The Lakeland evening telegram., 1913-12-27

Powhatan, learning with incredulous
surprise that Van Vechten had not
been there since last Tuesday. He
promptly called up the Kenmore and
got Barnicle on the wire. His mysti.
fication deepened at the bald informa-
ton that "Mr Rudolph was out Of the
CITY,"
"Out of the city!" Tom bawled into
the mouthpiece. what the devil do
you mean? Where out of the city?"
But Barnicle had hung up.
"Oh, WE'LL" he reflected by and by,
"he's learned something about Miss
Carew and is off to see about it. I'll
just knock around town a while, then
catch Central train and 60 back. It's
perhaps just as we'll that he don't see
me-"
Then with a vivid memory of the de.
lectable burden he had borne the
night before, of the smile Of the unaf-
fected request that he carry her, Of his
name whispered by her pretty lips
he grinned broadly and happily.
The grin, however, was cut short by
q sudden realization that Mr.. Phineas
Flint was standing of at a little dis
tance, scrutinizing him curiously.
Flint advanced to where he was Sit
ting in the lounge and helped himself
to an adjacent chair. Tom was not
precisely overjoyed at the encounter.
"How do," he said shortly-the
broadcast Interpretation Of the saluta-
ton could not construe it as an inquiry
touching upon the state Of Mr.. F1ints
health and happiness.
That gentleman did not Immediately
respond, but presently his eyes
wrinkled in smile.
II have just learned that Mr.. Ru-
dolph Van Vechten is out Of the city"
he quickly remarked.
1T hasn't been more than a minute
since learned 1t myself" returned
Tom.
Mr.. Flint's eyebrows went up. I'm.
deed? Then you haven't been to-
gether?"
Tom shook his head. II have found
. position"-he indicated his uniform
II have been pretty busy. took q
run downtown to look him up"
The detective seemed to be much
interested in Captain Phinneys uni.
form. The latter was extremely Ill at
ease, for he dreaded the astute officers
powers Of discernment.
II am rather anxious to find him. "
Mr.. Flint ended another pause.
Il haven't the least idea where he
is." said Tom. Learned anything
new?"
The detective produced q small strip
Of paper upon which we're half-dozen
or so typewritten lines: this he sat
holding in one hand.
II have just come from Mr.. Theo-
dore Van Vechten," he said with q
whimsical air. "He sent for me-"
"The dickens he did!" Tom ex-
pressed his astonishment. About your
murder case?-Miss Carew?"
With his customary deliberation. the
other amplified.
"Mr. Theodore Van vechten is q
man who can neither be surprised nor
forced from his reticence. obeyed
the summons rather hopefully, and I
learned just what he wanted me to-
no more, no less. He had the informa-
ton all ready for me. written upon
this slip Of paper"
Tom contented himself with . grunt
that was expressive Of his bewilder-
ment and curiosity; he did not want to
set . precedent by asking too many
questions. Mr.. Flint went on:
TT took him something less than
twenty seconds to tell me what he
wanted anb dismiss me-" He seemed
10 have enjoyed the episode. with.
out . word Of greeting or preface. he
said: II you want to md Max WI
lsld1"
"Just that. II you want to find MAJ
Willard. perhaps this will help you.
He handed me this bit Of typewriting
and I was shown out Of the ofice.
am now on my way to follow up the tn
formation; but should like to havl
seen Mr.. Rudolph first"
He handed Tom the slip Of paper
who read with growing bewilderment:
On August IS, 1911. letters patent
were issued to Max Willard. New York
through Patterson. Reed q Patterson
attorneys. Washington, D. G.. for . new
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