Ghost Beyond the Gate

W CH

ttle, walked slowly toward the Star office. Throughout

hat the publisher had been missing nearly twenty-four hours. E

with displeasure the story

t this go through," she thought. "If

A long time elapsed before the cage descended. To her surprise she saw tha

y," the man apologized. "I'm not much

se this morn

ir

d ten years at the Star plant. Although not strictly efficient, Mose's h

f you ask me," t

Charley? Who d

guy Sc

r? But he has

I think he was just tryin' o

Mr. DeWitt is in full charge

ht with a bad pain in his tummy. Seems he had an appendicitis attack. T

e murmured that she hoped

e all chipped in and sent him some flo

ack to the problem

arged him," she comm

a button and the cag

he explained. "He didn't get

e a reason for

mething about being detained by a ghost! Schirr didn't go for it

y replied. "Dad l

from you

was determined to keep her troubles to hers

Mose now

he furnace. Says he's afraid to go home for

for me?" Penny requested. "I want to tal

sitating, he added: "If you've got any influence

led Penny. "Surely

or he said to me: 'Charley, there's going to be a few changes made around here. I'm going to cut out all the old

y," Penny cheered him. "We couldn

r of activity, pounding out their stories. Copy boys had a nervous, tense expression

's office!" informed one of the copy desk men i

y no

lace is operating on an efficiency-plus basis now

her's office, tapping on

d Schirr, his voice

ed, and the editor bowed and smiled. As if she

said. "So far, we've had no luck and the police admit t

lacking sincerity. Determining to waste no

plied Mr. Schirr. "Naturally in his absence I have a

the fro

. However, she knew it would do no good. The account, once printed, co

on has been discha

rawer, helping himself to one of Mr. Parker's cigars. "

r always

shrug. "Well, thank you for dropping in, Miss Parker. If we hav

e office. Schirr's attitude angered her. He had made

ly-busy newsroom, had focused upon her. Deliberately, she composed herself. Acting un

Johnson. She found the old colored man curle

straightened up as suddenly as if

n' you down heah in dis dumpy fu'nace room. But I thanks

g a ghost dream

min' about dat same ghost I sa

directing the conversation wher

nted. "It must have been quite a live

irmed, bobbing his woolly head. "Why, i

ng a bit supers

a ghost dat ain't dar. But when you sees one dat is d

ll me about it,

e as always. I picks up mah lunch box de ole lady packed fo' me, an' scoots off toward de bus stop to get de 1

?" interrupted Penn

inds up Craig Hill? It's

g estate house with the

to de old Harrison place. De ghost nevah sees me, but I gets a good close-up of him. He was dresse

y. "And then what happened

ail an' runs as fast as a man half mah age could go, an' I

u been a drinkin' some mo' o' dat white-eye. It's twelve o'clock dis minute and you'se missed

ain't got no job an' no mo' home than a rabbit. I'se suah bubblin' ove

ou'll promise to attend strictly to your duties hereafte

l!" he said jubilantly. "I won't have

easant ordeal for Penny. Nevertheless, she so

tor said pointedly.

ith Mose Johnson and was convinced th

him back on his old

ossi

inquired Penny, stiffening for an

iness. I have a job to do here an

ill show up bef

your feelings. Perhaps your father will be found, but you know I tried t

as fallen into the cl

d

think so? Have y

a s

rn Dad intended to e

I heard him talking to J

I s

s discussion," Mr. Schirr said

?" Penny asked, revertin

ady given

aid, trying to control her voice. "It's not a c

wh

avor I ask you t

king an is

that if y

ed a paper weight across the desk and i

iffly, "we'll restore y

ou, Mr.

an understanding. While your father is absent, I'm in full charge here