He pressed a button on top of the desk, and in response to the summons, a side door opened, and a main in plain clothes entered.
"You rang, sir?"
"Yes, McAdams; this gentleman here—"
"Captain West, as I am a sinner!" he exclaimed. "Gee! but I am glad to see you again, old man! Say. By Gad! you don't remember me."
"Oh, but I certainly do, Mac," and West grasped the extended hand heartily. "It's a devil of a surprise, that's all. Saw you last at Brest, the day you sailed for home. So this was your job, Sergeant?"
"Been with the department ever since I was a kid. Put me in plain clothes since I came back. Lieutenant, this is Captain West, over across the pond with the Engineers; we were buddies for about two months. What was wanted, sir?"
"Well, Captain West has just been telling me a rather peculiar story, and wanted some information I thought perhaps you could give; you know the old town right now better than I do. First of all, do you recall any crook by the name of Hobart—Jim Hobart?"
"Hobart? Hobart? no, not off hand, I don't. How old a man is he,
Captain?"
"Middle-aged, anyway; an active fellow enough, but his hair is quite grey."
"Do you know where he hangs out?"