The Washington times., 1913-11-02

Robin Van Rensselaer, be-
side him. The latter led him to a
seat off to one side, where he could
overlook the entire scene and note
clearly anything which might arouse
his interest
The service was a short and simple
one, but impressive and ineXpresslbiy
touching in its pathos-the gentle lie
SO ruthIessiy and wantonly extIngulshed
had been a beautiful and Christian one,
and the sweetness oil her charity, the
broadness of her faith, the unDounded
beIiet in the goodness of al with whom
she had come in contact had made her
place supreme in the hearts of those
about her.
AS the great clergyman, who had
known and loved her, spoke few SIM
pie words about the exquisite young
life of Victoria Van Rensselaer,. and
the inscrutable way in which the AL
mighty Father makes His works mani
fest, and the resignation with which
these evidences of HIS will must be re-
ceiyed, there was general breaking
down of the barriers of self-restraint
and low sobs greeted Yorke on every
side.
Only two faces stood out before him
with starting distinctness-Dysart Van
Renssalaer's and that of Paul Hill
dreth- Dysarts s had been distorted and
working in an agony of grief during the
minister's eulogy of Victoria, but had
stiffened, at the suggestion of resigna-
ton, into mask of rage and bitter
hatred which was not good to look
upon. The erstwhile gentle philosopher
would give no quarter, ii was manifest,
when he came face to face with the
one whose hand had drawn the knife
across his young wife'se throat
Paul Hildreth, on the other hand, sat
bearing deeply concentrated, intro
spective look, as IL his mind was busied
with his own thoughts, and the minis
ter's words scarcely pierced his con-
seriousness. What did this inscrutable
attitude portend.
The service over, Yorke spoke briefly
TO Dysart and left the scene quickly,
eyad:ng the obvious attempts of one or
another of that Inflated house party of
the previous week to detain him. The
day bade fair to be busy one, and
nothing could be gained by reiteration.
He returned to his rooms, and found
awaiting him note from Frederick
Bla.sdell. 1t was terse and uncompro-
misingly to the point:
VIII call upon you, as you request. at
noon on Saturday.
Yorke smiled to himself as he re-en-
closed II in the envelope. He was con-
fident that this interview would not ter
inmate In draw, as had his visit from
Paul Hfldreth on the previous day.
He had scarcely dropped the little en-
velope on his desk when William an
nounced Webster, who entered briskly
on the heels of the factotum.
His report, however, was in the main
disappointing. General Kennedy had
left home alone early Thursday after
noon In his own carriage. and had
driven directly TO the Grand Central
There he had taken train to Ossin-
ing, where ne was met at the station by
chauffeur and motor, and was driven
rapidly away in a northerly direction.
No further trace Of the old gentleman,
his chauffeur, or the car had been
found
These facts Webster had ELECTED by
judicious cultivation of acquaintance
with the caretaker in General Ken
nedy's house, the stablemen and host
horses were lodged the employees and
porters about the Grand Central Sta
ton, the conductor ON the train On
which he had Travelled. and, lastly. the
haekmen and hangers-on at the station
al Ossinfng.
The car In which General Kennedy
had left the latter place was a new
model, open touring car, with a dark
olive green body; and the chauffeur,
who was a big fellow, had been pretty
well muffled up, but as the car left
the station his cap had blown off and
he was seen to be young and blond,
with a smooth face and almost golden
hair.
This last information had been CLEAN
ed from the chauffeur OF another car,
who had been at the station waiting
for his employer at the time.
General Kennedy's own chauffeur
was q small, dark Frenchman, with
a black mustache, and no car such as
the one described was in his personal
possession. And that was all the in
formation Webster had to disclose
Yorke pondered In silence for a few
moments. Finally he shrugged his
shoulders.
You've left positively no chance un-
tried to trace the general further"
Positively none. He just disappeared
countryside in broad daylight. It's
poser, sir"
Well. Webster, don't suppose il will
bring any result, but the only course
left to pursue Ii to start again at this
end. Look up any property the Kenne-
dys may own in the lower Hudson val
ley, both sides Of the river, and II they
have any dependents or relatives or in
innate friends in that locality where
they would be at all likely to seclude
themselves for a few days. There
doesn't seem much likelihood of It. but
there's a bare chance you may stumble
on something. Go about II in your own
way. and let me know II you get any
results. at once
When the detective had gone Yorke
threw himself into a chair in troubled
thought
websters's information had been dis
turbingly unexpected. 1t had upset one
or two of Yorke's carefully formulated
supposi tions IN a minor line of his in
quiry, and left him again facing an i'm
passe IN that direction, providing that
Webster did not succeed in unearthing
any clue in the rather vague task he
had set him.
His meditations were interrupted by
an authoritative ring at the door. and
williams announced significantly:
'Mr. Frederick Blaisdell.
Yorke rose to greet his visitor urbane-
ly, but one look at the hostile counte
nance of the very youthful diplomat
precluded any suggestion of cordiality
IN the forthcoming interview.
Mr.. Blaisdell's face was flushed, and
there were angry lines upon his fore
head. He waited for no overtures on
the part of Franklyn Yorke, but spoke
at once, the heated tones of his voice
belytng the indifference Of his protesta- |
ton.
: your note reached me at the club. |
Mr.. Yorke. You asked me to call upon !
you and although I am at a loss to un- |
derstand your reason for wishing to in |
fervfew me, have come.
2 Il know, of course, that you are work |
ing on the murder OF my friend Dysart |
Van Rensselaer's wife, but you did not |
Geek 20 obtain any information from me |
AT the Lair last Tuesday. and ! know |
absolutely nothing which win be Of any
assistance 10 you" |
'Neyerfheless, sit down, Mr. Blaisdell, !