Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-05-14

few questions. though he had hitherto
avoided meeting him. In fact. Dunton
had not visited the Marblehead resi-
dence. but had depended upon a yelled
questioning of Switzerland for such in
formation as he desired. At this stage
Of the case, however. a personal inves-
tigation seemed necessary. and he ac-
cordingly paid a visit to the broker in
his summer home.
Up to this point Dunton had not dis
closed his theory of the robbery. and
now, when he told Switzerland of his
suspicious, he was amazed to learn
that Varney had been dismissed from
Southerland's employ suddenly about
ten days before and that nothing was
known of him since that time. Why
had he been discharged? A personal
difference; he had been disrespectful.
you'll waste your time if you work
on the Varney theory" said the broker.
II advise you to leave him out of it."
Dunton returned to Boston and en-
deavored to locate Varney at the young
mans office, where two or three assist
ants were carrying on the business,
but he learned that Varney was seldom
there, and his house address could not
be obtained. In view of this situation
the detective decided to take up the
clews in New York, including Varney's
record there.
Accordingly Dunton telegraphed his
professional brother in the metropolis
that he would be in that city at 3
o'clock on the following afternoon, and
he received a reply directing him to go
to a certain address, engage a room
and expect a call at 5 o'clock. The
address was not far from the Grand
Central station, where Dunton's train
set him down a little after 3, and q
few minutes later he had engaged
what is called a back parlor in a very
ordinary boarding house.
There was time for a bit Of work be-
fore the hour of the appointment. and
Dunton did not linger in his new quar-
tiers. AS he approached the street door
on his way out a key was thrust into
the lock from the other side. The form
Of a woman was dimly visible through
the ground glass panel, and Dunton,
who was in no hurry to encounter any
of the other dodgers. halted sharply.
but before he could begin a retreat the
door swung open and the woman ell
tered. Dunton noticed in the first
glance that she was young and strik-
ingly attractive. that she was smartly
dressed and had been heavily yelled.
but at the moment of entering the
house she had pushed up the veil to
the brim of her hat.
She stopped stock still and looked at
him as if dazed. He saw that she took
in her breath with a tluttering gasp.
$50" said she, you've caught me-"
and with that she fell at his feet in a
profound swoon.
For some minutes the natural human
impulse to give aid was stronger in
Dunton than all other feelings. Amaze
ment was forced to the background of
his consciousness. while sympathy rush
ed to the front, nor had he any time for
such reflections as would have been APP
propriate to his calling. Whom had he
caught? What had this beautiful girl
been guilty of that she should faint at
the sight of a detective? How did she
know who Dunton was? He would
have staked his life that he had never
seer her. Did she mistake him for
somebody else? No; there was perfect
recognition in her glance.
Assisted or at least accompanied by
the %landlady. who had heard the sound
of the fall, Dunton carried the uncon-
scious girl into the room which he had
just engaged and laid her upon the
couch. Then he summoned a physician
from an adjoining house. Meanwhile
he had learned only that the girl had
taken a room in the house that morn
ing and given the name Of Mary Stone.
A little later, however, when the
doctor had taken charge of the case
upon the medical side, Dunton was
able to give his undivided attention tc
that aspect of it which appertained to
his own profession. Miss Stone had
carried a small black shopping bag
and it lad allen upon the floor of the
hall. Dunton thought himself priv.
ileged to examine it's contents, and the
first thing he found was q roll of bills
amounting to almost a thousand dol
lars. Delving deeper, he came upon 6
small green memorandum book. which
bore upon it's first page the name Of
Mildred Switzerland.
Dunton was aware that Mr.. South
erland had a daughter named Mildred
but he had not seen her on his single
visit to Marblehead. 1t was clear
however. that she must have seen hin
and known his errand. Meeting hin
thus after her fight from home, how
could she doubt that be had pursued
and passed her and, having Learned
her destination. had awaited her there
"This is a very bad business" sait