these messages," he went on

had come to him, the notion that Vincent Ardmore and som

would attempt anything. Now that you speak of it, I do think there might be something in your theory. Perhaps after all we ma

I have seen some such maps as

he

big library, the one

Newto

ncient maps. Oh, a very great number, and such strange affairs as

ing to Curlie, "may I command your

ie b

by a study of the maps my daughter speaks of. Unfortunately I am engaged; I cannot go

his heart of hearts he assured himse

"I suggest that you plan on being back here at eleven. By t

he dismissed them wit

usive property, hurried them away toward the north side library, Curlie

sts: his loyalty to the radio secret service bureau and his desire to be of service to this girl and her father. The girl, as he stole a glance at her, appeared disturbed and tro

cked car before the reporters had arrived. The laborer would hardly do that without orders from someone. Who had that someone been? The millionaire had denied all

ry interesting

rlie feigned ignor

you do? Listen in on

ted. How di

you've asked, t

he hesitated, "i

"is a state secret; ver

breathed.

ie n

ing lik

cret room of yours." There was a look on her face that he had not seen there before. It was disturbing. It spoke of a qualit

wouldn't try," h

" she exclaimed,

the way up the broad steps of a

ast fund of knowledge stowed away between those wal

pskin and vellum, gray and brown with age, yet with colors as bright as on the day they were

50. Made before the days of Columbus. And look! It is like t

y shaped islands in the lower, right-hand corner are not o

inted tone, "I had hoped it might be the

an idea. Leaving the girl's si

een photographed recently

hers. They're in a bound volume in the next room. There the maps are reproduced on

was soon turning the pages of a la

ge for some time, he came to a ha

for Vincent Ardmore and, if further proof were lacking, there on the opposite page was

ee times he wrote down a brief note on a scrap of paper. When he had finished, he look

m looking at it, he paused for a second to banish all sign of

sked in as quiet a to

orried look in her eyes. "I'm

"does your brother happen to have a p

that's Alfred Brightwood. They

t that mi

nk-think-" s

for much. It's facts which really matter. Excuse me; I'll b

ry he conversed long and

h the thing up. We can't let rich young offenders off easily. It would destroy the

ed, he got Joe Ma

ke Shore station at one-fifteen prepared for a short trip. Where to? Oh, New York and then some. It's important

back?" he a

ghtening suddenly, "Yes, let's hurry back. Perhaps the prof