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Book Cover]
HE TOOK UP THE ENVELOPE]
ASHTON-KIRKSECRET AGENT
BYJohn T. McIntyreAuthor of "Ashton-Kirk Investigator," &c.
THE PENN PUBLISHINGCOMPANY PHILADELPHIA1912
COPYRIGHT1912 BYTHE PENNPUBLISHINGCOMPANY
_To__Helen Ray_
Introduction
Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall referencesto several affairs in which the United States government found theinvestigator's unusual powers of inestimable service. In such matters,tremendous interests often stand dangerously balanced, and the mostdelicate touch is required if they are not to be sent toppling. AsAshton-Kirk has said:
"When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, withtheir 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 andfought out to the bitter end, and the watchful public press never getseven a hint of it. Indeed, if the secret archives of the nations werethrown open for inspection, a long series of appalling dangers would beshown to have been passed by each--dangers arising from small andapparently remote things, but capable of swift and deadly growth.
Experience, steady courage, and sure talent are required in dealingwith such things; and these qualities Ashton-Kirk possesses inabundance. To be sure, the departments of the government have the"Secret Service" at their hand; but the specialist is called in when thegeneral practitioner is at a loss, and he is as much a part of thestructure as his regularly employed colleague.
The adventure of the present story is only one of many to be told ofAshton-Kirk.
CONTENTS
Illustrations
PAGE HE TOOK UP THE ENVELOPE _Frontispiece_ "WHO BROUGHT THE NEWS?" 73 THE GLITTERING EYES LIFTED 197 "MY TIME IS SHORT" 279