United labor bulletin., 1914-04-04

/
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 III
be free"
Della glanced doubtfully at Jessie
! Willard. We might take you as far
as Central park" she proposed.
Thank you'll 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 Wizards 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 reioin
| 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-
fieation deepened at the bald informa-
ton that Mr.. Rudolph was out of the
city"
"out of the city," Tom bawled into
you mean7 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 of 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. was cut short by
a sudden realization that Mr.. Phineas
Flint was standing OF nt a little dis
tance. scrutinizing him curiously.
Flint advanced TO where he was sit
ting in the lounge and helped himself
to an adjacent chair. Tom was no;
precisely overjoyed at the encounter.
How do he said shor,ly-the
broadest Interpretation Of the saluta-
tlon could not construe # as an Inquiry
touching upon the state OF Mr. Flints
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 vechtcn is out OF the city %
he quickly remarked
] hag
since ! learned 1t myself" returned
Tom.
Mr.. Flinrs eyebrows went up. I'm
deed7 Then you haven't been to-
gether7"
Tom shook his head. Il have found
a position"-he Indicated his uniform
~ have been pretty busy. | took a
run downtown to look him up"
The detective eeemed to be much
interested in Captain Phinney's uni
form. The latter was extremely IN at
ease. for he dreaded the astute officers
powers of discernment.
II am rather anxious 10 find him. -
Mr. Flint ended another pause.
Il haven't the least idea where he
Is" said Tom. Learned anything
new7"
The detective produced n small strip
of paper upon which were a half-dozen
or SO typewritten lines: this he sat
holding in one hand
Il have just come from Air. Theo.
dore Van Vechten." he said with a
whimsical air. He sent for me-"
The dickens he did," Tom eN-
pressed his astonishment About your
murder case?-Miss Carew?"
With his customary deliberation, the
other amplified.
MIR. Theodore Van vechten is a
man who can neither be surprised nor
forced from his reticence. | obeyed
the summons rather hopefully. and l
learned just what he wanted mo to-
no more. no less. He had the informa-
tion all ready for me. written upon
this slip of paper"
Tom contented himself with grunt
that was expressive of his bewildar-
ment and curiosity; he did not want to
set n 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 n word of greeting or preface. he
said; II you want 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 I should like to have
seen MIR. Rudolph first"
He handed Tom the slip of paper,
who read with growing bewilderment:
On August is. 1911. letters patent
L wnrn inni,..d f., AIas NlfiiIa. A.. 81