The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-02-27


possible change was rung upon the ex-
cited query in the hectic headline:
where Is Paige Carew?"
Rudolph Van Vechten, prominent
clubman and well-known society ia
vorite,. the missing girls fiance, had
been signally evasive in his replies.
The interview with him was quoted in
full, and the abusive comments made
1t appear as If he were at the time dis
tressed to the verge Of insanity.
A recent celebrated abduction case
was summarized. and certain similari-
ties between 1t and Miss Carew's
evanishment were played up strong"
the deliberate intention of course be-
ing to insinuate that the girl had met
with like outrage.
In short, so adroitly was the whole
thing worded that the Sphere in no
way committed itself; and however
Miss Carew might reappear, and what
ever the subsequent explanation. 1t
would be good Cor another front
page" story. and the Sphere would
have nothing to retract.
Van Vechten, white with rage,
CRASHED his teeth. CHANGING up to
ascertain whether he was the target
Of too many curious eyes, and discov-
ering that he and Tom were once more
alone, he gave vent to hushed but
heated expression of his feelings.
That" gritted he, mutilating the
sheet with vicious jab of his fist, lis
damnable. If that meddling little re-
porter were here I'd thrash him within
an inch OF his life. Lord. won't Uncle
Theodore rage and tear his hair
when he sees it? Believe me. old chap,
there'll be something doing now.
Alexander Where did that
boy go?"
Alexander was upon the scene al
most as If by magic. his mien one of
childlike innocence.
Van Vechten instructed:
Telephone the Kenmore garage and
have Ramley fetch my touring car
here immediately-th largest one"
Ensconced In one of the clubs
age and next Ramley. whom he thus
addressed:
Say, you Ramley hick. your boss
wants his biggest buzz-wagon at the
Powhatan, C. Q. d. -Jget it? -.
Watts that? Who? Me? Well.
I'd rather be fresh kid than picked
mutt. Beat it. youse. and don't get
pinched on the way, else youse'll be
chasin' annuder job"
Whereupon he forestalled further re.
partee by speedily hanging UP and re-
suming his occupation Of lurking, un-
observed but strictly vigilant. in the
offing.
That Ramley not only got the i'm
port Of Alexanders message, but APP
preciated its urgency as well, was
proved by his prompt appearance.
This beats hunting taxis every
minute or GO" Van Vechten explained
to Tom, land Ramley might as well be
earning his wages. I'll just keep him
at hand for emergencies"
Let Ramley go; I'd rather run the
machine than listen to you talk, any
how" returned Tom, candidly. "A
fellow might have chance to think"
The offer was considered seriously,
and, to Toms satisfaction, favorably.
Perhaps" Van Vechten returned.
1T might be as well not to have too
many witnesses In case anything very
private occurs; even the best OF SER
vants-including Barnicle, OF course
can be made to talk, II cleverly
manipulated"
Alexander went to fetch Toms mo-
toring gear from the cloakroom locker.
and Ramley was dismissed.
Under Toms expert guidance the
huge machine glided silently over to
Fourth avenue, across Union square
to Broadway, and down that busy
channel, as IL II were held within the
speed limits only with the utmost diff
Guilty. Arrived at the New street Of
fees, Tom remained with the motor
while Van Vechten FASTENED to his
uncle
The Man OF Iron, 1t was quickly
learned. had already seen the Spheres
article. And something was already
doing, too. Outwardly entirely un-
moved, iroplike, infiexible, showing
nothing of the annoyance that stirred
beneath his adamantine crust. he had
pulled this wire and that one, with the
result that the Spheres entire local
staff, from the city editor on down
to the newest cub, we're solicitously
specializing upon the chances of land
ing new jobs in the extremely likely
event that their present ones would
terminate next payday. A striking
tribute, this to the Man OF Irons far
reaching power; for In all the wide
world no other authority could so have
shaken the apparently impregnable
strength OF this great journal.
Moreover Uncle Theodore had al
ready very explicitly cabled his prin.
cipal Paris and London representa-
tives, who had means OF gathering In
telligenco beyond the scope either OF
police or nows bureaus. All OF which
he succinctly and Internationally laid
before his nephew.
- am beginning 10 fear" he terse-