Chapter I: Front Matter

ASHTON-KIRK SECRET AGENT

BY John T. McIntyre Author of "Ashton-Kirk Investigator," &c.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY RALPH L. BOYER

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY PHILADELPHIA 1912

COPYRIGHT 1912 BY THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY

_To_ _Helen Ray_

Introduction

Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall references to several affairs in which the United States government found the investigator's unusual powers of inestimable service. In such matters, tremendous interests often stand dangerously balanced, and the most delicate touch is required if they are not to be sent toppling. As Ashton-Kirk has said:

"When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure. Otherwise an unthinkable horror might be brought about."

It frequently happens that such a crisis arises, the issue is joined and fought out to the bitter end, and the watchful public press never gets even a hint of it. Indeed, if the secret archives of the nations were thrown open for inspection, a long series of appalling dangers would be shown to have been passed by each--dangers arising from small and apparently remote things, but capable of swift and deadly growth.

Experience, steady courage, and sure talent are required in dealing with such things; and these qualities Ashton-Kirk possesses in abundance. To be sure, the departments of the government have the "Secret Service" at their hand; but the specialist is called in when the general practitioner is at a loss, and he is as much a part of the structure as his regularly employed colleague.

The adventure of the present story is only one of many to be told of Ashton-Kirk.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE
I. SOME PECULIAR CIRCUMSTANCES 11
II. ASHTON-KIRK GOES TO EASTBURY 33
III. AN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIR 50
IV. THE TAKING OFF OF DR. MORSE 64
V. THE HOUND STRIKES THE TRAIL 76
VI. THE VISIT OF OKIU 89
VII. THE METHYLENE STAIN 101
VIII. THE HOUSE ON FORDHAM ROAD 116
IX. OKIU ONCE MORE 126
X. SOME STARTLING INTELLIGENCE 135
XI. A RAY OF LIGHT 144
XII. KARKOWSKY GETS SOME ATTENTION 157
XIII. OLD NANON SPEAKS 167
XIV. OKIU WRITES A LETTER 176
XV. ALMOST! 181
XVI. IN THE DARK 195
XVII. THE SILHOUETTES 204
XVIII. GONE! 214
XIX. THE TAXI-CAB 223
XX. FRESH DEVELOPMENTS 240
XXI. THE MAN WITH THE DECORATION 247
XXII. THE GERMAN EMBASSY BALL 256
XXIII. WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT 276
XXIV. SURPRISED! 284
XXV. CAUGHT! 295
XXVI. THE TRUTH 308
XXVII. CONCLUSION 321

Illustrations

PAGE
HE TOOK UP THE ENVELOPE _Frontispiece_
"WHO BROUGHT THE NEWS?" 73
THE GLITTERING EYES LIFTED 197
"MY TIME IS SHORT" 279