Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1914-04-23

When He Wants to Think by Him
self.
lounging-room. The stranger was un
der medium height. slender and I'm
assuming in appearance, but carrie,
himself with a certain quiet assuranc,
that commanded attention. He wa.
as gray as a badger. AMI his lean
smooth-shaven face resembled tooleC
leather.
There was a conspicuously alert
look about his steady gray eyes, Van
Vechten also noted. which presently
disclosed habit of narrowing and re
vealing web of fine wrinkles at their
corners. This single change OF facial
muscles, Van Vechten soon learned TO
recognize, possessed the popularity OF
indicating one of two moods-concen-
tration upon the matter in hand, or
else 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.
Mr.. Rudolph Van Vechten?" now
queried the newcomer in a tone that
could not have carried yard beyond
the person to whom 1t was addressed.
Van Vechten nodded and motioned to
chair.
My name" he acknowledged. And.
with wry mouth: You are detec-
tive. l 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 is my
name-Phineas Flint-from Central
Office"
Considering that you have never
seen me before. Mr. Flint" Van Vech-
ten lightly retorted. lit is rather ex-
traordinary that you should possess
any particulars upon which to base
The steady. smiling regard still met
the young mans.
III demonstrate just how simple a
matter Il is-if you have pardoned 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 on the blows
lne one on the temple-could have
proved fatal; the other-right behind
me LETT ear-might have stunned him
'r produced unconsciousness. But as
% who did it-theres the question
mere are some extraordinary features
ABOUT this murder, Mr.. Van Vechten "
huuoiph Van Vechten rose and
over to a front window
come here" he invited Mr.. Flint
ana then, after the latter had ouietIv |
oined him, he nodded toward Numhar
.313. YUM oe'
See that house across the wav,
Gu less tnan Two minutes before my
rieno and | came up with the poor
nap lying in the alley, he emerged
rom tnere. l am pretty certain. too
nat his departure was accomnanied
~ some sort of fracas-befsre the
loor was opened, you know"
80
larrowing of the gray eyes. while Mr.
INT subjected the unprepossessIno
acade to long. searching scrutiny
men, he said at last, you vera
him. Why? Surely. not ON,
4 Idle curiosity"
Inc young man shrugged his sbop,.
ers. Sit down." he CURLY babe re
uihiie the seat he had occupied ear
lsr IN the day, while Mr.. Flint sank
nto the one lately occupied by Torr
'ninney. III you can make anvth,na
what / have to tell you, you are
elcome to it,"
ne began with as much OF Number
'ios history as he knew. and with
~ Two reservations, recounted evarv-
ing down to the moment that he and
om rushed from the club to oyertake
le man killed at the alley intersec-
on.
ne detective listened with a marked
IL respectful attention. not once In.
rrupting the recital. And when Van
echten had finished, Mr.. Flint asked
.'nsie question. His preoccupied
OK remained upon Number 1918.
mas 1t occurred to you." he said.
III thoughtful elaboration, ito won.
:, wnere the murderer came from?-
ID whittier he fied?"
van Vechten sat silent, unmoving,
% iace mask. Involuntarily now,
% ihino once more fashioned a man
Ioe neighborhood-one that carried
10 fatal alley straight behind the
ouse across the way.
1 mentioned" Mr.. Flint was pursu.
q, that this case offered some ratb.
extraordinary features. So far
aite the most extraordinary is that a
IAN was struck down on a popuIons
In broad daylight, aud