Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-12-07

er warning the two men to say not
word to any one concerning their mis-.
tress' disappearance.
Plainly the first thing to be done
was to md the coachman who had
driven Miss Holiday and her maid
away from the house. and with this
end in view We visited all the stables
In the nelghborhood, but from none Of
them had carriage been ordered by
her. Had she ordered it herself from
n stable in some distant portion of the
city for the purpose Of conccaling her
whereabouts. or had IL been ordered
for her by her maid. and was she real.
~ the victim Of foul play? put this
question to Mr.. Royce. but he seemed
quite unable to reach a conclusion. As
for myself, was certain that she had
gone away Of her own accord and had
deliberately planned her disappearance.
Why? Well. began to suspect that
we had not yet really touched the bot
tom Of the mystery.
We drove back to the Office and fOunt
Mr.. Graham there. related to hin
the circumstances OF our search ant
submitted to him and to our junior on
question for Immediate settlement.
AT the best. it's n delicate case"
pointed out. Miss Holiday has plain
~ laid her plans very carefully to pre-
vent us following her. 1t may he dir
ficult to prove that she has not gonr
away entirely of her own accord. She
certainly has a perfect right to g,
wherever she wishes without consult
ing us. Have we the right to follow
her against her evident desire!'
For a moment Mr. Graham did no
answer, but sat tapping his desk will
that deep line of perplexiiy between
his eyebrows. Then he nodded ON
phatcally.
ITS our duty TO follow her and FIND
her." he said. ITS perfectly evident
to me that no girl in her right mind
would act as she has done She had nc
reason whatever for deceiving usfor
running away. We wouldn't have in.
terfered with her. Jenkinson's right
she's suffering with dementia. We
must see that she receives proper med
ical treatment"
1T might not he dementia." ! sug-
gested, 80 much as undue influence
on the part OF the new maid, perhaps
Then it's our duty to rescue her
from that influence" rejoined Mr.. Ora
ham. land restore her to her normal
mentality"
Even IL we offend herr
I'VE can't stop to think Of that. Be
sides, she won't be offended when she
comes to herself. The question Ia how
to find her most speedily"
The police. probably. could do it
most speedily" said. but since she
can be in no immediate danger of any
kind l rather doubt whether it would
be wise to call in the police. Miss
Holiday would very properly resent
any more publicity
But" objected Mr.. Graham. "if we
don't call in the police, how are we 70
find her? l recognize. Of course. how
undesirable It is that she should be
subjected to any further notoriety. but
Is there any other way?"
glanced at Mr.. Royce and saw that
he was seemingly sunk in apathy.
"1f could he excused from the
office for a few days, sir" began
hcsitatingly, II might be able to find
some trace Of her. If I'm unsuccess-
full. we might then call in the author.
! tiles"
Mr.. Royce frightened up for mo-
ment
That's it," he said Let Lester
look into It,
Every WE'LL assented Mr.. Graham.
II agree TO that. or course any ex.
pense you may incur will be borne by
the office.
THANK you. sir" and I rose with
fast beating heart. for the adventure
appealed to me strongly. III begin
at once then. ! should like assistance
in one thing. Could you let me have
three or four clerks to visit the va.
rious stables of the city: 1t would
be best, think to use our own people.
Certainly" assented our senior in
stantly. III call them in and we can
give them their instructions at once"
So four clerks We're summoned. and
each was given district of the city
Their instructions were to find from
which stable Miss Holiday had or
dered carriage on the morning OF
Thursday. April 3. They We're to re-
port at the office every day, noon and
evening, until the search was finished
They started away at once, and
turned to follow them. when my eye
was caught by the expression Of our
juniors face.
mir. Royce is i'll. sir!" cried. "Look
at him!'
He was leaning forward heavily, his
face drawn and livid, his eyes set, his
hands plucking at the arms Of his
chair. We sprang to him and led him
to n couch. bathed his hands and
face III cold water, while Mr.. Graham
hurriedly summoned physician. III,
doctor soon arrived and diagnosed tht
case at u glance.
Nervous breakdown" he said terse
~. You lawyers drive yourselves too
hard. It's wonder TO me you dom
all drop over. Wen have to look on
or this will end in brain fever"
He poured ont stimulant. which thu
sick man swallowed without protest
He seemed stronger in few moment'
and began talking incoherently to him
self. We got him down TO the doctor:
| ,,to "a a 1v-t ~ Al ~