Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1914-03-18
BOOK |.
CHAPTER discontinued

FIRST OF all, Van Vechten was struck
pv this coincidence. Even before in
Ventorylng the mans semblance he
asked himself how many had preceded
MIN; now many were yet to come And
now did they time their arrival so
nicely?
There had been something furtiye
about the second fellows admittance.
Van Vechten recalled: not particularly
on the mans part, but suggested rath-
er by the narrow crack which the omen
door at first disclosed, making one
think that the chain had not been re-
leased until after a parley. And then
the aperture had widened only enough
LOT the visitor to squeeze his bulk
through, whereupon the door had
promptly banged shut Van Vechten
retained merely a sense OF absolute
darkness beyond the threshold; not
the slightest glimpse had he caught
OF servant or attendant The door
might have been tended by invisible
hands.
Again he asked himself: Would the
incident be repeated in another hour?
Inc wait between ten and eleven
CLOCK dragged with most exasperat.
ing slowness; but the self-appointed
Watchers interest was at such high
pltch that he left his third cocktail un
tasted.
AS the hour approached. he darted
quick chances along the street in an.
uclpauon of new arrival. And sure
enough, at & minute or two before the
hour, here came a third muscular. reso-
iuee-iooklng young man, not over-fas-
uolously attired, who was scanning
the house numbers as intentIy as his
Two predecessors had done.
And just as the chimes in the hall
began tolling eleven he mounted the
steps and rang the bell.
van Vechten scarcely breathed. so
lntently was he following the proceed
lngs across the street. AS before the
uoor was opened perhaps an inch.
brlet colloquy patiently ensued. then
Inc gap widened barely enough for the
young man to squeeze through. And
also as before, the door was slammed
without Van Vechten obtaining the
least glimpse of whatever mysteries
might lie beyond.
BY now he was taking account Of
1913. He was in such a state of mind
mat ne forgot that he was tired and
sleepy, or that he ever had been bored
other club membership few unfor-
Inmates anchored to the city-were he.
ginning to drop in, but Van Vechten
was too intent 10 give any of them
particular notice until Tom Phinney
arrived.
1t was impossible to ignore Tom
Phinney. Not that Van Vechten want
ed to, because he didn't-as n rule
Their friendship antedated their col.
lege days; which was odd enough II
one cared 70 sum up the differences
between their two characters. Tom
Phmney, never celebrated for his wit
was once inspired 70 epicram by an
appreciation OF these tempermentoI
dissimiiarties. and as his utteranca ie
not without pith it is worth quoting
He conGded 20 his right-hard noieb.
Dor at certain formal dinner. Rud-
dy not only belong to- a half of the
world mats not wise 10 how the other
half lives but it's the half that doesn't
care a rap and would be tired TO death
If you tried to tell IT,"
With q lazy lifting OF one slender
hand Van Vechteu arrested pbipua,.c
noisy progress across tho lounoipg.
room. As soon as Tom comprobanded
who was hailing him. his good.hu.
mored expression died away with cor.
zeal rapidly. a look Of MINGLED amaze.
ment and alarm taking its place
Moses and green specialized" bl
voiced ir astouishment Youl ON.
OF bed this time Of day. Sunday. tool"
lie hurried 20 his friends side and OK
amiued him critically.
Seen q doctor yet? You'd better II
you're not able III 20 fetch old pottIe
sleeps here you know"
These remarks we're gnored
Draw up chair" was the response
mo, not that etuny one. 10 makes
me per~pire only 70 look az it-tbe y,l
low rOcYcr."
Tom did precisely as he was direct.
ed. 'Wcil?' he grunted. eyeinz Van
Vechten with a concern That was only
half simulated. But in o. moment he
felt his gaze impelled 20 follow his
friends
What's upT" he demanded staring
hard even belligerently-a the silent
House e. Mystery.
Van Vechteu lisueasIy consulted mis-
watch. stined a yawn. and then said.
twenty-five minutes TO twelve. TI
lay you a hundred that while the
clocks striking the hour a chap viii