Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-06-17

4
must be when she sees all the rot
that's being printed about her"
He heard the older man grunt. "a
precious lot Of consider IN she has
shown for our feelings" he said. But
you are mistaken; the newspapers
may be our best allies, and 1t is not
good policy TO antagonize them at this
stage.
Frankly" the incisive voice went
on, Il arn now exceedingly worried; If
there we're not so many vital business
matters exacting my personal atten-
tion-things | can't neglect because
| they involve the welfare OF others-I
would drop everything and take up
the search myself. But | must leave
that part Of 1t to you; know you will
be diligent"
Rudolph assured him on this point,
adding. But my hands are so hope
lessly tied by the utter absence of a
starting-point; there is nothing to
take hold of, nowhere to begin. Why,
haven't evolved even a tentative
theory yet. What the devil does 1t all
mean anyway? Have Paige and 10.
sephne both lost their minds?"
No answering oracle came over the
wire, and the Man of Iron uttered his
parting injunction: Use your best
judgment: spare no expense"
Van Vechten emerged from the
stuffy booth and shook his head like a
swimmer far out at sea. who, while
not sighting land. despairs not, but
struggles bravely on. The entrance
Of Mr. Flint at this critical period had
the soothing effect OF balm. H.s
manner was so quiet and unobtrusive.
so metbodioal and unru1Iled. and with.
al so confident, that ones pligbC must
be desperate indeed for one not to
respond to the inspiriting influence OF
his presence.
Well. so you have turned up at
last" Van Vechten greeted him sour
ly. Good heavens. man! Why don't
you keep in touch with civilization
when you etface yourself from the
world9"
This is the first opportunity have
found for communicating with you
since we parted last" was the calm
response Don't fear but that shall
keep In touch with you, for the way,
matters are shaping II begins to look
as though ] shall need your assist
ance pretty constantly"
Van Yeehten bent eagerly across
the table.
Have you learned anything?" he de-
manded.
"Yes--and no Nothing definite
about Miss Carew. But | have un-
earthed good many facts which may
or may not have bearing on our in
vesttgation-for am including the
mystery of your cousins disappear
auce with the mystery Of Sundays
murder There's connecting link
somewhere, although l haven't hit
upon it. The dead mans identity has
been established"
Both young men looked an interro-
cation. ard Mr.. Flint proceeded,
Now that we have learned who he
is, the facts tend 10 confuse rather
than TO enlghten: there is no hole
where he fits in. II would seem that
he was rather a worthless sort. an
expert mechanic. but at outs with his
union and discredlted generally by in
dustrtous members of his trade His
name was O'Neill. He never worked
anywhere long. and his quitting Of a
job was invariably the elimination of
fnF
speakers manner abruptly altered He
asked curiously;
Has Scotland Yards sudden activ-
ity in Miss Carew's behalf anything TO
do With your present perturbation ?"
Van VeShten smiled feebly. Is my
shattered nervous system SO ruthless
/ ly exposed" he asked but. truly,
/ don't comprehend your question. ="
They have cahled Central Omce,"
4 MIR. Flint explained. "a half-dozen
times today for information. The aft
ernoon's extras mention a reward
twenty-five hundred dollars being of
fered in London for information of
| Miss Carew, That would account for
their sudden interest"
BY way OF answer the young man
handed hlEl the cablesram from Foth.
erlngill Mr., Flint glanced at it. 'uen
he sat up with a jerk and his eyes
narrowed to mere slits He pondered
the text for some time while the two
Young men watched him in silent Gu
riosity
/ WE'LL he breathed at last, return.
I ing the message. here IS one more
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