He was aroused from this bitter revery by a rapping at the door.  Opening, he admitted Slawson, his valet.  The servile one handed him a letter with a special-delivery stamp on it.

“Excuse me for intruding, sir,” said Slawson, meekly smiling, “but I knew this was urgent.”

“All right.  Get out!” growled Flint.  When the man was gone, he fortified himself with a couple of morphine tablets, and ripped the long envelope.  It was from Slade, he knew, of the Cosmos Agency.

With a rapid eye he glanced it over.  Then uttering a sudden oath, he studied it carefully, under the electric bulb beside his dressing-table.

“Gods and devils!” he ejaculated.  “What next?”

The letter read: 

     142A Park Row, New York City, June 28, 1921.

     Isaac L. Flint, Esq.,

     Idle Hour, Englewood, N. J.

     Dear Sir: 

      Reporting in the matter of the young man who rescued your
     daughter, in the recent accident, let me say I have discovered his
     identity and some important facts concerning him.  I take the
     liberty of thinking that your intention of rewarding him, when
     found, will be somewhat modified by this information.

This man’s name is Gabriel Armstrong, age 24.  Occupation, expert electrical and chemical worker.  A Socialist and labor agitator, of the most dangerous type, because intellectual and well-read.  A man of considerable power and influence in Socialist and labor circles.  Has been something of a wanderer.  Is well known to union men and Socialists, all over the country.  A powerful speaker, and resourceful.

He was last employed at your testing-works on Staten Island.  Discharged by your Mr. Herzog, about two weeks ago for having, I understand, been in possession of a certain red-covered note-book, which Mr. Herzog found in his pocket.  This book is the same which you commissioned me to find, but which Mr. Herzog returned to you before I undertook the search for it.  The inference is that this Armstrong is in possession of some private information about your work, which may make him even more dangerous.  Herzog informs me that you and Mr. Waldron have had Armstrong blacklisted.  But this seems of no importance to the man, as he is clever and can live anywhere, by casual labor and by working with the Socialists.

Armstrong is now at Syracuse.  He has been tramping the roads.  Have had two of my operators enter his room at the Excelsior Lodging House and search, his effects, while he was taking a bath.  Can find nothing to give me any legal means of proceeding against him.  He has some ready money, so a vagrancy-charge will not hold.  If you wish me to resort to extreme measures to “get” him, kindly give me carte blanche, and guarantee me protection in case of trouble.  The job can be done, but it may be risky, in view of his influence and