The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-12-06

"Why Can't You Let Fellow Alone
When He Wants to Think by Him.
self.
lounging-room. The stranger was IN
der medium height, slender and un-
assuming in appearance, but carried
himself with a certain quiet assurance
that commanded attention. He was
as gray as a badger, and his lean,
smooth-shaven face resembled fooled
leather.
There was a conspicuously alert
look about his steady gray eyes, Van
Vechten also noted, which presently
disclosed a habit of narrowing and re-
veallng a web of fine wrinkles at their
corners. This single change of facial
muscles, Van Vechten soon learned to
recognize, possessed the popularity Of
indicating one of two moods-concen-
tration upon the matter in hand, or
else a smiling humor that made one
warm to him. Van Vechten felt that
his visitor would be chary of speech.
but that whatever he might say would
be we'll worth hardening to.
"Mr. Rudolph Van Vechten?" now
queried the newcomer in tone that
could not have carried a yard beyond
the person to whom it was addressed
Van Vechten nodded and motioned to
chair.
| My name" he acknowledged. And.
with a wry mouth: you are detec-
| tive l might have expected it-but
l didn't
Instantly the steady eyes contracted
and wrinkled at the corners. The
young man all at once discovered that
his irritation was evaporating, and
! that he could smile in sympathy with
his visitor.
Said the quiet voice: 81 am glad to
know that my estimate of your intelli-
gence was not at fault. Flint is my
name-Phineas Flint-from Central
Office"
considering that you have never
seen me before, Mr.. Flint" Van Vech-
ten lightly retorted, "it is rather ex-
traordinary that you should possess
any particulars upon which to base
an estimate of my intelligence"
The steady, smiling regard still met
| the young mans
"Fll demonstrate just how simple a
matter it is-if you have pardoned this
intrusion?"
The listener nodded. His attention
was already won.
Have you any idea how the poor
chap met his death?" he queried.
"Yes," was the prompt reply. He
was struck over the head with some
kind of blunt instrument. 1t is pretty
certain that only one of the blows
the one on the temple-could have
proved fatal; the other-right behind
the left ear-might have stunned him
or produced Inconsistencies. But as
to who did it-there's the question.
There are some extraordinary features
about this murder, Mr.. Van Vechten."
Rudolph Van Vechten rose and
walked over to front window.
Come here" he invited Mr.. Flint.
And then, after the latter had quietly
joined him, he nodded toward Number
1913
See that house across the way?
Well, less than two minutes before my
friend and l came up with the poor
-
from there. l am pretty certain, too,
that his departure was accompanied
by some sort Of fracas-before the
door was opened. you know"
The network of wrinkles marked a
narrowing Of the gray eyes, while Mr.
Flint subjected the unprepossessing
facade to a long, searching scrutiny.
Then" he said at last, you were
following him. Why? Surely, not out
OF idle curiosity"
The young man shrugged his shoul
ders. sit down." he CURLY babe, re
Stunning the seat he had occupied ear
lier in the day, while Mr. Flint sank
into the one lately occupied by Ton
Phinney. If you can make anything
, of what I have to tell you, you are
welcome to it"
He began with as much of Number
1873 history as he knew, and, with
but two reservations, recounted every
. thing down to the moment that he and
, Tom rushed from the club to overtake
the man killed at the alley intersec-
ton.
The detective listened with marked
but respectful attention not once in
terrupting the recital. And when Van
Vechten had finished, Mr.. Flint asked
a single question. His preoccupied
look remained upon Number 1913.
Has it occurred to you" he said