“Come in!”
The door was pushed inward and Stockham Calvert entered the room.
“Holy smoke!” exclaimed Mike, “as Father Malone said when he saw his church burning.”
CHAPTER XXVIII
Plucking a Brand From the Burning
“Good day, my friends!” was the greeting of the detective as he closed the door behind him, strode forward and saluted Mike, who, after his exclamation, rose from his chair and, open mouth and staring eyes, limply clasped the hand that was offered him.
“I wasn’t looking for you, Mike, but I was searching for Hor—I beg pardon, Orestes Noxon. I hope I see you well, barring the slight injury to the leg inflicted by Mr. Gerald Buxton last night.”
And what did the officer do but shake hands with Noxon, who kept his seat as if in a daze? Mike, who was watching the couple, instantly noted a significant fact. Beyond question the two were acquaintances. The face of the young man flushed scarlet and he said faintly: