United labor bulletin., 1913-11-22

it as settled thing-an assured fact
awaiting only the ripe moment.
True, neither of them seemed eager to
hasten the time, but II that time was
ever to come II must now be near at
hand; they could not much longer be
content with some time
He frowned with annoyance. Why
couldn't such sensible girl come
home at the proper time. when all ar
rangements had been made for her re-
ception and her family and friends had
every reason TO expect her? sThere
was one consolation in the absence OF
those friends from town; he was not
Obliged to invent answers TO embar-
RAISING inquiries concerning his dila-
tory cousin. But this was small com
pensation for stewing in New YORK py
himself until Paige chose to notify MIN
OF her whereabouts and intended move
ments. He gave one moment of SOBER
thought to the circumstance that ne
really did not know precisely where
she was: II some sudden emergency
should arise necessitating cable he
would not know where to reach her.
But he speedily dismissed this phase
OF the matter; II was no new thing
for Paige to start OF on a holiday
jaunt without confding her proposed
itinerary to anybody, and now MIS-
Devereaux was with her.
Just the same" he mused. If
knew where to catch her. would send
her a cable that would set her to
guessing for a while"
Upable longer to remain quiescent'
he bounded from his chair and coiiid-
ed with Alexander. who was seeking
him In his corner-an accident that
die not affect the pages accustomed
CO.. lposure In the least
Gentleman to see you. sir" Alex
ander announced.
who is it?" Van vechten snapped
irritabiy. Il don't want to see any
body"
He paused. Didn't he? Alexander
had not presented a card. but whoever
the caller might be he signified a d.
version. II he tried any longer to
think he would be a raying lunauc In
another hour. And. besides. something
had destroyed the SAVIOR OF the sole
pleasurable aspect OF his meditations-
n
caught knowing look in the pages
countenRnce.
'Beggin' your pardon. Mr.. Van
veehten. think you'd want to see
this gentleman"
Very well" Van veehten wearledly
acqulcEced SHOW him in"
He did not know tho man who imme-
dfately followed Alexander into the
lounging-room. The stranger was un-
der medium height slender and un-
assuming in appearance. but carried
himself with certain quiet assurance
that commanded attention. He was
as gray as badger. and his lean.
smooth shaven face reeembled tooled
leather.
There was n conspicuously alert
look about his steady gray eyes. Van
vechten also noted. which presently
disclosed a habit of narrowing and re
veaIlng a web OF fine wrinkles at their
corners. This single change of facial
muscles. Van vechten soon learned to
recognize, possessed the peculiarly OF
Indicating one of two moods-concen-
tration upon the matter in hand. or
else n 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 well worth hardening to.
MIR. Rudolph Van vechten?" now
queried the newcomer In tone that
could not have carried yard beyond
the person to whom Il was addressed.
Van vechten nodded and motioned to
chair.
My name" he acknowledged. And.
with n wry mouth: You are a detec-
tive. I might have expected it-but
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: Il am glad to
know that my estimate OF your intelli.
gence was not at fault. Flint Ia my
name-Phineas Flint-from Central
Office"
considering that you have never
seen me before. Mr.. Flint" Van vech.
ten lightly tetorted. ''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.
I'll demonstrate Just how simple
matter II is-if you have ,ardoned 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