"But who?"
Burlingame jerked his thumb toward a photograph on the wall.
"Oh! This will be the most scrumptious event in my life. I'm wild about
her! But I haven't any clothes!"
Burlingame waved his hands. "I knew I'd hear that yodel. Eve didn't have
anything to speak of, but she travelled a lot. Truth is, Kitty, you'd
better dress in monotones. She might wake up to the fact that you're a
mighty pretty young woman and suddenly become temperamental. She has
a husband round the lot somewhere. Make him think his wife is a lucky
woman. Here's all the dope--introduction, expenses, and tickets. Train
leaves at two-fifty. Run along home and pack. Remember, I want a page
yarn. No flapdoodle or mush; straight stuff. She doesn't need any
advertising. If you go at it right you two will react upon each other as
a tonic."
Kitty realized that this little junket was the very thing she
needed--open spaces, long walks in which to think out her problem.
She hurried home and spent the morning packing. When this heartrending
business was over she summoned Tony Bernini.
"I am going out of town, Mr. Bernini. I may be gone a week."
"All right, Miss Conover." Bernini hid a smile. He knew all about this
trip, having been advised by Cutty over the wire.
"Am I being followed any more?"
"Not that we know of. Still, you never can tell. What's your
destination?" Kitty told him. "Better not go by train. I can get a fast
roadster and run you out in a couple of hours. Right after lunch you go
to the boss's garage and wait for me. I'll take care of your grips and
camera. I'll follow on your heels."
"Anybody would consider that Karlov was after me instead of Hawksley."
Bernini smiled. "Miss Conover, the moment Karlov puts his hands on you
the whole game goes blooey. That's the plain fact. There is death in
this game. These madmen expect to blow up the United States on May
first. We are easing them along because we want the top men in our net.
But if Karlov takes it into his head to get you, and succeeds, he'll
have a stranglehold on the whole local service; because we'd have to
make great concessions to free you."
"Why wasn't I told this at the start?"
"You were told, indirectly. We did not care to frighten you."
"I'm not frightened," said Kitty.
"Nope. But we wish to the Lord you were, Miss Conover. When you want to
come home, wire me and I'll motor out for you."