Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1912-11-29
CHAPTER li.-(continued.)

stopped IN the nall 10 examine the
telephone book, hoping it might give
his nome address, but it contained
only the Office of his firm. However,
l had no difficulty in finding in the IL
brary the volume l sought-the club
diractory-and turning to his name
saw that he was member of both the
University and the Harvard.
As | was member of the Univer-
sity myself had no difficulty in get
ting Crandall's address over the tele-
phone Loath as was to leave Louise
alone, l felt that prompt action was
demanded, so took my departure at
once.
IF / find Crandall l will bring him
back with me so that you may hear all
he has to say. Whether or not l sue
coed, | will return within an hour My
friend, the post Office inspector, lives
somewhere out in Jersey, but will
see him the first thing in the morn
ing"
The grateful look Louise gave me as
l left imbued me with a new and
wholly delightful sense of RESPONSE
bility. The ten minutes it took me to
reach Crandall's rooms were filled
with that incoherent bliss that comes
to every man who realizes for the first
time what it means to have wom
ans confidence entirely his.
Crandall lived in one of those re-
modelled mansions SO common in that
part of Fifth avenue from which the
families have fed before the advance
of trade. The basement and first floor
were given over to shops and the up
per floors to bachelor apartments.
had no difficulty in finding among the
door-plates the name l sought, but re-
peated ringing brought no response.
Determined not to leave until had
learned his whereabouts | gave the
janitor's bell vigorous push.
Where can | find Mr.. Crandall?"
asked as soon as he appeared.
His manner made it evident that he
considered my question an imperti-
nence but | had met Fifth avenue
janitors before.
81 am lawyer persisted. Il
= must SEE MI. SIduQdlI tOLlSHI va Ill
important matter"
you won't" he replied, almost glee-
fully it seemed to me.
why not?" I demanded sharply
What do you mean?"
MY manner was not without its eff
feet.
He's gone away" the man ex-
planned little more respectfully.
"Gone!" | exclaimed. Here was a
new mystery, or perhaps the explana-
tion of the first one 1t may have been
his departure that had depressed Kath-
,arine so.
where has he gone? When did he
go? How long will he be away?"
,volleyed.
D1asperatingly he delayed his reply
At ;ast it seemed to occur to him That
! was not making these inquiries pure
ly FOR his amusement Somewhat
more politely than at first, he an
swtr4d: "Only an holr or two ago
about three o'clock IL was-he came
rushing down into my room with his
KEYS in his hand. Nike says he, I'm
going away tonight. may he gone
week and I may be gone month. l
don't know how long Here are my
KEYS and don't let nobody into my
rooms while I'm away, on any pretext
whatever And wild that he was into
taxicab and off before | could be
saying my thanks for the bill he left
in my hand.
Crandall suddenly gone, Katharine
dying by her own hand, General Far
IRISH stricken, all within two hours. 1
knew now there must be some con-
nection between these events. More
than ever was anxious to find Gran
dali. vet | felt that the janitor had
told me all he knew. | could see IN
the. young brokers' departure guilty
knowledge of the shadow descending
on the Parrish home. Surely his Hight
was confession.
There was nothing to be gained by
further questioning of the Janltor.
From the manner of CrandalFs depar-
tnre If would be useless to look Tor
him at either of the clubs to which ne
belonged ] might try to trace MN
through the taxicab, which he hau
probably called from the University
Club near by, but that could wait until
later. Just now I felt it my duty TO
hasten back to Louise and tell her OIL
this new development.
AS turned from the door news,
bow with an armful of evening extras
thrust one at me. lmpatientiy
waved him away.
"All about the suicide" ne bawled
as he darted off after another passer-
by. u,u
n..ialrlu I nursued him and fairy