Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-06-21

Mr.. and Mrs Cor
don had gone out, expecting to return
within the hour. Vera had been writ
ing in her room, while in a dark corner
of the veranda Darrell sat smoking a
cigar and holding silent converse with
an unruly heart.
n servant had brought n soft felt hat
for Darrell to wear, but the young
man had tossed 1t down upon n table
| and had gone out bareheaded into the
| warm spring evening. Some minutes
after Kilziar's departure Vera came TO
| the window through which Darrell had
passed to the veranda and looked out.
but she did not see him, and he did not
see her. Turning away. she noticed
the hat upon the table. and she held II
In her hands for a moment.
When she had gone, n servant en-
tered, and, seeing the hat and decid-
ing that Mr.. Darrell did not require it,
he took It back to the gentleman's
| room, where it remained unused for
many days.
Darrell finished his cigar and re-en-
| tered the house. He hoped to find
Vera in the music room. but she was
| elsewhere the butler handed him note
written upon cheap paper, hastily fold
ed and sealed with great daubs OF
wax. BE tore 1t open and read:
The name Of the lady has been reported to the
police, and immediate action will be taken. She
viii probably be arrested as an accomplca in the
killing OF LSdislov She is not seriously s1sneet-
ed, but 1t is believed that her arrest win bring
! out other evidence.
The note was unsigned, but the writ
Ing was Fontaine's. Darrell had re-
ceived other communications from the
detective In similar form.
will you inform Miss Lorrimer that
would like to see her hereT said Oar
rell.
Vera had passed in that HOUSE. as a
cousin OF the Miss Lorrimer who had
been a guest before her and had been
called by that name before the serv-
ants.
The butler summoned a maid, who
went upon her errand and was gone so
long that Darrell became anxious and
himself assembled the stairs.
AT the head of the stairway he met
the maid, who said:
I'VE cannot lind Miss Lorrimer.
am told that she has left the house"
Have further search made instant
ly," replied Darrell st wish to see
her upon a matter Of great impor-
lance"
He descended the stairs and IA the
lower hall met Mr.. and Mrs. Gordon, TO
whom he disclosed his news. He had
scarcely done SO when the maid return
ed with the positive assurance that
Vera had gone out
"Kilziar must have told her that her
retreat was discovered" said Gordon.
"She could not find any OF usr' groan-
ed Darrell. ''The poor girl fed alone.
What series OF fatalitiesp'
They had passed from the hall into
the drawing room. Gordon now turn
ed back and, addressing the butler.
who stood With the maid near the door,
ordered that Francois be summoned at
once.
1t appeared upon Investigation that
Francois could not be found, and upon
the back Of this instructive incident the
police arrived in search OF Vera. Nat
urally they did not find her. Gordon
and Darrell lied with calmness and dig
nifty. They denied all knowledge OF
Mile. Shevaloff, and they nearly con-
WINGED the officers, though those indl-
Viduals had come with their minds full
Of perfect certainty.
At the expiration OF fruitless hour
sne police detail departed. doubtless
em1o pIoAuts posted near the house.
AUu .lu5IuOarreH went out TO search
3 's1eA loJ nd he returned after mid
AluesS+d ng learned nothing. No
OBS SuIABa' fr n her during the night