Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-11-30
CHAPTER v.

your clever work. Mr.. Royce" he said.
Evil you take the good news to Miss
Holiday"
flush of pleasure which reddened his
cheeks but he managed to speak un-
concernedly.
"Why. yes: certainly. I'll be glad to,
il you wish it," he said.
II do wish it," Goldberg assured him.
with tact and penetration I thought
/ admirable. You may dismiss the po-
lceman who is with her"
Our junior looked inquiringly at the
district attorney.
Before I CO." he said. may I ask
what you intend doing sir?"
81 intend finding the writer Of that
note" answered Singleton. smiling
but. about Miss HoladsyW
Singleton tapped his lips thought
fully with his pencil
"Rcfore l answer" he said at last, II
should like to go with you and ask her
one question"
Very well" assented Ms. Royce in
stantly and led the way to the room
where Miss Holiday awaited us.
She rose with flushing face as we ell
tered and stood looking at US without
speaking: but, despite her admirable
composure. could guess how she was
racked with anxiety.
Miss Holiday" began my chief
"ths is Mr.. Singleton. the district at
torney who wishes to ask you a few
questions"
"One question only" corrected Sin
gleton, bowling. Were you at your IA
Tiers Office yesterday afternoon, Miss
Holladay?"
NO, sir" she answered instantly and
emphatically. Il have not been near
my fathers Office for more than a
week.
I saw him study her for a moment,
then he bowed again.
THAT is ALL" he said. 81 don't think
the evidence justifies me in holding
her. Mr.. Royce" and he left the room.
! followed him. for I knew that had
no further part in our juniors errand.
went back to our table and busied
myself gathering together our belong
ings The room had gradually cleared
and at the end of ten minutes only
the coroner and his clerk remained
They had another case, 1t seemed. to
open in the morning another case
which perhaps involved Just as great
heartachc and anguish as ours had.
Five minutes later my chief came hur-
rying back to me and a glance ut his
m n ~ ha no
welcomed
Miss Holiday has started home
with her mad.'' he said. "She ask ed
me to thank you for her for the great
work you did this afternoon, Lester.
told her 1t was really you who had
done everything. Yes. 1t was" he add
ed. answering my gesture Of denial.
"While was cropping helplessly
around In the dark you found the way
to the light. But come; we must get
back to the Office
We found cab at the curb and In
moment were rolling back over tn
!, route we had traversed that morning
ages ago, as 1t seemed to me! 1t wa
only a few minutes after 3 o'clock
time to complete the papers in tn
: Hurd case before leaving for the night
: Mr.. Graham was still at his desk
and he at once demanded an accOun
, OF the hearing. l went back to m,
work, and SO caught only word her
and there-enough, however, to SHOW
! me that our senior was deeply inter
: ested in this extraordinary affair. A
for me- put all thought of it resolute
work in hand. 1t was done at last
and l locked my desk with a sigh O
relief. Mr.. Graham nodded to m
,, kindly as / passed out, and I left tn
office with the comfortable feelin
that had done good days work fo
myself as well as for my employers.
A man who had apparently bee
lettering in the hall followed me int
the elevator.
This IL Mr.. Lester, isn't III"
= asked a. the car started to descend.
!. EYES," said, looking at him In 81
! prise. He was well dressed, wit
alert eyes and strong. pleasing face.
had never seen him before.
And you're going to dinner, areu
i. you, MIR. I.esterY he continued.
"Yss-to dinner" l assented, mol
and more surprised.
"Now, don't think me impertinent
he said. smiling at my look Of amaz
ment. but ! want you to dine wit
me this evening. l can promise 70
. as good meal as you will get at mo
y places In New York"
But I'm not dressed" protested.
I, "That doesn't matter In the least
= neither am !, you see. We will dill
without Others.'"
"Where?" l questioned.
= "Well, how would the Studio suit? 2"
|. The car had reached the ground doc
= and We left 1t together. ! was cor
;. pletely In the dark az to my compa
= ions purpose, and yet It could have b.
= one sxplanstIon--it must be copnect'
- In some way with the Holiday cas-
/. Unlsss-aud l glanced at him agar
No. certainly. he was not \ cenAdeu
:. man--even II he was, I would rath
|. welcome The adventure. NY sHvtssf