The Monticellonian., 1915-09-09

1 dntdu.
 Such was the entrance of the strang- er-Marcius Del Mar-into America.
 How l managed to pass the time during the first few days after the strange disappearance of Kennedy l don't know It was all like dream the apartment empty, the laboratory empty, my own work on the Star uninteresting, Elaine brokenhearted, I life itself a burden.
 ] Hoping against hope, the next day i I decided to drop around at the Dodge 1 house. As I entered the library un- announced I saw that Elaine, with a i faith for which I enyied her, was sit 1 ting at table, her back toward the door. She was gazing sadly at a pho tograph. Though I could not see it, I needed not to be told whose it was
 She did not hear me come in, so en- crossed was she in her thoughts. Nor did she notice me at first as l stood just behind her. Finally I put my hand on her shoulder as if I had been an elder brother.
 She looked up into my face. Have you heard from him yet?" she asked anxiously.
 could only shake my head sadly. She sighed. Involuntarily she rose and together we moved toward the garden, the last place We had seen him about the house.
 We had been pacing up and down the garden. talking earnestly, only a short time when a man made his way in from the Fifth avenue gate.
 ''Is this Miss Dodge?" he asked. Neither Elaine nor l knew him at the time, though l think she thought he might be the bearer of some mes sage from Craig. As a matter of fact, he was the emissary to whom the ste nographer had thrown the torpedo model from the Navy building in Washington.
 His visit was only part of a deep laid scheme. Only few minutes be- fore three crooks-among them our visitor-had stopped just below the house on a side street. To him the others had given final instructions and note, and he had gone on, leaving the two standing there
 Il have a note for you" he said, | lowing and handing an envelope to Elaine, which she tore open and read.
 Washington, D. c. Miss Elaine Dodge,
 Fifth avenue, New York
 My Dear Miss Dodee:-The bearer, | MT. Bailey of the Secret Service, would like to question you regarding the disappearance of MT. Kennedy and the model of his torpedo.
 Morgan Bertrand.
 United States Secret Service. Even as we were talking, the other two crooks had already moved up and had made their way around back of the stone wall that cut off the Dodge garden back of the house. There they stood, whispering eagerly and gag ing furtively over the wall as their man talked to Elaine
 After a moment I stepped aside, while Elaine read the note, and as he asked her a few questions could not | help feeling that the affair had very suspicious look. The more I thought of 1t. the less I liked it. Finally l | could stand it no longer.
 T beg your pardon" I excused my self to the alleged MT Bailey, but may speak to Miss Dodge alone just minute9'
 He bowed. rather ungracefully thought, and Elaine followed me aside while I told her my fears
 'I don't like the looks of 1t my self" she agreed "Yes, I'll be very careful what l say
 While we were talking I could see out of the corner of my eye that the fellow was looking at us askance and frowning. But if l had had an X-ray eye l might have seen his two com panions on the other side of the wall, peering over as they had done before and showing every evidence of annoy ance at my interference.
 The man resumed his questioning of Elaine regarding the torpedo, and she replied guardedly, as. in fact. she could not do otherwise.
 Suddenly we heard shouts on the other side of the wall, as though some one were attacking someone else.
 There seemed to be several of them. for man quickly flung himself over the wall and ran to us.
 They're after us" he shouted to Bailey.
 Instantly our visitor drew gun and followed the newcomer as he ran to get out of the garden in the opposite direction.
 Just then tall. well-dressed. strik- ing man came over the wall, accom- panied by another dressed as police man, and rushed toward us.
 The car bearing the mysterious stranger, Del Mar, kept on until it reached New York. then made it's way through the city until it came to the Hotel La Coste.
 Del Mar jumped out of the car, his wet clothes covered completely by the long coat. He registered and rode up the elevator to rooms which had al ready been engaged for him. In his