The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-01-03

surprise that Van Vechten had not
been there since last Tuesday. He
promptly called up the Kenmore and
got Barnicle on the wire. His mysti-
fication deepened at the bald informa-
ton that "Mr. Rudolph was out Of the
city"
"Out of the ethyl" Tom bawled into
the mouthpiece. What the devil do
you mean? Where out of the city,"
But Barnicle had hung up.
"Oh, WELL" he reflected by and by,
hes learned something about Miss
Carew and is off to see about it I'll
just knock around town a while, then
catch a Central train and go back. It's
perhaps just as well that he don't see
me-"
Then with vivid memory of the de-
1ectable burden he had borne the
| night before, of the smile of the unaf
| fected request that he carry her, of his
| name whispered by her pretty lips
he grinned broadly and happily.
The grin, however, was cut short by
a sudden realization that Mr. Phineas
Flint was standing of at little dis
Flint advanced to where he was sit
| ting in the lounge and helped himself
| to an adjacent chair. Tom was not
| precisely overjoyed at the encounter.
How do" he said shortly-the
broadcast Interpretation of the saluta-
| ton could not construe it as an inquiry
| touching upon the state of Mr.. Flint's
| health and happiness.
That gentleman did not Immediately
| respond, but presently his eyes
wrinkled in a smile.
81 have just learned that Mr.. Ru-
| dolph Van Vechten is out of the CITY,"
he quickly remarked.
at hasn't been more than a minute
since I learned it myself" returned
| Tom.
! Mr.. Fiint's eyebrows went up. I'm.
deed? Then you haven't been to-
gether?"
Tom shook his head 81 have found
a position"-he indicated his uniform
q have been pretty busy l took a
run downtown to look him up
The detective seemed to be much
| interested in Captain Phinney's uni
form. The latter was extremely ill at
ease, for he dreaded the astute officers
powers Of discernment.
Il am rather anxious to find him."
Mr.. Flint ended another pause.
81 haven't the least idea where he
| =" said Tom. Learned anything
| :aw?"
The detective produced small strip
of paper upon which were half-dozen
Or SO. typewriter lines; this he sat
holding in one hand.
| Il have just come from Mr. Theo-
fdore Van Vechten," he said with a
| whimsical air. HE sent for me-
THE dickens he did" Tom ex-
! pressed his astonishm ent. About your
murder case miss Carew?''
| With his customary deliberation, the
other amplifed.
Mr.. Theodore Van Vechten is a
man who can neither be surprised nor
| forced from his reticence | obeyed
| the summons rather hopefully, and /
| learned just what he wanted me to
no more, no less. He had the informa-
ton all ready for me, written upon
this slip of paper"
Tom contented himself with a grunt
that was expressive of his bewilder-
ment and curiosity; he did not want to
set precedent by asking too many
questions. Mr. Flint went on:
ut took him something less than
/ twenty seconds to tell me what he
| wanted and dismiss me-" He seemed
to have enjoyed the episode With.
out word of greeting or preface, he
said: If you want to find Max Will
lard"
"Just that. IF you want to find Max
Willard, perhaps this will help you
He handed me this bit of typewriting
and | was shown out of the office.
am now on my way to follow up the in
formation; but / should like to have
seen Mr.. Rudolph first
He handed Tom the slip of paper
who read with growing bewilderment
On August Is, 1911, letters patent
were issued to Max Willard, New York
through Patterson, Reed G Patterson
attorneys, Washington, D. c., for a new
explosive called "willardite," reputed
to be the most powerful in existence
For several months secret negotiations
have been in progress between Will
lard and the U. S. government.
while Tom had a feeling that this
information, if properly understood
would clear up much that was secret
and obscure respecting Willard and
his conduct, still it did not enlighten
him in any way. Indeed, it was all the
| fn4
should come voluntarily from the Man
of Iron. He puzzled fruitlessly over
it while, then asked:
What's this got to do with either
the murder or Miss Carew?"
Nothing" cheerfully returned the
detective, folding the slip of paper and
depositing it in his wallet, nothing
whatever. Good day."
And he left Tom more perplexed
and mystifed than ever.