The Washington herald., 1908-03-21

lecting that teIltale stain upon the wom-
ans bodice.
Il made inquiries in a number OF like
~ quarters, without result"
And what's your theory" Max asked
looking him straight in the face. now
undecided whether he was lying or not.
Theory? Well. my dear fellow,
haven't any. I'd like te hear yours. The
doctor and his daughter have suddenly
disappeared, as though the earth has
swallowed them. and they've not left
the least trace behind. What do you be-
lieve the real truth to be-"
AT present I'm unable 20 form any ac-
tual theory" his friend replied. There
has either been foul play, or else they
are in hiding because Of some act of
political vengeance which they fear That
not a word has come from either tends
to support the theory of foul play Yet
II there has been a secret tragedy. why
should the furniture have been made to
disappear as well as themselves?" Then.
after a pause. he fixed his eyes suspi-
ciously upon Charlie, and added, Il won
der IL the doctor kept any valuables or
securities that thieves might c0vet in
his house,"
Roife shrugged his shoulders Mention
Of that point in no way disturbed him.
Il have never heard Maud speak OF
her father having any valuable pos
sessions there" he said simply
But he may have done so. and theft
may have been committed
"Of course. But the whole affair from
beginning to end is most puzzllng. I
wonder the papers didn't get hold of Il.
They could have eoneocted lots of
theories II IL had become known"
eft ien'f foo Iat -rl,o l.o..z-
agents. who probably know about the re-
moval by this time. may tell the re-
pOrters.'
And now. at this lapse OF time, the
press could not mention it for fear OF
libel. They'll think that the doctor had
done a moonlight fit. instead of paying
his rent"
1T certainly looks like that" remark
ed Max with a laugh But I only wish
We could induce Marion to tell us all she
knows"
Charlie sighed.
Yes" he said. Il only wish she would
say something. But she refuses abso-
lutely. and so we're left entirely in the
dark"
well. all l can say is. that the doc
tor would never willfully leave me in ig-
norance of his whereabouts, especially at
this moment. We have certain business
matters together involving a probable
gain OF a good round sum Therefore.
il was surely To his interest 20 keep me
in touch with him. Max declared
The man before him was silent
Was II possible that he had misjudged
him? Was he lying. or had he really
gone TO Cromwell road in search of the
doctor and found the house untenanted
and empty?
TT is complete mystery" was all
that Rolfe could say.
DO you know, Charlie. n curious
thought struck me the other day. and I
mention Il TO you in all confidence. II
may be absurd-but-well. somehow /
can't get It out of my head
And what is it?' asked his friend,
with an eagerness Just a little unusual
Max paused. Should he speak? Or
should he preserve silence? The mys-
tery now held him bewildered. What had
become OF the dear old doctor and the
pretty girl with the tiny wisp of hair
straying across her white brow? Yes
He would speak the vague impression
that had OF late been uppermost in his
mind
We'll" he said. "old statham has
financial interests in Servia. has he nOt?''
Certainly. Quite number. He hoated
And has 1t not struck you. then. that
he and the doctor might be acquainted?"
They were strangers" he exclaimed.
quickly, darting a strange look across at
Barclay.
Max was somewhat surprised at the
vehement and decisive nature of Charles
declaration
And Maud never met the old fellow?''
''Never-tO my knowledge"
''Statham has a number of friends and
acquaintances whom you do not know.
The doctor may have been one of them"
"Oh, Sam has very few secrets from
NE. | am his confidential secretary" was
the others rather cold response.
Il know-I know. But would Il not be
terms with such a powerful factor in the
Servian political world as Or. Petro-
vitch2"
Well it might But you know how In
dependent he is. He never goes into So
utterly alone in the WOrld-the lOneliest
man in London
Then let us go a trifie further" said
Max. at last. Answer me one question.
Is II or Is 1t not fact that you were at
the house In Cromwell road on the night
of-of their disappearance"
Rolfe's countenance changed in an in
slant. His lips went white.
''Why?" he faltered-.what do YOU
mean 10 imply? Why
Because, Rolfe'' the other said I,
hard. determined voice. because l saw
you there-saw you with my own eyes,''
TO RE CONTTNTrrr. 10