Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-04-17

iNODlioOi WuIhtu tOWu1u Tie uOOT, anu
as he did SO Elmendorf half rose from
his chair and then sat down again.
The accountant presently appeared.
He received some memoranda from Al.
den and went out again. There was
on interval of silence. while Elmendorf
devoted himself to the enjoyment of n
large cigar and Alden jotted down fig
ures on slip Of paper.
"Wonder what's become of Robin
son." said Alden at last.
The detective offered no opinion
upon this point, and Alden stepped TO
the door and glanced into the large
room. Elmendorf heard some one say
In response to question that Robin
son had gone out. Alden seemed an
noyed as he returned to his desk,
where he hastily wrote a note to Rob-
inson.
Now" he said, "I'm going up
town."
"st. winlfred's?" querled Elmen.
dorf.
II shall call there about o'clock"
eff you'll go over to the Aston House
with me-" said Elmendorf, land wait
about three minutes while l transact
little business, III go up with you,
and we can talk on the way. There
are few questions that I'd like to
ask after I've Strengthened them out
in my own mind a bit"
Alden saw no objection to this ar
rangement, and so they walked over
to the old hotel together. Elmendorf
glanced at his watch as they entered
and then approached the attendant in
charge of the telephone booths in the
hall.
There will be a call for Mr.. Elmen-
dorf from Philadelphia in about a
minute" lie said. 81 AIN the man."
The call came within the interval
stated, and Elmendorf entered the
booth. where he gave the customary
greeting. which was returned in a ia
miliar voice.
I've got track of your m2n over
here" said the voice. "R. appears TO
be his real name; didn't suppose it
was. He was lin trouble over here a
little more than year ago and had to
get out of town; borrowed some
money on bogus security" And the
voice furnished a few details Of the
transaction. He has been trying to
straighten it out lately and is not in
danger of arrest here; has been over
several times. There are rumors that
he got into similar trouble in Wash
incton. but I'm not down to that yet.
One man who knows him here thinks
he had letters from Il girl named Mil
Ter: doesn't know whether she was
on the stage or anything about her, in
fact; isn't even sure Of the name. but
I'm going to get more information
about that. As to other inquiries,
nothing as vet, but will write YOU this
evening""
IAN right" responded Elmendorf.
Hustle, old man. This thing is get
ting prett. ripe over here. And, re-
member, this is personal business; it
isn't official. | may want to cover the
whole matter up"
The man is no good, guess" said
the voice.
Il don't care anything about the
man." reicincd Elmendorf. "or the
other one either It's the girl I'm
Interested in. Nothing is too good for
her or ever was. and if the worst
comes | want to be in n position to
wiring somebody's neck and wiring it
hard. | don't know whose it will be
yet. How about the recordsT
"NothInG in siCht."
'Wpll. there must be somewhere. Mr.
Tantalus has got to be accounted for
Much obliged to you. Goodhy."
Elmendorf rejoined Alden. who in the
meantime had engaged a hanson.
Your secretary. Robinson. seems to
he a handy man." said Elucndorf after
some desultCry conversation
Hes very obligins,' replied Alden.
''rcrfcctly honest, | suppoSe:'
Never knew ANYTHING TO the contra
ry," said Alden. He doesn't handle
any money"
lie handled $500 the other day"
suggested Elmcndorf.
"But he didn't know it," replied Al
den, u don. mean to imply anything
tie about him. and never trust man
any further than know him. never
trust a man with money unless | know
the money side of him. 1t is possible
to be a good. straight fellow about ev-
crything else ana have a weakness
there"
u should think you ought to be n
pretty good business man." said Elmen-
dorf
Il suffer from the same trouble that
you have" replied Alden; I'm too hon
est"
"Thcres nothing honest about me-"
protested Elmcndorf gloomily. ITS
my luck; never have chance. By
the way" he added, changing his tone,
Robinson knew Miss Miller quite well,
didn't he?"
only through me-" answered Alden.
Il used to get him to take messages to
her house quite often. 1t was conven'
lent; lie lived near by"
Yes" said Elmcndorf. "They told
me ut the house that he came quite Of
ten, DO you remember the first note
with her name on it that you ever gave
himI Well, ! happen to know that lie
took it to your bookkeeper. Willett, and
asked who Miss Miller was. lie SEEM
ed to be quite interested. Afterward
he told Willett that he was mistaken in
supposing that he knew Miss Miller.
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