The Washington times., 1913-11-01
Now Read On
? 3 > 3 ?
CHAPTER XIv.-(Continued.)
doorben rang almost on the in
stant, and Williams entered.
"a gentleman to see you, SIT.
What name, Williams

SIdnI, anu w cllCiCu-
"a gentleman to see you, sir.
What name, Williams
He didn't give me any name, sir.
You know my rule, williams; but-er
well, show him in"
The gentleman when he appeared
looked very much as Mrs Ashley had
described him. save that even now III
his somber mourning clothes he looked
. younger than the forty-four or forty
five years she had ascribed to hlm-
He was slight rather than ROBUST
with bright, dark eyes. a short black
mustache and close-cropped, polnteo
beard.
He advanced resolutely into the roomp
having more the manner Of confronting
Yorke than diffidently seeking TO con-
suit him. ,
Mr.. Yorke," he began with dignity,
although his eyes snapped signlIlcaIi Ily'
Il did not send in my name to you pc
cause l was aware that your emlssary
had already apprised you OF my coin-
"You are quite right, Mr. Hildreth,
returned Yorke with undisturbed eqna-
ninity Wont you sit down?
:.Thank YOU. / have known for the
last twenty-four hours that have been
subject to the closest espionage SINCE
I cannot but conclude that this surVeti-
lance is connected in some way Win
the tragic death of my unfortunate
cousin. Mrs. Van Rensselaer,. and since
LnoU Won TO be the detective in
charge of the task of discovering her
slayer. l have come TO you Tor an eH-
planation- ,.,u
t.Why do you not go to the police?'
asked Yorke quietly.
Your question is trivial, Mr.. Yorke
The man put upon my trail Is cieNei,
but inexperienced. l had no difflculty
in turning the tables on him ana foilo"-
ing him here tonight.
II apologize in that case, forKe dh-
swered with q half smile.
An apology is scarcely IN oroef'
Paul Hindreth exclaimed hotly-
MY acknowledgment was that OF er-
ror. not offense." explained forke,
blandly. my apology was for the fault
of not estimating sufficiently highly the
cleverness of the gentleman 10 whose
care 1 assigned a mere subordinate
paul Hildreth started to mis- feet in in
dignatiop. but Yorke leaned forward
suddenly. seriously, and said with grave
intentness:
ouestion fully and truthfully for me,
viii promise you that all annoyance
shall cease for you from this instant
One question:" repeated Paul Hill
dreth in establishment. Why did you
would willingly have told you anything
! could put you in possession or any
Knowledge at my command to assist
YOU in your search for the dastardly
murderer of my poor cousin.
Il am glad to have your assurance OF
that Mr. Hildreth" replied Yorke, et-
ting back as if convinced, but Watcn-
ing the other man narrowly through mis-
half-closed lids.
"WilI you tell me where you were on
Monday and Tuesday of this week
Paul Hldreth gave an uncontrolabie
start and walked uneasily TO the WIN
dow where he stood for a full minute,
gazing out into the blackness OF The
night.
frankly UP to Yorke, the resentment
gone from mis- face. and In Its PLACE no
trace OF fear, but instead look OF
dogged determination.
I'm sorry, Mr.. Yorke," he spoke, with
quiet decision.
Il understand now in part your atti-
tude in this matter, but / cannot help
YOU. Ny unsupported assurance that
you are on completely wrong track
would not carry any weight with you,
I am convinced. | cannot explain my
absence from the city-from my club
and my brokers office and all my
usual haunts-on Monday or tuesday
nor can ! give you any information as
10 my whereabouts during that time.
VIII you accept my word cf honor
that my reticence Is not compelled by
asything connected with my cousin or
her death, but by an entirely extra
Heous matter: that ] was not within
hundreds of miles of my poor cousin
when she met her death. and that the
whole terrible affair is as inexplicable
to me as it is to all her family? That
is all ] can say. | will gladly. eagerly
give you any information in my power;
but that concerning which you have
asked I must remaian silent"
Il am sorry" replied Yorke simply.
You must see, Mr.. Hildreth, the posi-
tion in which you place yourself By
this attitude. would gladly accept
your word and drop this question en-
:irely, but there are others who will
ask II of you, and that in the near fu-
ture, whom yiu will not find 1t easy
to deny" 1
Paul Hildreth remained silent, but he
nervously fingered the gray suede
gloves he carried. and his hands were
hone too steady.
when the police realize that they are