The Washington times., 1913-10-25

to you, but as long as l did
l want you to understand the
matter thoroughly Now you
see the interest 1 have in him, and how
we'll l know the man.
Il tell you Paul IIildreth is incapable
of any thought of such a thing, If you
had all the evidence in the world
against him. You did some marvellous
work for US, Mr.. Yorke, in that matter
of the death of Vernon. of the Eureka
Life Insurance Company. You saved
the integrity of that whole concern, and
preserved its standing and continued
prosperity.
II, personally. as we'll as the other
gentlemen associated with me as Of
ficers of the company, owe you an in
calculable debt of gratitude. 1t is for
that reason, as much as my regard for
Paul, that l should not like to see you
make SO gross an error. Terrible and
incomprehensible as the death of Mrs
Van Rensselaer, is, you would be max
ing the mistake of your life in attempt
ing to associate man like Paul Hill
dreth with such crime. and on such
a f1imsy pretext as this impossible mo-
tive. Believe me, Mr.. Yorke, you are
barking up the wrong tree.
oh! it is only a supposition OF mine.
Of course, Mr.. Ingraham,' returned
ycrke easily. In a crime as purpose
less as this we must look every possible
contingency in the face, and where so
few clues exist We must search for
possible motive. When we find one ii
must be thoroughly dissected and con-
sidered, no matter how improbable or
vague II may seem.
Il can understand that" acquiesced
Mr.. 1nGraham, more equally. But if
you knew Paul as I do, you'd realize
the manifest impossibility of such
theory as yours having any foundation
Well" said Yorke. rising. with the
manner of one all but convinced. i
won't take any more of your time Mr..
Ingraham. Oh! by the way. 20 you
happen to know a young chap in the
diplomatic service-a friend OF Robin
Van Rensselaer, 's-named BlaisdeIl"''
Freddie Blaisdell? Yes, ! know him.
Nice boy. too. He's going to marry
friend of my daughters. Muriel Ken
nedy. Gen. Walpole Kennedys niece"
DO you think ne. has much of ca
reer before him.
Can't ten Hes young yet He has
a splendid chance in the service. and if
he develops there's a big career before
him. | like the boy immensely.'
what are his cIubs?''
Union and Racquet, here in New
York. Why? Haven't got YOUR eye on
him. too. have you. -YOrke?'
oh. in a way replied Yorke. his
though. Mr. Ingraham. won't keep
vOu any longer. I'll look in on You
asain. though. later if NAV
"Certainly. Glad to see you anv time.
I'm really anxious 10 know how the
case works out, but don't 90 arresting
inheritance, Yorke. Mark my words,
You'll have to look farther afield for
your man"
Alexander Ingraham would have been
vastly astonished had he known how
his brief interview with the detective
Tad affected the case Of his friend.
Paul Hiidreth. Yorke left the building
with satisfaction fairly radiating from
him.
The motive complete" he sad to
himself exultingly. "Of course. If he
can prove an alibi, 1t qUashes that
theory unless he had an acOmplice.
That Internally mysterious servant COM
plicates matters. too. However. | think
my friend Hildreth will bear watching"
He turned into Broadway and walked
rapidly uptown for a block or two. paus-
ing at another office building. Entering
a door on the ninth floor, which bore
the words 'Hamerton's Detective
agency" he approached thin. Cadav-
erous. alert-eyed man of middle age.
who sat hunched over desk in the
ruled-off space before the window. and
asked to see the colonel
The thin man glanced warilv at him.
and then rose with a'acrity. pressing an
electric bell at his side.
AT once, Mr.. Yorke." he said defer
eNtiaIy- j III quite sure ne nlSTH-
gagged Jenkins to the shOck-headcd
hoy who came on the run, g Tell the
chief Nr. Yorke is here TO see him"
How is business going with you?"
asked Yorke.
Fairly well just now. Three cunvic-
tons on our evidence last week. and
several cases on hand now which look
pretty big. See you're on this Van
Rensselaer, affair. You're lucky. I'm
be the greatest case of the year"
Or the greatest fiasco,' said YOrke,
Sloomily.
Up a tree" the man grinned. Il
guess you're not worrying very much
It's a pretty plain busines. far as
can see. il you can only beat the police
20 it,"
Beat them to what Yorke interro-
gated ingeniously.
why. finding the girl and that guide,
Of course
''Humph." vouchsafed Yorke.
The office boy returned and ushered
him into the presence OF the chief"
stout man. with irOn-gray hair and
mustache and the air of a prosperous,
middle-clas business man.
He swung around in his chair I'd held
out his hand.
How are you Yorker" he said heart
ey. What is it this time? Want some