The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-04-30

hasten the time, but II that time was
ever to come 1t must now be lea at
hand: they could not much longer be
content with some time"
He frowned with annoyance. Why
couldn't such a 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? There
was one consolation in h absence or
those friends from town; he was not
obliged to invent answer to embar-
RAISING inquiries concerning his dlla-
tory cousin. But this was small com
%pensation for stewing in New York by
himself until Paige chose to notify MIN
of her whereabouts and intended move
ments. He gave one momen or SOBER
thought to the circumstance that ne
really did not know precisely where
she was; IL some sudden emergency
should arise necessitating a cable ne
would not know where to a her'
But he speedily dismissed this phase
OF the matter; 1t was no new thlns
for Paige to start off on a holiday
Iaunt without confding her proposed
itinerary to anybody, and now Mrs
Devereaux was with her.
Just the same" he unused, III l
knew where to catch her, | would seno
Der a cable that would set her 10
guessing for a while"
Unable longer to remain quiescent'
he bounded from his chair and coilid-
ed with Alexander, who was seeking
him in his corner-an accident that
did not affect the pages accustomed
composure in the least.
Gentleman to see you, sir" Alex
ander announced.
who is it?" Van Vechten snapped
irritably. 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 di-
version. II he tried any longer 10
think he would be a raving lunatic In
another hour. And, besides, something
had destroyed the SAVIOR of the sole
~pleasurable aspect of his meditations
Alexander resolved his doubts. He
caught a knowing look in the pages
countenance.
"Beggin' your pardon, Mr.. Van
vechten, | think you'd want to see
this gentleman"
Very WELL" Var vechten weariedly
acquiesced. Show him in"
He did not know the man who imme-
- Axnnlnr into inc
lounging-room. The stranger was un'
der medium height, slender and un'
assuming In appearance, but carried
himself with a certain quiet assurance
that commanded attention. He was
as gray as a badger, and his lean,
smooth shaver face resembled fooled
leather.
There was a conspicuously alert
look about his steady gray eyes, Van
/ Vechten also noted, which presently
disclosed a habit of narrowing and re
yeahng a web of fine wrinkles at theil
corners. This single change of facia
muscles, Van Vechten soon learned &c
recognize, possessed the popularity O.
indicating one of two moods-concen
tration upon the matter In hand, OF
else a 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 wouiC
be well worth hardening to.
"Mr. Rudolph Van Vechten ?" nov
oueried the newcomer in a tone tha
could not have carried a yard beyont
the person to whom it was addressed
Van Vechten nodded and motioned Il
a chair.
My name" he acknowledged. And
with a wry mouth: You are a detec
tive. | might have expected it-bu
didn't"
Instantly the steady eyes Contracts
and wrinkled at the corners. Tn
young man all at once discovered tina
his irritation was evaporating, an
that he could smile in sympathy wit
his visitor.
Said the quiet voice: 81 am glad t
know that my estimate Of your INTEL
gence was not at fault. Flint is m
name-Phineas Flint-from Centrs
Office"
SOnSlueTluS tudt yOu nave ucNc
seen me before, Mr.. Flint" Van Veci
o ten lightly retorted, 1T is rather e,
traordinary that you should posses
9 any particulars upon which to bas
an estimate of my intelligence"
y The steady, smiling regard still me
It the young mans.
1t "Ill demonstrate just how simple
matter 1t is-if you have hardened thi
v intrusion?"
y The listener nodded. His attentio
1t was already o
70 Have you any idea how the poe
d. chap met his DEATH" be queried.
a. "Yes," was the prompt reply. III
was struck over the herd with som
G kind OF blunt instrument. II is prett
certain that only one Of the blows
er the one on the temple-could hav
a. proved fatal; the o~ther-right benin
d the LETT ear--might have stunned hi
a or produced Inconsistencies. But
to who did it-there's the question
There are some extraordinary feature
=. about this murder. Mr.. Van vschtsn