New Britain herald., 1921-09-23

| Anthony demanded savagely.
 "I have been doing that for some time"
 "Hitchin. you're the most utter ass that ever breathed! You" | "Doubtless. but at the same time murder is murder. and murder will out. Fry" the extraordinary crime student said steadily. as he arose. Now hear me quietly. shall do nothinS-you understand, nothing until afternoon, unless circumstances render action imperative. I want to help you. to come to the unfortunate end quietly if nothing else. I shall be in my apartment all morning. Think it over. Think it over with Boiler. Then. when you have de- cided that you need help, come and see me-
 Then MT. Hitchin. courageously turning his back upon the pair, moved out of the flat leaving Johnson Bol- Ter and his oldest friend in a state of partial paralysis.
 Have you decided how to get me out Of here?" Mary asked brightly, entering without n sound.
 Anthony stayed the bitter words that were in his very throat.
 We have been accused of murder ing David Prentiss!'' he said.
 "Realily?''
 Very really indeed!''
 Isn't that funny" Mary laughed. Isn't it perfectly ridiculous?"
 Its a scream!" said Johnson Bol- Ter About the time we both get pinched it may be up to you to"
 Tell tha truth?' Mary said quick
 Just that
 'Tn never do it!'' the girl cried passionately No! Not even to save both of you! I'm not here through any fault of my own. and-and-why, man who could suggest such a thing"
 She said no more. Lips parted. and eyes. all in an instant. thoroughly mortified. she stood and listened; and from the door of Anthony's apart ment a noisy humping sounded once more and a voice said:
 Hurry upi Open that door,"
 Robert again. Mary gasped. Wilkins. muttering as he fumbled at the latch, was mentioning Mir. Vim ing's name and bidding him be pa tient for an instant-and Mary, with n little scream, had made another of her projectile disappearance down the corridor-and into the room came Robert Nining.
 He was far from being the same collected young man. His whole per son seemed to have been towsled by some overwhelming excitement. His eyes belonged in the head of a mad man. and his hands waved irrespon sibly as he rushed at Anthony Fry and clutched his coat and panted:
 Fry! You'll have to help mel"
 Help you-how?"
 You know more people than T. you know people everywhere. An thony! You'll have to help by call ing them up and having them call up their friends. you know. That that may do some good. IT don't knowi I don't know what I'm talk ing about. Anthony! I feel as if I'd 1 gone crazy!"
 You act very much that way" An thony said quietly. Whats wrong?"
 Robert Vining gaped at him and then laughed quite insanely.
 'wronF," he shouted. Wrong! Mary's disappeared"
 Mary"
 You don't know Mary-no. of course not" young MT. Vining rushed on. "She-she's the girl I'm going to marry. Anthony. Yes. I'm en- gagged. although it hasn't been an- nounced yet. I've been engaged for a week now. and we-great Heavens. can't think. She's gone. Fry! She's just gone, Mary! Why. my little Mary out alone at night" young ] Robert choked She's just twenty, i Anthony-a delicate. beautiful girl like that disappearing from the most beautiful. the happiest home in all New York Why. from the day she | was born. Dalton never spared a penny to-"
 "Eh? What DaIton?" Anthony asked suddenly.
 What? Theodore Dalton, of course. He's her father-Dalton, the patent medicine man. Anthony. You must have met him? You know Theodore Dalton?"
 Curiously. fortunately enough, sheer nervous tension jerked him away from Anthony Fry just then and set him to pacing the floor. q man dis tracted, n man unseeing. man who rocked of nothing on earth beyond his terrible and immediate grief.
 And this was very well indeed. for Anthony was certainly making him. self conspicuous!
 Anthon:.. took three backward steps and looked at the unconscious Robert much as if the young man had brand cd himself a leper-and then, one hand on his head. Anthony staggered into the corridor; down to the win dow-seat, where he collapsed much as if the bones had been whisked from his long. slender legs!
 Here Johnson Boiler. following, found him five seconds later. MT. Boiler. who was beginning to feel peculiar himself, shook his old friend with no gentle hand as he handed:
 What is it now?' What in blazes got you that time. Anthony? Are you going to have a fit ?''
 Johnson Anthony Fry said pite- ously. i've kidnapped the daughter IL l.. ,,.n.ll ,,,h