Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-03-20

He took tho steps torwdrd aud then
hated.
not always hold If the lock has not
been repaired. there may be an expla.
nation of some mysterious points in
this case"
If there had been an eye upon De.
tective Elmendorf at this moment, it
would have noted that he was much
interested, but no one was looking at
him. He himself was observing Bren.
da closely.
Alden had begun to pace the floor,
his hand upon his forehead.
II can't stay here any longer" he
said suddenly. II must see Elsie.
must know Jack! How came you
here"
The question was addressed to a
young man who entered with Captain
Neale. He was in MS normal state a
rather handsome fellow, with the OK
eyes that the Greeks adm red for wo.
mem and broad forehead above Them
but in this moment his face was dis
torted with excitement and striped
with perspiration that trickled from
his forehead. The total effect was
somewhat grotesque, especially be-
cause the man was inclined to fairness
and was trihe conspicuous in the
matter Of attire.
This is dreadful, DREADFUL he cried.
II can't believe it,
80; 4
the note to Miss Miller" said Neale.
That's why l sent a man to your
house"
Yes" said Robinson, turning to Al
den. Il didn't go back to the Office i'm
mediately. | went over to the place
where live. was just going down
town again when a policeman met me
at the door"
Did you know what was in that
note" asked Neale.
II knew there was money" was the
reply. but l didn't know how much.
1t was sealed when Mr.. Alden gave it
to me. He said there was money in it.
That was why | brought it instead Of
giving it to messenger boy"
what happened here?" the captain
asked.
Nothing" answered Robinson. IL
gave the note to Elsie
ITO whom" said the captain.
"To Miss Miller; that is what I said
I gave the note to Miss Miller, and she
opened it by the window. | didn't see
any money. | wasn't in the room ten
seconds-merely long enough TO ask If
there was any answer, and she said no.
Then l went away"
Meet anybody"
1.-THE servant who let me in was pass
ing through the hall as went out"
That's important" said the captain.
at fixes you all right. The servant
stopped at Miss Mller's door. knocked,
asked a question and got an answer.
Then she went along down stairs
Fixes me-" gasped Robinson. as
anybody crazy enough to think did
this?"
mo-" said the captain. you're out
of it. And now. Mr.. Alden. let me tell
you that I've just had report from the
hospital The girl is alive, and the doe
tors think she has fair chance"
What does she say" exclaimed Rob
inson.
"She hasn't said anything yet" re
piled the captain. And now let's get
on with our little affairs here. guess
you can't help us any. Mr. Robinson.
so II you'll just take seat in the par
lor"- He waited till the young man
had passed out Of the room. 'Now
Miss Maclane, I'd like to know LITTLE
more about you II it's perfectly agree
able"
Il am the daughter Of Duncan Mac
lane" said Brenda.
At the mention Of this wealthy and
widely known man Neale softly whis
| tied.
1T amt possible" he said, that you
are the young lady with lot Of money
and a high social position that you
mentioned awhile ago as being engag-
ed TO our friend here?
II am the woman" replied Brenda.
"And the engagements been broken
off? When?'
Captain began Alden, but the Of
tlcer raised his hand.
"A bargains bargain" he said. 81
| was to have the truth. When was the
Engagement broken off,"
This afternoon" answered Brenda
| irmly. II went down to Mr.. Alden's
Office at half past I. had expected 10
see him last evening, but"