"I want to see you in private," he said, in a low tone.
The voice of the stranger sounded strangely familiar to Hal. Where had he heard it before?
Allen looked perplexed for an instant, and then seemed to comprehend the situation. He at once led the way to the office in the rear. The stranger entered, and the door was once more tightly closed.
Our young hero at once left off writing, and tiptoed his way back. An idea had struck him concerning the stranger's identity, and the first words from behind the thin partition proved that he was correct.
"So you have donned the disguise, Hardwick," were Allen's words.
"Yes, deuce take the luck, I was forced to do it."
"You got my letter advising it?"
"I did. But that wasn't what brought me to it. I was followed by one of old Sumner's detectives."
"Ha! Did he discover anything?"
"Not from me. But I'm afraid he did in another direction."