The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-12-04
IrRFi6 Err III.
An Exit.

Alexander"
A page fastening cat-footed, after
the manner of all well-trained pages,
swerved abruptly from his course and
bore down upon the window where the
two friends were seated.
Van Vechten waved in the direction
of Number 1913
ALEXANDER" he said, "we are going
to breakfast, and we want you to hold
these two chairs for us. Keep an eye
upon that house across the way-thir-
teen-thirteen. Observe whether any
body departs, or whether anybody ar
rives, and make careful note of them.
If anything unusual happens, come to
me Immediately in the grill. Under
stand?'
Alexander signified that he under
stood, and that he was willing to wait
and watch-for even the clubs SER
wants shared the general interest in
the House Of Mystery-and Alexander
was already seated in one of the va
Gated chairs, his eyes glued to the
doorway opposite.
There were only two other diners in
a secluded corner, where the latter
listened in blinking bewilderment to
an account Of the mornings happen
ings. But, after all, he was no more
mystified than the narrator.
He was, however, all at once in
spired
Il have it," he impetuously an
h1r m
not hungry now, anyway. What say
to me walking up and ringing the bell
at one o'clock?"
But Van Vechten's comment was not
encouraging.
Crude" was his word. II fear you
will never learn anything beyond
squash, yachts and polo ponies. Those
men are not wandering blindly into
the house; the indications all point to
a prearranged meeting. They may be
the tenants themselves; some sort of
secret society,"
anarchists! Tom yelled. 4 thought
had but to enter his head to emerge
at his mouth. The other two diners
looked up, startled; but perceiving the
source of the outburst, they returned
to their meals with expressions Of pa
tient endurance.
Yes, anarchists" Van Vechten
have a nice, pleasant time getting in
Or, once in, getting out again.
"Oh, well, we might try breaking in
after dark-jimmy, you know, and all
that sort of thing" a sarcasm which
was frankly ignored.
1T has occurred to me-" pursued
Van Vechten, picking daintily at his
omelette souffle, that person who
has been at such pains to keep his
identity hidden from the rest of the
world, is stimulated to do SO by some
powerful motive. If he is a person Of
intelligence it will be no light matter
penetrating his secret; it might be
dangerous for the meddler. And it is
no business of ours"
"Rats!" Tom Phinney exploded in
disgust. You're losing interest al
ready"
The other elevated his brows and
leaned comfortably back in his chair.
Tommy" he returned weariedly,
Il am willing to try anything-once.
And, as you know, whatever I under
take l see through to the end, what
| ever that end may be. Just now
| am too depressed by this uncertainty
about Paige-not to mention its dis
| agreeable consequences-to become in
! terested in anything"
1T is deuced queer you don't hear
from her, isn't it," Tom felt called
upon to show a polite concern.
| His friend sighed "Since my cousin
is woman" he said, "'queer' is not
| the word. Her disregard for my and
| Uncle Theodore's plans is just what
| might have been expected; it is so
| thoroughly feminine, as you would
| know well enough if you had a will
| full, pretty cousin like Paige. But by
! the same token l am no more resigned
| to sit twiddling my thumbs in this
/ bake-oven Of town until she chooses
! 70 come home-Or at least let me know
| about when TO look for her.
! Just the same" insisted Tom, "if
! she was my cousin I'd be worrying"
Il am, Tommy-fDr myself, though;
| not for her. But l was going
! to say that we would better let this
matter drop; the affair is none O.
| ours
But Tom Phinney, once his head
was set, was not easily turned aside.
mo telling what devilish conspiracy
is afcot, Rudy" he urged; Its our
duty as good citizens TO interfere if
We have some reason to think that"
"Slush!" remarked Mr.. Van Nech.
| ten without feeling. Il am not a good
citizen. According TO Paige, belong
| to the least desirable class Of all-tile
spenders, the MASTERS of substance
And l toll not. neither do 1 spin
Tom snorted his disgust at such sen.
| timents.
| What buffers girls are!" declared