The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1916-11-16
w. Va, Thursday November 16 1916

Whoih luS neuTl IuOuTneu without Gems
ing, he had cared most for Drummond
of all the men he had known and liked
in the old life. Now he felt
alone and very lonely, sick of heart
and forlorn. There was, of course,
Lynch, his partner in the Antipodes
Whitaker was fond of Lynch, but not
with the affection that a generous-spir-
tied youth had accorded Peter Stark
and Drummond-a blind and unreason-
ing affection that asked no questions
and made nothing of faults. The ca
pacity for such sentiment was dead in
him, as dead as Peter Stark, as dead
as Drummond.
1t was nearly midnight, but the hour
found Whitaker in no humor for bed or
the emptiness of his room. He strolled
into the lounge, sat down at a detached
table In a corner, and ordered some
thing to drink. A page, bearing some
thing on salver, ambled through the
lounge, now and again opening his
mouth to bleat, dispasslonately mis-
ia Whitaker. Mista Whitakerw
The owner of that name experienced
flush of evaporation. What right
had the management to cause him to
be advertised in every public room of
the establishment? But the
next instant his resentment evapor-
ated, when he remembered that he re-
mained Mr.. Hugh Morten In the mana
gerial comprehension.
He lifted a finger; the boy swerved
toward him, rendered blue envelope,
accepted a gratuity and departed.
1t was a cable message; very prob
ably an answer to his to Grace Petit.
Whitaker tore the envelope and un-
folded the inclosure, glanclng first at
the signature to verify his surrnise. AS
he did so, he heard his name q second
time.
Pardon me; this is Mr.. Whitaker ~
A man stood beside the little table
One whom Whitaker had indifferent
ly noticed on entering as an equally
lonely lounger at another table.
! Though he frowned involuntarily
with annoyance, he couldn't well deny
his identity.
"Yes," he said shortly, looking the
man up and down with a captiOus eye,
Yet it was hard to find much fault
with this invader of his preoccupation.
He had the poise and the dress of a
gentleman dignity without aggressive.
ness, completeness without ostentatiun.
He had spare, not ungraceful body, a
plain, dark face, a humorous mouth,
steady eyes: man easily forgotten or
overlooked unless he wIlled it other.
wise.
MY name is Ember," he said quiet
ly. IF you'll permit me-my card"
He offered slip of pasteboard en-
graved with the name of Martin EN-
Der. "And I'll sit down, because l
want to talk to you for a few min
utes.'
Accordingly he sat down. Whitaker
glanced at the card, and questioningly
back at Mr.. Ember's face.
II don't know you, but
What are we to talk about, please?"
The man smiled, not unpleasingly.
Mrs. Whitaker" ne said.
Mrs. Whitaker didn't send you to
me? Then how What the deuce!
Y happened to have a seat near your
box at the theater tonight" Mr.. En-.
Der explained coolly. "From-what ]
saw there, 1 inferred that you must be
yourself. Afterwards / got hold of
Max, confirmed my suspicion, and ex.
tracted your address from him."
81 see," said Whitaker, slowly
'Who the devil are you?" he demanded
bluntly.
II was" said the other slowly, "once
q private detective. Now-Pm a per.
son of no particular employment. of I'm.
dependent means, with a penchant-
you're at liberty to assume-for pok.
Ing my nose into other peoples busi-
ness. Mrs. George Petit once EN-.
ployed me TO find her sister, Miss Mary
Ladislas, who had run away with q
! chauffeur named Morton"
Just a minute" said Whitaker sud.
| denly-''by your leave"
Ember bowed gravely. For a thought
longer Whitaker's gaze bored into his
eyes In vain effort to fathOm what was
going on behind them, the animus un.
discovered by his words; then, remem.
bering, he looked down at the cable
message in his hand.
Martin Ember 0t RAM private
agency 1895 Broadway, Grace Petit"
Whitaker folded the paper and put Il
away In a pocket.
"GO on, please" he said quietly.
"In those days" Mr.. Ember resumed
II did such things indlnerenty well. ]
/ had little trouble In following the run.
aways from Southampton to Green,
port. There they parted. He was want.
ed for theft I'm a former position, was
| arrested, convicted and, sent to Sing
Sing; where he presently died, I'm
/ glad 70 say Miss Ladislas had
registered at the Commercial house as
Mrs. Morton. She was there, alone
under that name, for nearly week
before you registered as Hugh Nor
ten, and In the space Of n few hours
married her. under your true name
and shipped her on to New York"
fright" Whitaker agreed steadily
/ "And them"
IL traced her to the Hotel Belmont
where she stopped overnight, then lost
her completely; and so reported to
Mrs. Petit. I came into n little money
about that time, and gave up my busl.
ness: gave it up. that IS, as far as
placing myself at the service OF the
public was concerned. After some time
Mr.. Drummond sought me out and