Picture Play Magazine (Oct-Nov 1915)

1 10 PICTURE-PLAY WEEKLY position as a waitress, and walked into the detective agency. "I came to see about that Rogers robbery," she said. "Well, what about it?" gruffly answered the chief. She pulled the flash-light picture from her bag. "Not much," she said. "Only I happened to follow those two, and took that picture." The chief gasped and looked at it. He pressed a button, and two detectives In the jail, Jack raved in his cell. "Just to think that I am locked up," he said. "Why, I would no more think of robbing my own father than I would of jumping off the bridge!" A step sounded in the corridor, and his father appeared before the door with the turnkey. "Jack," he cried happily, "the real robbers have been found. Some one who refused to give his name captured them." "Dad," gasped Jack, in joyous amazement, "I'm so glad! Good-by, old cell!" With flashing eyes Marian took it. came in. "Here," he said, "there's your real crooks ; go get them ! And now, miss, you earned the five thousand. Here !" He passed her the check. Smilingly, Marian took the check. It meant life for her, real life. "Say," said the chief suddenly, "you are pretty slick. Do you want to join my force?" A joyous smile crossed Marian's face. "Would you really give me a chance?" she asked incredulously. "Sure. You followed those guys fine. What do you say?" "I'm right on the job," she answered. "I'll start in at once." Together they went out. "But wasn't it peculiar that the person didn't give his name?" he asked, as they both got into the automobile. In her little office in the detective agency, Marian was gathering notes for her future novel. The cases were mystifying, and she already had her book well filled up. The chief's phone rang, and he picked it up. "Hello ! Yes, this is Brannigan. Who, John Rogers, senior? Yes, Mr. Rogers. You have a private case, and you want my best woman detective?" Marian pricked up her ears and watched the chief as he gazed thought fully about. "Well," he said, "I'll see whether can fix you up. I believe I can. Sure ] I'll have some one over there imme diately." "Oh, Mr. Brannigan," said Marian her eyes glowing in excitement, "let mi take the case. I want to take it. anc you know I can handle it." The chief looked at her. "Yes," he said finally, "I guess yot I are the best I have around. Go to it!' J Five minutes later Marian presentee herself at the office of John Rogers. The old man had a worried loolj about his eyes, and he seemed preoc cupied. "Sit down !" he directed. "Now, I'l j tell you about this case. It is all abou this son of mine, Jack." Marian held her breath, and lookec ; away. "Yes," she said softly, "what abou him ?" "Well, he is becoming mixed up wit! an actress, and I want to break him o the habit. I thought that probably with the help of some one like you, h( might be cured forever of his darned fool ideas." John Rogers, although a shrewd man never recognized in the snappy young lady sitting before him the kitchenmak to whom he had married his son ir the endeavor to cure him. "Well," said Marian decisively, "yoi hire me as your private secretary foi two weeks, and I'll guarantee to curt this wayward son of yours." "Ssh!" cautioned the old man. think he is coming now." Like a flash, Marian grasped a hand; notebook, and said : "Dictate to me quick !" John Rogers picked up a letter anc began dictating. "Say, father," began Jack, as h( strode in, "I want " His father went right on dictating while Marian cast her big brown eye up at the young fellow. Jack lookec back at her. "Jove !" he said to himself. "She' a pippin ! I wonder where the old gen got on to her. I must get in on this." "I can't see you now, Jack," said Mr Rogers, looking up. "I'm very busy Suppose you come back." Jack looked once more at the eye stealing toward him.