Mexico Missouri message., 1914-01-22
BOOK |.
CHAPTER II-contlnued.

First Of all, Van Vechten was struck
by this coincidence. Even before In
ventorying the mans semblance, he
asked himself how many had preceded
him; how many were yet to come. And
how did they time their arrival 80
uicely?
There had been something furtlye
about the second fellows admittance,
Van Nechten recalled, not particularly
on the mans part, but suggested rath
or by the narrow crack which the open
door at first disclosed making one
think that the chain had not been re-
leased until after a parley. And then
the aperture had wldened only enough
for the visitor to squeeze his bulk
Through, whereupon the door had
promptly banged shut. Van Vechten
retained merely sense OF absolute
darkness beyond the threshold; not
the slightest glimpse had he caught
of servant or attendant. The door
might have been tended by invisible
hands.
Again he asked himself: Would the
incident be repeated In another hour?
The walt between ten and eleven
O'Clock dragged with most exasperat.
ing slowness; but the self.apponted
watchers interest was at such high
pitch that he left his third cocktail I'm.
tasted.
Az the hour approached, he darted
quick glances along the street in an
ttcipation OF new arrival. And sure
af
hour. here came third muscular, reeo-
1ute-looking young man, not over-fas-
udiously attired, who was scanning
the house numbers as intently as his
two predecessors had done.
And just as the chimes in the hall
began tolling eleven. he mounted the
steps and rang the bell
Van Yechten scarcely breathed, so
tntently was he following the proceed.
ings across the street. As before, the
door was opened perhaps an inch, a
brief colloquy patiently ensued then
the gap widened barely enough for the
young man to squeeze through. And
also as before, the door was slammed
without Van Vechten obtaining the
least glimpse OF whatever mysteries
might lie beyond.
By now he was taking account OF
time only with reference to Number
1913. He was In such a state of mind
that he forgot that he was tired and
sleepy, or that he ever had been bored.
Other club members-the few unfor.
Inmates anchored to the city-were be-
ginning to drop in, but Van Yechten
was too intent to give any OF them
particular notice until Tom Phinney
arrived.
1t was impossible TO ignore Tom
Phinney. Not that Van Vechten want
ed TO, because he didn't--as a rule
Their friendship antedated their col
lcge days; which was odd enough #
one cared to sum up the difference:
between their two characters. Ton
chimney, never celebrated for his wit
was once inspired TO epigram by ar
appreciation Of these tempermenta
dlssimilarities, and as his utterance fl
not without pith' It Is worth quoting.
He confided to his right-hand neigh
nor at certain formal dinner "Rud
dy not only belongs TO a half of tn
world that's not wise TO how the othe
half lives, but It's the half that doesn'
care rap and would be tired to deaf
II YOU tried to tell It."
With a lazy lifting Of one slende
hand, Van Vechten arrested Phinney'
noisy progress across the lounginj
room. AS soon as Tom comprehende
who was hailing him, his good.hr
mored expression died away with con
Zeal rapidly, a look OF mingled amaz
ment and alarm taking it's place.
Moses and green epectacles!" /
voiced in establishment You! o,
OF bed this time OF day? Sunday, too,
lHe hurried to his friends side and e
amined him critically
Seen doctor yet? You'd better.
you're not able I'll 60 fetch old Pott
sleeps here, you know"
These remarks were ignored.
Draw up a chair" was the respon
no, not that etuffy one; it max
me perspire only to look at 1.-THE "
low rocker"
Tom did precisely as he was dire,
ed. "WelI?" he grunted, cycling VI
Yechten with a concern that was on
half simulated. But in moment
felt his gaze impelled TO follow i
friends
What's up?" he demanded, start
hard--even belligersntly--at the sile
House Of Mystery.
Van Vechten listlessly consulted /
'watca, stified yavn. and then said
twenty-five minutes to twelve.
lgr you a hundred that while .
fl.srt. .triking tho hour a chan n.