Rocky Ford enterprise., 1914-10-09

Della offered him a hand.
81 suppose the launch will come for
us?" she said with sober little
smile.
"If you don't mind, I'll meet you
here-any time you say" returned
Tom. II want to run down to my
club and look up a friend, then I'll
be Free"
Della glanced doubtfully at Jessie
Willard. I'VE might take you as far
as Central park" she proposed.
Thank you-if I'll not be in the
way"
And the long ride downward was
made in silence. save for an occasional
remark from Della, to which Tom
could find only the most perfunctory
of responses. Jessie Willard's secret
distress sat heavily upon them all. AS
eagerly disposed as Tom was to be in
Delia's company, yet 1t was with a
sense of relief that he separated from
the two girls. after agreeing to rejoin
them at the Claremont at noon.
Thirty minutes later he was at the
Powhatan, learning with incredulous
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 city!" Tom bawIed 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 on to see about 1t. I'll
just knock around town a while, then
catch Central train and go back. It's
perhaps just as well that he don't see
me-"
Then with vivid memory of the de.
lectable burden he had borne the
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
n sudden realization that Mr.. Phineas
Flint was standing on at little dis-
tance, scFutinizing him curlously.
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
broadest Interpretation Of the saluta-
tion could not construe 1t as an inquiry
health and happiness.
That gentleman did not Immediately
respond. but presently his eyes
in a smile.
II have Just learned that Mr.. Ru.
dolph Van vechten is out OF the CITY,"
he quickly remarked.
1T hasn't been more than a minute
since l learned 1t myself" returned
Tom.
Mr.. Flint's eyebrows went up. In
deed7 Then you haven't been to-
gether?"
Tom shook his head. 81 have found
a position'-he indicated his uniform
II have been pretty busy. | took a
run downtown to look him up"
The detective seemed to be much
interested in Captain Phfnneys uni.
form. The latter was extremely Ill at
ease, for he dreaded the astute officers
powers of discernment.
II am rather anxious to find him."
Mr.. Flint ended another pause.
81 haven't the least idea where he
is" said Tom. Learned anything
new?"
The detective produced a small strip
of paper upon which were half-dozen
or SO typewriter lines: this be sat
holding in one hand.
ft,ct
dore Van vechten." he said with a
whimsical air. He sent for me-
THE dickens he did!" Tom ex-
pressed his astonishment. About your
murder case?-Miss Carew?"
With his customary deliberation, the
other amplified.
Mr.. Theodore Van Vechten is a
man who can neither be surprised nor
forced from his reticence. I 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 a precedent by asking too many
questions. Mr.. Flint went on:
1T 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 a word of greeting or preface, he
said: If you want to find Max VII.
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.