The Washington times., 1913-10-26

usually at this time of year, but she
| may be in Paris STILL
Thank you. Esther. and good-by. 1
know I can rely on your discretion"
You never prove it" she complained,
dolefully. Let me know whatever you
can about the case. I'll be anxious to
hear. Good-by, Frank, and good luck"
During the simple luncheon at near
by restaurant Yorke pondered on his
next step. The disclosures Of the morn
ing, comparatively Insignificant as they
seemed. rendered necessary a change
from the routine he had planned for
his days work.
He felt imperatively the need of push
ing one phase of his inquiry to a con-
clusion, be that conclusion what it
might. Should it prove, but a blind stall
1t would be but one of the complica-
tions which hampered. his progress def
nitely removed.
He glanced at his watch. paid his
check hastily, and departed for the
nearest subway station again. His talk
with Miss Dale had consumed more
time than he had intended, his cogita-
ttons during luncheon even longer, so
that 1t was nearly 8 o'clock when he
once more started downtown.
The Stock Exchange had suspended
business for the day when Yorke reach
ed the office Of Jack Warde, In Broad
street, and that gentleman was busily
engaged In auditing his various accounts
for the day.
A pert black-haired stenographer was
exchanging facetious pleasantries with
clerk in the outer office as Yorke
waited He regarded her musfng1y, the
whimsical thought coming to him that
perhaps she. too, was changeling, a
mysterious disappearing person, with
past shrouded in uncertainty, and a fu-
ture Swallowed with tragedy.
Perceiving that his intent regard was
being hatteringly mistaken for more
personal interest, he turned his discom-
forted gaze toward the reopening door
and beheld Phillip Merriman!
Hello. YorkeI" exclaimed that as
tonished individual. Didn't expect to
! find you here! On the trail Of
"Ha-humr' coughed Yorke warning
ly II came to see Mr.. Warde on a lit
low tone, as Phillip reached his side.
Look here, Hazelton, is Broome In
his Office" asked Philip. turning to the
clerk q.
mo. sir; he's gone for the day."
''Then come along in here" said
Philip, dragging Yorke toward a small
private Office, which opened on the
talk here"
Yorke closed the door carefully behind
them, and then said quickly:
Remember, Merriman, not a word
about the Van Rensselaer, case or that
girl. Mary Kelly, to MI. Warde. And
Tn not Franklin Yorke here. I'm Mr..
Burke.Richard Burke-and I want in
formation about my cousin May. You
understand? You can take me along
and Introduce me to Warde, II you will.
That will make him talk more readily,
and I want to know all he can tell me
in your employ, or your uncle's. or
grandfather's. as clerk. or salesman. or
office boy-anything. That will account
for your knowing me and taking an in
terest in my search"
sented Philip somewhat doubtfuiIy.
But Jacks a pal Of mine, and when
he finds out the trick I've played on
him he'll round on me like the devil.
Couldn't you tell him the truth, and
MY dear Merriman, replied Yorke,
earnestly. there are about twenty people
too many to whose discretion am COM
PEELED by the exigencies of this case to
hold Of the fact that there is a bare pos
| sibility Of a connection between the girl
the entire detective force Of the East is
searching for, and this former stenog-
rapher Of Mr.. Warde's. to say nothing
Girl" it viii mean the termination of
any further inquiry on my part along
these lines.
"If believed the ends Of justice would
be more quickly served by putting the
police in possession of your wild theory.
should certainly advise your telling
them at once, but you can imagine how
they would receive such a fantastic
story. II by any chance they should
take IL half seriously, they would bungle
the inquiry into II irremediably. The
fewer people We must of necessity trust,
the better"
81 suppose you are right, Of course"
admitted Phillip. Jacks good fellow
he'll understand. of course, when / ex-
plain matters to him"
IF 1t ever becomes necessary" sug-
gested Yorke. What are you doing
down in town.
A Continuation Of This Story VIII
BE Found In Tomorrow
Isaue of The Times.