The Washington times., 1907-05-19
CHAPTER ".
Six Minus Ono.

(Copyrisht, 1905. by the Frank A MunSey CO..
. HE clock had struck two when
Carr reached home and, tired.
sleepy. cold. puzzled. and. IL
the truth be told. somewhat
disgusted, rolled into bed. AS con-
sequence he oversight and found him
self race 10 face with ten hours work
which would have to be done in eight.
II meant hustling, and Carr hustled.
and eight o'clock in the evening was
well behind when he hurried into the
Wanderers CLUB.
Without delay he made for the blue
room. Sellers was present and Dun
frey and Fayles and Penrose. or We'll
don or Maltby he saw nothing what
ever His eyes rested for some sec
o. ds on the chair the former had oe-
.cupied for several evenings. To Carr
its emptiness was unpleasantly sug-
gestive. But he shook OF the mo
mentary uneasiness and went on a
hunt for Maltby. That gentleman had
not been seen and patient search dis
closed that he was nowhere within the
club.
Carr returned to the lower floor,
whIstling softly. Here and there he
ASKED a mutual acquaintance whether
Weldon had been on hand that even
ing. He had not. He found one or two
who were more or less intimately as
sociated with the missing man In the
H..ul
b-on in evidence there that day. That
was not particularly significant. for
his informants had had no reason 10
Ni-it Weldons establishment. Still.
e arr concluded il vas just a little odd
;.tt nothing had been heard from him.
Making again for the blue room he
s;ied Maltby coming out. arrayed in
top coat and opera hat. Very prompt
k he buttonholed the original mar
rstor OF the House Of Suspicion story.
Il say. Maltby,"
"Oh. hello. Carr" The visitor paus-
ed with in-concealed reluctance.
Have you seen Weldon around
here7"
NO. I've been looking for him"
1 understand that he has not been
on hand all evening"
That 500" Maltby gently detached
himself. Too bad. He--he's some
where else then"
Yes. but where?"
How on earth should know"
only that" Carr began, with
some animation. Then he stopped.
Maltby could have no possible con-
nection with Weldon's absence; more
over. Carr had promised the absent
one to say nothing. and TO come after
him that evening. His part. rather
plainly. was to hold his peace.
-Why-l-I thought you might have
seen him during the day. Maltby.
That was ALL" he said vaguely.
Nope By-by. I'm in n rush to-
night"
Ills tall figure vanished through the
doorway. and Carr caught a last
glimpse Of the opera-hat as he de-
scended the steps. Slowly he walked
through the rooms, settling finally in a
deserted little alcove. There, over a
cigar. he tried 10 reason out the situ-
alton.
Weldon. plainly. was not going TO be
visible that evening. Where was he?
Home. OF course, Carr rose impa-
tiently and hurried to tho telephone
booth. That would settle matters in a
jiHy
But within FIVE minutes he was alone
again in the alcove There had been
no difficulty about getting Weldon's
rooms AZ the little hotel where he
maintained his bachelor quarters. The
difficulty came In finding anyone who
knew Of the missing man. Two or
three employees. he judged. were nter-
viewed while he had the wire and the
last capped the situation conclusively
Not only had Mr.. Weldon not put in
an appearance that day. but at the
evening round OF the chamhermaid his
mail lay unopened on his desk, Just as
II had in the early morning. He had
not returned last night; there was no
sign OF him now!
Rather astounded. Carr tried 70 d.
gest IL all. Up to the time OF phoning
the hotel he had felt reasonably Ger
tain. despite conflicting indications,
that Weldon had managed ms visit TO
the House OF Suspicion, found himself
in rather q foolish position, and de-
cided TO keep out of sight for a little,
rather than stand the gibes OF his
friends. To reach that conclusion Carr
had been forced 20 close his eyes 20
the mysterious mode Of entrancel now
ne saw the utter folly OF that course.
Indeed. il was III painfully plain.
Weldon adventure had followed ex-
Rctly the course Of MaItby's story, He
had succeeded in entering only when
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