The Washington times., 1912-10-03
CHAPTER XIII (continusd).

- HE time might we'll come now
when he would be forced to
i make strong appeal to Col
sons good nature, IL nothing
more; why not take the bull BY the
horns n, and lay ., the case before MIN no"
That was the best that he could do;
at least. to the fair-minded. he could
no more than report the catastrophe as
soon as possible after Its occurrences;
ana such a move, too. would dispel any
suspicion that might have been caused
had he postponed the revelation to the
As he viewed matters then, II was
the one course, and having decided
He picked up his hat and strode out
Of the office, leaving word with Jenni-
son to hold Burleigh should he come
during his absence. -
A ride Of some five minutes brought
him to the smaller building where Col
son maintained his business head
quarters. His heart was lighter now:
for al least he was clearing himself OF
the. faintest shadow OF anything pc
i out hesitation and walked In, smiling,
| to face the unpleasant Job.
Bennett Colson's secretary, came
forward from the inner office, and
greeted him respectfully and with some
| Inquiry in his eyes.
"weli--Mr. Coison aboutT'
mo. SIR"
"Eh? He's not?"
been today. To tell the truth, Mr.
Grafton. i had almost hoped that you
knew something about him"
1 THAT l knew something about him?
repeated the i, 9.ihsr s,s1y ,Satplyy .sost WeIt Y
is there. BennettT'
I'm a little afraid there ls."
But Colson hasn't disappearedT =,
| II don't know what youd can y;
4 MIR. Colson left at the usual time last
| evening and apparently In the same
| spirits as ever. He did not appear thi,
morning. and a little after ten ten ! SEN ,,
Of town. you know
Yes, I know. Well?"
| "He. had not returned last evening
the people there eu supposed ana maj ths a
he had remained over night at one Q
the hotels. That Is all that can tel
you. Mr.. Grafton
But you've made some enort TO &c
I've been to all the hotels and cafe
in town. and I have called up all hi
friends who have telephones and wire'
those who have not ! have have M tearne' ne
in the cafe of the Grande Hotel unit
nearly one this morning. with q part
OF gentlemen Where he went afte
that no one knows
Grafton shook his head.
well, It's certainly-remarkable n
said. "very we'll. Bennett, II he's no
here. I can hardly see him. Should h
return in the course of the afternoo
ask him to call up my office. And II b
doesn't. come. back; and nothing
heard from him-weil. call me up any
WY before you go home, Will you"
| Certainly, sir"
back smassS S tSUusS hos Swn Hefs
an entirely new and inexplicable mys
tery-Colson's first absence from hi
office on a business day In two years.
supposing that he did not return be
what then? 1t seemed that an unkin
fate was bent upoin wiping that Ker
vonville Traction loan from the face q
the earth. with all evidences Of II
existence.
Back an his own building again }
; was no nearer an answer to the ne
riddle; to the best OF his reasoning h
, could see nothing In the future say
complications. with probable disaste
He found the detective sitting in HI
private office. and he smiled rather VI
cantly.
r II waited. SIR" said Burleigh.
, Grafton walked to his chair and h
blank smile still rested upon the d.
: well, I'm glad you waited. BurleiEh
!. he said slowly. This business seen
D to me to be passing beyond all bount
o. human intelligence but I'm glad ye
. "atssS; aeSoa Ai iand. rsI' sir There are no n.
e .S,niy one," said Grafton. wanl
8 "Colson has dropped right out Of exis
ence now"