The Washington times., 1913-10-27

| drew up before the house, the
number of which he had given
| the chauffeur. 1t was an impos-
ing. but not over ornate American base
ment mansion, just east of Central Park.
| forke looked out at it, half expecting
] TO nnu ii blank and boarded up, like
I most of its neighbors on the block; but,
contrary to his anIicipations, the win
| dows were half raised, the summer cur
| tains waving idly in the breeze, and II
| had generally cheerful, lived-in APP
pearance.
He dismissed the chauffeur, and,
| mounting the three broad steps, rang
the belE This was better fortune than
he had dared hope for, yet it perpleXed
him.
ed to find the house temporarily tenant
less. Should he be granted the inter-
terview he had ostensfbly come to Sc
cure, all his preconceived conclusions
would be set awry and he would be
farther afield than ever.
No response being vouchsafei to his
summons, he rang again and presently
he heard shutting footsteps proceeding
leisurely down the corridor within. After
some further delay the door was opened
and a stout Irishwoman confronted him,
red arms bare and glistening to the ell
bow.
rs Miss Mur1el Kennedy at home?'
asked Yorke, with an ingratiating smile.
NO, sir. The family's away. I'm the
caretaker''
That is too bad" Yorke said. in a
surprised tone. IT understand the Cen
eral and Miss Kennedy were in town.
yes. sir. Miss Muriels been away
some time, but General Kennedy only
left this afternoon, just about two hours
ago."
can you tell me where they have
No sir"
She eyed him for a moment in sud-
den suspicion, but his appearance and
manner evidently reassured her, for she
continued loquaciously:
The servants were all sent to the
generals summer place at New London,
but 1 don't think the family's gone there,
because the house hasn't been opened
this summer, an no linen nor provisions
was sent up there. only just for the
servants
The general must have left quite
suddenly" ventured Yorke
He did that" affirmed the care
taker. They only sent for me at noon
today, and they generally give me two
or three days notice.
When do you expect the family to re-
turn?"
Il don't know. sir. The general said
he d let me know. It's queer altogether,
sir. The servants don't know what to
think, either. They were hustled out so
quick they didn't have time to clean up
proper, an close the front of the house.
That's what j was doin' when you
rang-that an scrubbin' me kitchen. |
wouldn't cook me own dinner in il, let
alone me mans, the way that high
priced cook left il : Will you be leavin
any message, sir. for Miss Murel, when
she comes hOme?'
No. I'll call again. Sorry to have
found them out of town..
He pressed coin into her hand, TO
her astonishment, and started off rapid
Iy in the direction of Fifth avenue.
He was well satisfied with the result
of his call, despite its unproductiveness.
1t was necessary now only to make sure
Of a few widely varied minor Supposi-
tiOnS, and the end of one of the tangled
threads would be in Yorkes hands.
He hailed passing taXicab and drove
down 10 the Waldorf Astoria He de-
scended from his vehicle with every in
dicatiOn of haste. but once inside the
hotel he seemed IN no disposition to i'm
mediately pursue his errand.
He loitered in the spacious corridors
for time, bought paper and fingered
for moment or two at the newsstand,
and was finally sauntering on again,
when page passed him, emitting a
name in a nasal. continuously recurring
monotone
Yorke glnced about for a moment,
and then turned swiftly and followed
the boy toward the cafe. Luck had IA
Vored him, for the name the page was
Mr.. Gerhardt Refs -
From the door of the cafe Yorke saw
MIN proceeding on his round, until he
was intercepted by a short. very stout
man, who was sitting a a table in the
Jorner with two companions, as fam
Doyant and showily attired as himself. !
With a mUttered word to his friends
the stout man shifted his black cigar
rom one corner of his mouth to the
9th, r. read the note the page had Civ, n
.,i naSSe6 il the table and
hurried conversation ensucd. after
which he arose ana hastened from the
cafe.
Yorke followed him. at a discreet dis
tanCe. to the telephone exchange, and
saw him enter d booth Whatever the
import OF the communication which en-
sued, il must have been highly satisfac-
tory. for the fat man emerged chuck
llaccid beaming Countenance.
York approached him as he started
again for the cafe.
MIR. Res?' ne asked.
that's my name. The fat man
stopped and surveyed him cOOIIy.
MIR. Refs. / am looking for young
Iady-an acquaintance of yOurs-whu
has disappeared. She has lately come
INTO "A small legacy, and her family
have employed me TO locate her and
ing up all her friends, hoping that
among them ] can find some one who |
nnows where she is now
And who are vOu?' The fat man 5 !
little eyes had opened wide with aston |
isnment.
"A detective-a private detective en- |
pol ed b.. The young lady's family, !
IOTke reiterated mildly.
The stout man drew back
II don't know any Young lady" he
began defensively.
oh. yes" interpOsed Yorke, positive
Iy. The Iadys name is Burke-May
Burke
'Ach. yes. ] know her. Of course
The stout man beamed again guiIeless-
ly. She WAS typist IN the office of
nv broker.
MIR. Warde.'' interpolated Yorke.
.i've seen him. but he can't help me
any
Neither can T. remarked Mr. Refs,
ruefully. Il wish l knew where she
Was, already. Such a pretty girl. And