The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-11-12

He demonstrated his return to COM
mon sense by making a round break
fast in Grand Central station before
looking up the residence of Digby in
the telephone directory.
The information he gathered from
the voice that answered the name Of
Mr.. Etgby over the telephone shook
only momentarily Barcus' innate con-
viction that intimate acquaintance
with battle, murder and sudden death
was the inevitable reward of associa-
ton with this friend OF his heart.
"Alan being married to Rose Trine
in Jersey City at this very mnute!"
he brcathcd slseptically as he emerged
from the booth memorizing the ad-
dress OF the alleged officiating clergy
man. II don't believe it; it's too sud
den"
Forthwith he engaged taxIcab to
convey him to Jersey City, at top
speed, for an northumberland.
And when. from the forward deck of
a ferrybcat, he beheld a dense volume
of smoke advertising u confiagration
on the Jersey shore, not far from the
waterfront, he shook moodily sa-
gacious head.
IF Alan isn't mixed up in that,
somehow" lie declared, hes missing
bet for once-and I'm q sorry failure
as prophet of woe and disaster!"
There was as much intuitive appre-
hension as humor responsible for this
remark; witness the fact that, on land
ing, he rlsked the delay required to
turn aside aud have a look at the fire.
1t proved 10 be situated in the heart
OF a squalid slum-a wretched tene-
ment of the poorest class. whose roof
had already fallen in and whose walls
we're momentarily threatening to so
by the time Barcus arrived on the
scene.
At a considerable distance from him
n small disturbance had broken out
u cIamor OF protesting voices lifting
about tie rumor of the mob-as a
number OF men, case.hardened roughs
one and all, began to force their way
in a V.shaRed wedge through the
throng, making toward It's very heart
the uoint on the tire.lines nearest the
burning building.
What this meant, Mr.. Barcus had
not the slightest idea. But his atten-
ton was first distracted by the maneu'
yer. then fixed by the face of man
who was following in the hollow OF
the Van evil white face that seemed
somewhat vaguely familiar, somehow
reminiscent Of something strange that
had happened i'll the history Of ME-.
Barcus. i..
AT the same time, at the point where
the v had paused, wild uproar lifted
up and, coincIdentally, a wilder contu'
sion became noticeable. A cry was
audible" Lyach him! Lynch
him! Lynch the firebug!"-and at
this the mob turned as one man and
streamed away in 'Mrsuit OF an In
visible quarry who chose to attempt
Ills escape by a route directly oppo'
site 10 that which would have led him
/ within view Of Mr.. Barcus.
Startled, and OF a sudden persuaded
that there might have been more in
his 'hunch" than was sanely to be
credited, BarCus started up and was
on the point OF stepping out Of his
cab, IL with rather aimless purpose.
when he was stayed by sight Of that
evil white face returning the way II
had come-stIll in the hollow Of the
flying v, which now made faster prog
-. .La,,I,r In tim JiSorfa riZatton of
the mob by the chase Of the, alleged IN
cendiary.
And now. larcus saw. the man OF
the white face was not alone. There
WIS someone with htn1-someone
whose head was bent and face con
cealed. but who seemed to be femt'
nine
And so. Barcus argued, why might
1t not be Rose Trinel suffering new