Evening star., 1919-04-13

the sense that something
big was gathering, and al
ways wondering why Loveman was hold
ing back-the summer grew toward its
prime. Jack he occasionally saw; the
young fellow seemed to be keeping his
promise made that night out in front
OF LIE Minuit. And occasionally Clifford
saw the elder Morton. who was remain
Ing In town despite the heat, to watch
over his son in this latest testing of
Jacks fiber. But all this while Clifford
did not again see Mary.
And then in the early days of August
there happened what perhaps had been
inevitable this long while - something
which was, perhaps. despite halts and
hopeful upward turns. merely follow
Ing Of the direction in which this affair
had been foredoomed to move since he
mad first come into 1t. clifford first
him. He found the financicr with his
grim power Of control trying to repr ess
his agitation.
~Day before yesterday was Jacks
twenty fifth birthday" said Mr. Morton,
him by his aunt-two hundred thousand
cash, you remember. That same day it
was deposited in his name And that
same afternoon he began drinking. He
was at It Yesterday; he did not appear
at the office at all. And last night he
did not go home; Mary has not seen
him since yesterday morning. Cod"
with burst OF emotion-"I don't like
to be asking you this again---but do
what you can to find the boy"
"I'll get him II l can," Clifford said
quietly, and went away.
Clifford did some quick thinking. Jack
at last might just naturally have
reached the limit Of the endurance of
his good resolution-yes, that probably
was the case. But even II so. the weak
- ness Of the eaten-away structure Of
Jacks will was not alone responsible
for his break down and disappearance.
All Clifords instincts, and all his cold
reasoning, told him that Loveman was
1t was. as he we'll knew. an easy matter
TO keep man-either with or against
his consent-hidden in the vast human
wilderness Of New York.
More intently, and more carefully than
before Clifford now followed the little
lawyer-about his downtown legal work
by day, about the restaurants and roof
aardens at night. Every hour of the
twenty four either Clifford, or the men
assigned to help him had the little man
discern. Loveman was preserving the
established routine Of his life a figure
at various public resorts until 3-then
to oed-up at Sat his office at 800
then with his dinner at beginning the
round Of pleasure for the night
But on the fourth evening after
Jacks disappearance there was
slight variation. Clifford. supping
with Uncle George. whose COM
pany he found boon in this
late.houred routine. saw Loveman
start home at little before
an hour earlier than was his won't
In . taxi with Uncle George Clifford
Followed Loveman's car. saw Love-
man when he came to one of the up
per West 40-a street of one
time handsome residences-slip out
OF his car and walk rapidly through
the quiet. deserted cross street. Cliff
FORD also got quickly out of his taxi,
and slipped into the dark shadow of
stoop-where Uncle George, show
ing surprising Quickness, Joined
him a moment later.
little way down this street be-
fore black windowed house, Clifford
noted two empty shadowy automo-
biles: he saw that they were alike at
ieast In this. that both were low and
long. built evidently for speed and
the ability to maintain it,
having reached this darkened and
seemingly empty house. Loveman
old-fashioned stoop. The next IN
stant he had let himself in with a
latch-key.
II suppose you know what that
pIace is?" WHISPERED Uncle George,
gripping Cliffords forearm sharply.
fes' brea,hed Clifford-"the house