Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-11-11

AOtAs Al = strange ne nacn sent
some word himself before this time.
But I suppose he's i'll. and his daugh-
teTs are so worried about him that
they have forgotten 20 send. Just like
women" the tcsty little bachelor
added
The suggestion was acted upon in
stautly. Aller an interminable delay
a response came, evoking a simultane-
Gus murmur of dismay and the inter
change of apprehensive looks.
"swampscott. June Is
Mr.. North must have STAYED In town.
lie has not been here since yesterday morn
ing
COMFORT HARDWOOD"
STRANGE" calculated Stackhouse.
ringing the bell as he spo.e send
Mr.. Jobsou in." he added. the next
moment. 20 the waiting messenger.
The old clerk was in the room be
fore the messenger had left &c. trem-
bling an over with senile agitation.
AT what time did Mr. North leave
the Office yesterday afternoon ."
Stackhouse demanded abruptly
"lt was after Eve o'clock. sir"
WAS he alone2"
NO. sir Mr. FeJridge was with
him"
Probably went out Of town some
where with Fetridse." suggested one of
the directors. Delayed missed
train. Very provoking ON this day.
too. Of all others, But send round to
Fetridge's Office and see IL DE has been
heard fromE
Uuasked. the old clerk took upon
himself the duty of messenger. and the
party anXiously awaited mis- return
But one question and answer were
iuterchanged meanwhile
"His Nicaragua been quoted to-day.
Stackhouse?' Che little old bachelor
Queried
Yes. offered al Q. 80 takers on
a point already. YOU see"
The sound of footsteps and voices in
the outer Office announced TO the anx-
ious ear OF Stackhouse the coming OF
Mr. Fetridge himself. The broker
stepped forward.
'WelI2"
Il was evident at first sight that the
newcomer was uuduly agitated. he
was a stalwart. handsome fellow. Ger
tainly not beyond 30 years of age.
II cannot imagine where North is
any more than you" he exclaimed
without waiting for question 81
walked up the street with him yester-
day afternoon, after talk in his Of
fee"
Where did you leave him2"
Fetridge flushed and seemed consid-
rrsfrr q
on him.
81 don't know the exact point" ne
said az last AT the corner OF state
and Washington streets. / think IL
was"
StackhOuse, who was very nervous
and more affected than the occasion
seemed TO require stared az Fetridge
blankly as n utterly at a loss 60 ac-
count for his confusion.
His town house Is closed for the
summer" he suggested. his eyes still
on Fetridges face. "He must have
gone 20 some hotel"
Send a messenger TO make the
rouuds," excitedly demanded the lit
tie bachelor
Richard Fctrldge seemed 90 find the
situation unaccountably embarrassing
lie had no advice TO offer Stackhouse
particularly appeared TO disconcert
him. Murmuring something about
having left a man waiting for him
at his Office. and that he presumed
North would be found speedily. he
fastened out and betook himself in the
direction OF his place OF business. The
~ an d.
ever, seemed 10 become less obvious
10 him after he reached the open air.
He stood stock sun with his foot
upon the flight Of stairs leading TO his
Office. and then. under the stress OF a
sudden thought wheeled abruptly and
walked energetically back up the
street.
In five minutes he was in police
headquarters at Pemberton square. in
curing anxiously OF the Official TO
whom the clerk referred HIM whether
any notification Of the disappearance
OF Paul North had been sent to him.
The Official professed ignorance OF the
matter.
When was he last seen, sir?"
Yesterday afternoon about five
O'Clock, going up State street from his
office, Fetridge rejoined. avoiding
further detail And FASTENED TO add:
He has town house at - Marlboro
street, you know. Perhaps il isn't my
place to suggest il. but don't the po-
lice in such cases have authority to en-
ter mans premises if"
Fetridge hesitated The omciaI OBJ
served him narrowly, wondering. no
doubt, why he was so obviously agi-
tated.
Undoubtedly; IL his friends desired
II. and had any reason to believe that
there was anything the matter. the po-
lice would enter the house"
Fetridge thereupon urged the Official
20 obtain permission from Thornton
Stackhouse to make search OF the
premises. He was unable TO give any
direct reason. and unwilling TO put
into words any definite suspicion. but
be showed by his conduct that he had
both. Eventually a messenger was dis
patched in search of StackhOuse. who