The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-08-13

smile.
IF you don't mind, III meet you
here-any time you say" returned
Tom. 81 want to run down to my
club and look up a friend, then I'll
be free"
Della glanced doubtfully at Jessie
Willard. 1--WE 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 p~erfunctory
Of responses. Jessie Wizards secret
distress sat heavily upon them all. AS
eagerly disposed rs 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 in]credulous
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-
ication ~deepened at the bald informa.
ton that "Mr. Rudolph was out OF the
city"
"Out of the cityl" Tom bawled 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 off to see about it. I'll
just knock around town a while, then
catch a Central train and go back. It's
perhaps just as well that he don't see
me-
Then with a vivid memory of the de-
lectable burden he had borne the
night before, OF the smile of the unaf-
fected request that he carry her, of his
name whispered by her pretty lips
he grinned broadly and happily.
The grin, however, vas cut short by
Flint was standing off at a little dis
lance, scrutinizing him curiously.
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
broadcast Interpretation of the saluta-
ton could not construe it as an inquiry
touching upon the state OF Mr.. Flint's
health and happiness.
That gentleman did not Immediately
respond, but presently his eyes
wrinkled In a smile.
Il 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 | learned it myself" returned
Tom,
Mr.. Flint's eyebrows went up. en-
deed? Then you haven't been to.
gether?"
Tom shook his head. II have found
a position"-he indicated his uniform
- have been pretty busy. took a
run downtown to look him up"
The detective seemed to be much
interested in Captain Phinney's uni.
form. The latter was extremely iii at
ease. for he dreaded the astute officers
powers of discernment.
II am rather anxious to find him."
Mr.. Flint ended another pause.
II haven't the least idea where he
is" said Tom. Learned anything
new"
The detective produced a small strip
of paper upon which were a half-dozen
or so typewriter lines; this he sat
holding in one hand.
Il have just come from Mr.. Theo.
dore Van Vechten," he said with a
whimsical air. "He sent for me-"
"The dickens he did," Tom ex-
pressed his establishment. About your
murder case?-Miss Carew?"
With his customary deliberation, the
other amplifed.
Mr.. Theodore Van vechten Is a
man who can neither be surprised nor
forced from his reticence. | 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 c~ontented himself with a grunt
that vas expressive of his bewildcr-
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 a to find Max VIII
lard"
Just that. III 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 l should like 10 have
seen Mr.. Rudolph first"
He handed Tom the slip Of paper.
who read with growing bewilderment:
On August IS. 1911. letters patent
were issued to Max Willard. New York,
through Patterson. Reed & Patterson.
attorneys. Washington. d. c.. for a new
explosive called "willardite." reputed
to be the mos. powerful in existence.
For several months secret negotiations