Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-23
CHAPTER XxXv-Continued.

We had just received q message from
the Pingree agency that one of our men
was starting to us with news and che was
announced at that moment.
We have traced the old gentleman,
sir he said to Milbrath as he entered
My heart jumped into my throat and
my quick glance at Milbrath showed me
that he had gone white to the lips.
Tell us about it," he managed to ar
ticulate, as he motioned the man to q
chair.
I'm on the post Office day watch, sir.
and this morning. just as 1 was going on
duty, who should / see at the main en-
trance but the old man. His maneuvers
first attracted my attention. for he SEEM
ed to be peering into the lobby. as If
ready to turn back on the instant. AS
soon as I made sure he was the man ]
wanted l called herdic and stood wait
ing by the curb when he came out, fol
lowed by the night watch. Evidently
the old man didn't suspect he was fol-
lowed till he looked back and saw Mr..
Hays-the other man. sir But he knew
II then. for he darted down the steps like
rabbit and ran for a cab that was
standing near. Hays and / had agreed
upon some signals for use in, a situation
like this, and I signaled to him to hold
back and let the old man think he had
made mistake in believing he was fol-
lowed. while 1 kept behind him. So
when the old gentleman drove on l drove
on; when his horse trotted mine did
likewise, when his went slow mine went
ditto. We wound around the city I'M
necessarily. l should judge. and brought
up i'm Dorchester at 116 - street. /
. saw the old gentleman go I'm by latchkey
/ at that address. That. 1 believe, sir, is
all that you instructed me to dO?'
: Yes" answered Milbrath. THAT was
all. And that is all you did,
1T is. sir. except to return to the
.agency and report, and ] was sent direct
to you-to Mr.. Bliss was the name
Mr.. Bliss is my friend here, but in this
case it is all the same"
VERY we'll. sir" And bidding us good
day he was gone.
| put on my macintosh and picked up
IAN umbrelia-for there was a drizzling
rain outside-but Milbrath made no move
to accompany me. He sat with one elbow
sOn a chair arm and his head in his hand.
Are you not going with me?" 1 asked
: II suppose so. You will not take the
police into your confidence"
. Not at present. Not at all. probably.
@unless you are willing.
We found the house we sought to be
modest and neat three-story and base
ment brick structure. There was an
lapothecary's shop on the corner next
door, ard we went in there and made in
iuuiry about the house. 1t was con-
.ducted by Mrs. Raymond. the clerk told
lus.% and was quiet and exclusive fur
lnished-room place.
imond. an intelligent woman past middle
5life.
Had she any rooms to rent? Yes:
two. en- suite, vacated Unexpectedly that
morning"
On what floor?
The second: fine large rooms with a
private bath between them.
. We asked to see the rooms. and were
- -k>s~
case to a room looking out upon the
street through a swell front" window.
1t was unusually well furnished for a
lodging house. and / think the landlady
saw our interchange of surprised glances
as Milbrath and I looked around us. for
she remarked that q recent long Illness
:of her husband had made it necessary
for her to throw open her house tenn
porarily.
The rear room was furnished as a
sleeping room, and both rooms and the
bath were pictures OF comfort.
You have an acquaintance of ours with
@yoH, I said, abruptly, as we looked
about. MIR. Summerfield?'
Mrs. Raymond repeated the name and
shook her head.
$ mo person of that name has ever
.roomed here" she said.
II beg your pardon" cried in amaze
tment. II was told only this morning that
he was here"
II have never heard the name before"
y
beard and light-blue eyes.
THAT answers the description of Mr..
Emerson. who had these rooms"
And left today? Queer if Summer
theatrical aside and looked at Milbrath.
did he tell you where he was leaving
for. madam?
Mrs. Raymond answered us in the mega
tive and regarded us questioningy.
when he engaged the rooms two weeks
ago he paid me in advance for a month.
but told me that he might be called
away at any moment, and today the
summons evidently came. He left scarce
ly more than an hour ago.
''Ah! ] wonder whether the, poor old
man received bad news from hbme"
why. did he have a homer" asked
Mrs Raymond. in surprise. Il have no
wish to gossip about him, but he scarcely
appeared like a home man. He was very
uneasy and nervous most OF the time and
I fancied that he had some business
worry. When he came he told me that
he was without acquaintance in Boston.
but as i require references he asked me
to call upon the First National Bank
That was the bank, recalled. to which
do you expect I said, presently
''that he will return? We were influenced
to come here. which is a little out Of
our way, because we understood that he
was here. We are visitors in Boston
from his home town." added at q ven-
ture.
He told me not to keep the rooms for
him." Mrs. Raymond answered. hesitat-
tngly.
searched the room eagerly with my
eyes as we talked hoping to find piece
Of paper or some other bit overlooked by
che recent tenant which would help US.
But apparently he had been cautious to
leave absolutely nothing behind. and we
took our leave presently without having
gained very much through our ruse. or. I
regret to say, without having in any
way enriched the accommodating Mrs.
Raymond.
was inexpressibly chagrined and cor
fegpondingiy disappointed that had per-
United Mr.. Summerfleld again to slip
through my fingers. I began to have an
uncomfortable feeling that he was too
clever for me, and 1t put me upon my
keenest mettle.
Il was evident that the old fellow had
OWNED that we were again upon his
scent, hence his hasty departure from his
comfortable quarters with Mrs. Ray
1nond. and, logically. he would leave
town this time, but-for where?
As soon as We were away from Mrs.
Raymond I asked Milbrath to go to the
South station and watch for Summer
field at the entrance to the trains follow
him II he saw him and telegraph me
where to Join him. Then / telephoned To
the Pingree agency and had men detailed
Immediately for q similar purpose at the
Park Square station, where, only the day
before. we had abandoned a watch.
I left instructions to deliver at once
Ak4x tr2.A A<..