The Washington times., 1911-02-28


attention to the catastrophe to
three quiet inches of obit-
uarv. M. Norman DestOr. never having
recovered from the shock Of his father
death, had ended his own life while suf-
fcring from acute melanCholia-that was
the substance of it. And that would re-
main the substance of it until some
bright, inquisitive soul turned up uneX-
pcctcdlv and learncd-Barker rose!
He'd send for Wilkes. and Wilkes
would simply have to look conditions in
the face!
And at that moment Deston himself
walked quietly into the library.
He seemed to he entirely collected
once more lie smiled family at Barker
and stepped to a chair by the fire. lie
sat down and watched the blaze for a
Few moments The absent look began
TO come into his eyes, and his big hand
reached slowly for book on the little
stand beside him-and Barker broke in
gently with:
"WilkeST'
"Ah?" DcstoH faced him with mild
inquiry.
"IIow-how are you feeling nOw?'
LII. mere IplllIIIS NlDllS W I'm
me, Mr.. Barker"
Up to a little chat"
"Certainly."
The lawyer pursed his lips and paused
a moment, and before he had quite fixed
uron starting point. Deston said.
softly:
You are STAYING here tonight?'
''NVhat?" Barker's eyes opened. Yes.
Don't you want me around?"
My dear Mr.. Barkcr!'
Because. if you'd rather be alone.
Wilkes"
1T is the one thing l dread"
The lawyer nodded.
Il had not made any definite plans,
but-there is nothing very pressing to
take me back to the city. nothing that
my partner cannot handle. fancied
that Id stay here with you for few
days"
A little sigh of relief came from Des-
ton.
I'm glad of that
We'll. I'm glad to hear you say it,"
said Barker. Il was a little afraid that
you wanted solitude, and-I certainly
didn't wish to leave you here alone, as
things are at the moment" he ended
significantly.
Wilkes Deston glanced at him, rather
oddly Barker thought. And within the
second he was watching the fire once
more.
There is no sign of Gerald" the
lawyer announced flatly.
Deston merely nodded.
"IIave yOu-thought Of that, Wilkes"
DO you suppose that I have been
thinking of anything else, Mr.. Barker?''
asked the quiet voice.
"Eh? No" The lawyer looked at the
back of the massive head. wilkes.
what with the trips that Fabre and
Willis made in different directions yes
tarday and some few little inquiries l
have made myself, this section Of New
York State has been pretty thoroughly
combed over, looking for that young
man"
"And-?"
There's not a trace of him. my boy"
Barker said gently. Not one solitary
trace!"
Deston nodded
We know that he didn't leave the
house by the front way, for he'd have
found Norman. And Fabre tells me
that his machinist was up at daylight
Tuesday washing the cars, out in front
of the garage"
''Wen?"
''lIe was in plain view of the rear
of the house, Wilkes. 1t seems to me
that if Gerald had left that way the
man would have seen him. Gerald
would have had no mortal reason for
sncaking about, you know. Some word
W would have passed between them-some-
thing of the sort, at that hour
Deston made no comment.
And he took neither a horse nor
car when he left" Barker went on.
He departed on foot-and we haven't
had trace of him since, and it's nearly
three days. He couldn't have gone very
far walking. He hasn't heen injured in
any way, Wilkes, because, in the most
innocent way possible, I've chatted with
every doctor that might have been CALI
ed. There hasn't been an accident case
in the county for a week. 1t leaves us
face 10 face with the fact
What fact?' DestOn asked suddenly.
Gerald walked down to the depot and
took a train, Wilkes!" Barker said
bluntly.
With force and a swtftncss for him