The Washington times., 1911-02-28

Gerald has gone, somewhere or other.
We don't know why. We know that he
left before Norman's death. And we
know that, at any moment, he may
walk in here. That is all we do know.
And, for a little while at least, let US
wait fos him to appear and explain mat
ters which just now are utterly in
coInprehensibler
There was powerful emotion in the
eyes that rested upon Barker. emotion
beyond his analysis. Mentally. he
reached for it and tried to grasp it;
and presently he realized that Deston,
in actual fact, had stared him down,
for he was saying:
''Geralds absence isn't the only queer
thing, you know.
'I-Ive thought of that" Deston
exclaimed, in a somewhat vague, sur
prscd way. But l have been SO con-
sumed with the thought Of"
Il understand" Barker nodded. But
! presume that you noticed that Amato
did not return for the funeral today"
he added, dryly.
YES"
And there has not been ont solitary
word from him since he left here Tues
day night, Wilkes-not telegram. not
a note, not even flower"
There was some slight doubt about
his being able to return. was there
nOt?"
Barker faced him kccnly.
"AmatO mumbcd sontGth.nE &C tn"
kind, just as he was leaving. | attached
no significance to it whatever; but
I'm beginning to wonder nov. The
mans nervous. anyway, and he had
reached such an advanced state of asi-
tation then that-I don't know, I didn't
pay any attention to it at the time"
The lawyers forehead showed more
than one deep wrinkle. between the
eyes. 1T certainly is more than merely
odd that friend of thirty years stand
ing. a man with no relatives, no busi-
ness affairs, nothing at all to call him
away suddenly, should not have been
able to attend the funeral of a boy
he's known since birth-and his pros
peCtivc sOn-in-Iaw, and
Barker stopped. Wilkes was nodding
assent
And Nina" he cried.
Yes. And Nina" Barker echoed.
"Wherc is Nina?'
Dcston had left his chair and was
standing, staring into the fire still, with
hands Clenched behind his back.
1t is all beyond me, Mr.. Barker!
Possibly you have received some per-
sonal communication from Nina,
Wilkes" the lawyer suggested
Not one word
"But-why, it's incredibIe!" The law
yer's hands went up almost wildly.
AT such a time as this-Gerald disap-
pears. Nina disappears! Amato drops
out Of existence, and-bosh"'
He broke off and, stepping across the
room, touched the button, and Deston
regarded him inQuiringly.
The explanation is right around the
house here somewhere" the lawyer
said, quietly. 1t has slipped by me in
the excitement-that's all. Wilkes.
When"
Pcll, shifting, entered. He straighten-
ed up to attention at Barkers sharp:
WHO attends to, the mail here, Pell?''
Il do, sir" the butler said. in some
astonishmcnt 1T is always delivered
TO me personally"
And you've been-sorting it out and
giving it to the people in the house
for whom II was INTENDED!
Not these last days. sir. You've
opened every letter that came into the
house, Mr.. Barker!'
Il know But are you quite sure you
well, that you haven't lost any letters
about the house, Pell."
why, I've opened the mail bag. in
your very presence. right here in this
room, Mr. Barker, just as it came from
the postoffice!' the butler said respect
fully.
Yes. That's SOL" The lawyer medi-
tated. gnawing at his small moustachC.
"um! Who answers the telephone here,
Pello"
Mrs Fiske or myself, sir"
And are you sure that there has
been no message from Mr.. Amato or
Miss Amato, or from anyone calling up
to give a message from them?"
It's very surprising. sir, and We've
commented on it, the butler said. sig
niIiCanuy. There hasn't been one
word
well. let your commenting stop"
Barker said sharply, after a little pause;
That is all, Pell Or-wait! Tell
Fahrc to come here In ten minutes!
Understand? Ten minutes:
Yes, sill"
The door closed and Barker walked
briskly to the table and seated himself
and brought out his fountain pen with
0eCldedlN DuSlneSS-lhe ar DeSlOh
came closer.
Nina was going to visit someone
the Rodman family, wasn't it?' Barker
asked.
THE John Rodmans.''
whats their address,"
1T is in the book at your elbow" Des-
ton replied. What are you going to
do?"
''Send a telegram and sign your name
to it,"
''Um-um.'' Barker was rustling
through the pages Of the address
emily, for he scTibbled something on a
scrap of paper.
He hurried across to the desk, and,
with the familiarity of long acquairtt
ance, located telegram forms and an
envelope or two: and he returned to
his seat and had poised his pen when
Deston asked:
why not telephone?"
Barker looked no sharply.
II thought of that first, naturally. I
don't want to do it, Wilkes. I don't
want 10 get into a position where I'm
forced. very likely, to tell Mrs. Rodman
Just at this moment, it is absolutely
impossible to say too little about our
affairs! Wait a moment"
He stared at the yellow forms for a
little He wrote rapidly-and tore up
the sheet. He wrote again. And this
time the result seemed to be more sat-
isfactory, for he sat back and said:
Listen: May ! caN upon you tomor-
row at Mrs. Rodman's? Wilkes Deston.'
That's all 1 have said"
,,yIri..t 49, {. ,,,ao,p II doaeo,+ ,,..o-