United labor bulletin., 1913-11-15
An Exit.
"Alexander."

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. I'VE 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.
II 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
the grill. Van vechten and Tom sought
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
mystined than the narrator.
He was. however. all at once In
spired.
Il have III" he impctuousiy an
nounced. Let's hurry and eai-I'm
not hungry now. anyway. What say
to me walking up and ringing the bell
Mt one o'ciockT'
But Van yechten'B comment was not
encouraging.
Crude" was his word. Il 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 prearranEcd meeting. They may be
the tenants themselves: some sort OF
secret society"
4 -AnarchlHtsi- Tom yelled A thought
had but 20 enter his head TO emerge
at his mouth. The other two diners
looked up. startlSd: but perceiying the
source OF the outburst. they returned
TO their meals with expressions Of pa
tient endurance.
Yes. anarchists" Van vechtcn
agrced: "even so. And you would
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 eort of thing" n sarcasm which
was frankly ignored.
TT has occurred to me-" pursued
Van vechten. picking daintily at his
omelette soufiie. that person who
has been at such pains to keep his
identity hidden from the rest OF the
world. Is stimulated to do 30 by some
powerful motive. II he is n pcrson 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 ard
leaned comfortably back In his chair.
Tommy" no returned weariedly.
II am willing to try anything-once.
And. as you know. whatever l under
take see through to the end. what
ever that end may be. Just now /
am too depressed by this uncertainty
about Paige-not to mention It's dis
agreeable consequences-to become In
terested in anything"
1T is deuced queer you don't hear
from her. isn't 1T" Tom felt called
upon to show a polite concern.
His friend sighed. 'Since my cousin
Is n woman" he said. queer is not
the word. Her disregard for my and
Uncle Theodore's plans is just what
might have been expected: 1t is 30
thoroughly feminine. as you would
know well enough II you had will
full. pretty cousin like Paige. But by
the same token am no moro resigned
to sit twiddling my thumbs In this
bake-oven OF n town until she chooses
to come home-or at least let me know
about when to look for her"
"Just the same" insisted Tom, "ff
she was my cousin I'd be worrying"
Il am. Tommy--for myself. though;
not for her. q. =. But was going
to say that we would better let this
matter drop; tho affair is mono OF
ours"
But Tom Phinney. once his head
was set, was not easily turned aside.
mo telling what devilish conspiracy
is afoot, Ruddy." he urged; "its our
duty as good citizens TO interfere II
we have some reason to think that"