The Washington times., 1908-02-02
1Oment or Two. Grafton Looked Quietly at Him.

quarters. His heart was lighter low,
for al least he was clearing himself
Of the faintest shadow Of anything
peculiar He opened CoIson's door
without hesitation and walked IN,
smiling. 10 face the unpleasant job
Bennett. Colson's secretary came
forward from the inner Offices. and
greeted him respectfully and with
some inquiry in his eyes.
"Weli-Mr. Colson about"
no, SIR
Eth? He's mote"
He isn't here now, and lie has not
been today. To tell the truth. Mr..
Grafton, I had almost hoped that you
knew something about him"
That knew something about him 90
repeated the other. sharply. Wen,
there's no particular mystery about
u. Is there. Bennett
i am a little afraid there IS"
But CoisOn hasn't Disappeared 90
4 don't know what you'd call IT,"
said the secretary, smiling family.
Al the moment. IL seems most pecu-
liar. Mr.. Colson left at the usual time
last evening. and apparently IN the
same spirits as ever. He did not appear
this morning. and a little after ten 1
sent word out to his house-be boards
out Of town. you know"
Yes. 7 know Weu2'r
He had not returned last evening
and the people there supposed that he
had been detained down here. and that
he had remained overnight at one Of
the hotels. That Is ali thct I can ten
you, Mr.. Grafton"
But you've msde some EFFORT 70 get
track Of him, certainly
I've been to al the hotels anI cafes
IN town and I have called Up all his
friends who have telephones and wired
those who have not. have learned alb
solutely nothing. except that he vas in
the cafe OF the Grande Hotel until
nearly one this morning. with a party
OF gentlemen. Where he went after
that, no one knows"
Grafton shook his head
wei. It's csrtainty-remarkable 4"
he said. Very we'll Bennett II he's
not here, can hardly see him. Should
he return r. the course Of the after
noon. ask him 10 call up my office.
And II he doesn't come back. and
nothing is heard from hirl-weu, call
me up anyway before you 60 home.
will your"
Certainly. sir"
Grafton descended to the street and
walked back to his own domain.
wrapped in amazed thought. Here was
en- entirely new ard inexplicable mys-
tery-Colson's first absence from his
office on a business day IN two years
What would be the result, as con
cerned Grafton? At the instant, he
gould hardly forecast in detail just
what would eventuate. The notes we're
gone-now the man who was to have
paid them of was cora as we'll.
Supposing that he did not return be-
fore noon on the day after tomorrow
what then? II seemed that an un-
kind fate was bent upon wiping that
KenyonviIle Traction loan from the
face of the earth, with all evidences OF.
its existence
Back at his own building again. he
was no nearer an answer to the new
riddle; to the best OF MS reasoning he
could see nothing in the future save
complications with probable disaster
for himself.
He found the detective sitting in his
private ONCE. and he smiled rather va
cantIy.
IT waited, sir" said Burl,4gh
Grafton walked to his chan. and his
blank smile stiH rested upon the de-
tective
Wen. I'm glad y-Ju waited. Bur
leigh" he said slowl This business
seems to me to be passing beyond an
bounds OF human intelligence but I'm
glad you waited, at least
Good land. sir! There are no new
are there2"
.