United labor bulletin., 1914-01-03

of which he replied to numerous ques-
tions on the part OF his unseen inter-
locutor.
Followed several minutes Of intent
listening by Barnicle. then he said:
"Mr. Rudolph is not a gentleman
that shows is feelings. don't y'know.
and that is what makes me sure that
whatever is bothering him is serious.
can tell when anything is a-worryin'
him" And. In a resentful tone: "'E
called me a satire. Il as something
on is mind. so e as. yet e is a-sleepin'
like a 'ealthy hinfant"
Another pause.
Il understand-some time tomorrow
night. / was afraid for a while that l
could not ind an opportunity to call
you tonight: his coming 'ome SO early
and unexpected like. don't yknow. and
his being that concerned quite took me
breath away"
Barnicle replaced the receiver as
noiseiessly as he had taken 1t down.
and after switching OF the lights stole
away to regions best known to him
self
Next morning. bright an6 early. Ru-
dolph Van vechten Was seated at his
writing-table. while Barnicie. tall.
whitehaired. cadaverous OF counte-
nance. but extraordinarily efficient.
moved quickly about his morning
tasks. and SO quietly that the young
man was not aware of his presence.
Van yechten was compiling a list
OF his friends and acquaintances In
London. together with such names of
VI ha rnsfS
ing completed this TO his satisfaction.
he next directed his attention to the
composition of n cablegram which. he
trusted. would elicit news OF Paige or
Mrs. Deyereaux without occasioning
too much comment on the part OF the
recipient
II was well after ten O'Clock when
be finished his labors and departed.
Tho instant the door closed Barnicie
left OF what he happened to be doing
nj the time. and stood listening TO the
footballs growing fainter in the hall
Presently he heard his masters voice
utter a sharp Down" an ensuing
olank and clatter OF the elevator door.
and Barnicle broke into activity again
fastening over to the writing-table
be went deftly through a number OF
papers. Van vechien had left sew
erai rough drafts OF the cRblegram and
also one OF two complete. but badly
scratched list OF names. One each OF
these Barnicle selected. carefully fold
cd and placed In his pocket.
In the meantime taxi cab con
veyed Van vechten to tho nearest
telegraph Office. where he nled the
foltaNsln. - 80
person on his list:
Have lost my Cousin Paige Carew's
address She will not write until she
hears from me. Fear che is Ill. Can
you supply her present address,"
He left instructions that all replies
be delivered at the Powhatan. whittier
he betook himself TO wait.
Barely had he made himself comfort
able in front of one OF the windows
overlooking the street, when the hall
door again opened He looked round
and Seheid Tom Phinney. Reserving
his greeting until Tom drew nearer. he
was about to turn away again. but
something In Toms appearance and
bearing abruptly struck him as being
bit cold. He gave the truant a sharp
glance.
For one thing. Toms noiseless en-.
trance was In marked contrast to his
customary boisterous arrival; a grave
and thoughtful cast now sat upon his
usually good-humored countenance,
and he was contemplating Van vechten
with prcoccupied stare which plain.
iy took no note of his surroundings.
Seeming all at once 10 become aware
NJ th.. hxrs sh..
halted. uttered faint "Hullo. Rudy"
then proceeded to chair beside Van
vechten's into which he sank deiib-
erately. He sat gazing dreamily into
the street. ms inert as protoplasm.
Van vechten surveyed him from
time to time. growing more and more
puzzled. as the minutes passed with
out sound or movement from his com
panion.
"well7" he dryly broke the silence
at last. 1T was an invigorating show
er we had last night"
A grunt from Tom was the sole re-
sponse. He didn't even trouble to look
around. Then Van vechten injected n
note of cheerfulness into his next
speech.
But It has turned delightful today"
"Uh-huh." from Tom.
Great Scott!" cried the other i'm
patiently. What's the matter with
your Are you III, Or is It money
or debts7"--aithough he knew Tom to
be n marvelously healthy animal. and
that neither OF the other two possibili. |
ties had power to disturb him In the
least.
Tom now slowly revolved his head
and looked at Van vechten. CLASSIFY. |
without replying. he absentiy fell to
caressing one wrist which appeared to
his companion to be somewhat swol. |