The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1881-07-20
CHAPTER XIV.
MISS VAN DUENz ooNr1DEs IN NIB. DAITOs.

To return to James Dalton.
He sat penning letter to his mother in
Switzerland. The room in which he sat
was an upper one in modest dwelling on
Charlton Street, where he had taken up his
abode since entering upon his work of deteC-
tive.
The letter was almost finished when gem
tie tap sounded from the panel Of the door.
He rose and opened the door.
"Good morning Miss Suydam."
Clarice Suydam took the profered chair,
and drew it to the window, where she seated
| herself.
'James Dalton, I am beginning to get
! discouraged" she said, fretfuIly. 81 can
see no good fruits from our efforts to-"
james Dalton interrupted her.
F'Clarice, you must not complain. You
! know not what may have come about since
| we last met l think we have everything to
/ encourage u.s."
"Ahl Then you have learned something's
eyes"
The peculiar eyes of Clarence Suydam's
| intense look upon Mr.. Dalton.
'Why are you SO reticent?" she asked,
| petulantly.
Because am not yet OF liberty to di-
| vulge my discovery. am, however, able to
/ say that am fully convinced that Maud
! Ovington is either the murderess or the &C
! complete of the murderer of Clarence Suy-
! dam"
81 am hopeful, if you are convinced,
! James," said Clarice, calmly. "But why
not make me the possessor of your discoV-
eryP"
because you are impetuous. Still, ere
long will tell you. Whatever you do will
not conflict with my plans"
That was all the answer Clarice succeeded
in obtaining.
A long discussion ensued, and then the
two separated.
After mailing his letter, Mr.. Dalton took
his way to the residence of the young woman
whom he had, few days before saved from
| a violent death. He was ushered into the
drswing-rOom by colored man-servant.
While awaiting the appearance of Miss
Van Duyne, he made O thorough inspection
of the room. Everything was Of the costliest
material, but there were some parts of the
room strangely out of contour with the ap-
pofntments. One of the peculiarities was
an opening before the Fireplace; this OPEN
ing had neither CRATE nor stove in front of it,
but was kalsomined the same as the ceiling,
and seemed to be neither ornamental nor
useful.
Through this aperture came sounds as of
a number of men conversing in low, earnest,
almost angry tones, but James Dalton could
not distinguish the words.
What meant the presence of SO many men
at such time of day9 Was this a gambling
house?
The words of the keen-eyed man whom he
had seen with Miss Van Duyne flashed across
James Dalton's mind. While he was debat-
ing the relationship of this man to the young
woman, Miss Van DUyne entered the room,
clothed in a pale-blue morning dress, her
face wreathed in smiles.
81 had little time to spare, madam, and
improved it by coming to inquire ifyou have
entirely recovered from your fright, and if
the coachman was severely injured"
This was his excuse, as he rose and bowed
in acknowledgement of her courteous well
come.
"Oh, thank you, sir" she returned. ST
am quite recovered; but alas! the poor
coachman is likely to suffer from his wounds
for months to come"
After a few minutes conversation, James
Dalton rose to depart, more than ever inn
pressed by the pleasant manner and hand
some face of the young woman whose life he
had saved.
"Can ask great favor, Mr.. Dalton2" she
Rsid, as he leaned earelessly against the
mantel in front of the open fireplace.
Her voice was sunk to almost whisper,
Command me-, he replied.
please come away from that manteL."
He obeyed, wonderingly.
''What is it, madam"
''I am surrounded by evil companions"
she said, trembling, sand I would escape
them, if l could, but am. helplessI There
are those upstairs, just above as, who do
not dream that I would dare to confde to
stranger their secrets, but, if you will meet
me at twelve tomorrow noon, in the wait.
ing-room of French's Hotel, New York,
will tell you something which will be Of
great service to you, and lasting benefit to
me-"
James Dalton gave the young woman a
quick, searching glance, and replied, in
equally low tones:
81 will be there!"
A noise as of the dropping of some article
upon the floor above caused Miss Van Duyne
to start.
'four interview must endI" she said. II
am expected upstairs"
''Are there any other women in this
house, madame?" he asked, sharply, as the
sound struck upon his ear.
''One," replied Miss Van Duyne, humbly,
and her eyes sought the carpet.
''Only One2"
''That is all. F."
''You are sure2"
Positively. I am speaking the truth,
sir. Do you doubt meP"
Her voice trembled, and her eyes were
InOlSG VIII tears.
evil you keep the appointment you have
just NADER" she asked.
81 will
The following day, as the han6s of the
City Hall clock indicated the hour of twelve,
James Dalton stood at the entrance of
French's Hotel with Miss Van Duyne.
She was heavily yelled and dressed IN
sober black.
The day was dismal, and the drilling
folI Let, Fou
in the waiting-room of the hotel.
Mr.. Dalton accompanied the young wo-
man to seat in one corner, and placed him
self beside her, directing her to proceed with
her story.
81 have little to tell you, sir" murmured
Miss Van Duyne through her veil, "but, lit
tie as it is, would not divulge it in that
heard, and that would have been death to
me. The house you were in is o resort for
thieves"
This intelligence was not half so startling
as the listener had anticipated.
s1There are q number of men living there
whose sole occupation is the robbing of the
wealthy" continued the beautiful woman.
81 am, by the force of circumstances, COM
PEELED to live among them, for have had
no other home since my mother died"
Tears trickled down her silken cheeks and
dropped upon her heaving bosom. eff /
could only GET awav from theml" she sighed.
''t1ave you any relatives among those
men?" asked James Dalton, thinking, per-
haps, of the keen-eyed man.
"Yes-a brotherl@ she moaned. 'tPoor,
wicked creatureF''
ssAh!" exclaimed James Dalton. evil
you assist in bringing those thieves 10 jus
tice2"
She shook her head.
81 cannot-oh, cannotF' she said. can
wish is to escape from them, and my pres
ent mode of life. ann in danger of being
arrested should anything happenr
'tAre they men who would commit any