The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-11-14
CHAPTER FTFTY-FIvE

TOHN MITCHELL struggled to
y control his voice. Then you
have no idea what time she left the
house?" he asked. "You didn't think
it strange she was not here at din
ner timer"
He was standing in Evelyn Par
sons living room. Evelyn just had
told him of Celia's disappearance.
Mitchell held the note which the
girl had left in his hand.
Mrs. Parsons touched handker-
chief to her eyes "Oh, John, you
talk as though I'm to blame!
told you I don't know. I'm so ter
ribly upset."
But you must think" the man
cut in sternly. Every minute lost
may be important! Calm yourself,
Evelyn. This is no time for hys-
terics!"
She saw he was unmoved by her
pretended grief and changed her
manner. You're right, of counsel"
Evelyn said. I'VE must find her.
Poor child We must think what
to dol"
What time did you say the maid
saw her"
"wait-I'll get Rose and she can
tell you everything" Mrs. Parsons
hurried from the room.
While he was waiting Mitchell
strobe back and forth across the
floor. His hands we're thrust deep
in his pockets. The mans face
was white, his eyes tortured.
It was more than five minutes
before Evelyn returned. BY that
time Mitchell was pacing like a
Gagged animal. He stopped short as
the door opened and the two women
entered.
This is Rose" Evelyn Parsons
began. Rose, tell Mrs. Mitchell
when and where you saw Miss
Celia last"
The maid looked sleepy. She held
a long, figured robe about her, ap-
parently slipped over nightgown.
Though she had arisen from bed
Rose had been thoroughly coached
by her mistress.
Il think it was about 4 O'Clock"
the maid answered. Il was COM
ing through the hall and I saw Miss
Celia standing in front of the mir
ror in her room putting on her hat.
She didn't say anything, but
minute later when 1 was in Mrs.
Parsons dressing room I heard door
shut and then footsteps going to-
ward the outside door. That's all
I know about it,"
She was alone?" Mitchell asked.
Yes, sir. There wasn't any one
else here but the cook in the
kitchen"
"You say it was about o'clock?
Earlier or later than that?"
I'm not just sure, sir, but 1t
must have been about that time be-
cause at 1870 I went downstairs to
do an errand. 1t couldn't have been
very long before that"
Il see. I suppose you know &C.
las disappeared? Has she ever
said anything to you that might give
YOU an idea where she could have
gomez
ID OSE looked toward Mrs. Parsons
N and shook her head mo, sir.
She never did"
well, this doesn't help much
Mitchell was addressing Evelyn.
Some one else must have seen her.
How about that doorman-the one
on duty afternoons. Is he here
now?"
NO" Mrs. Parsons answered, "but
we can reach him. Rose, telephone
downstairs and find out where to
call the man who was at the door
this afternoon"
Before the maid could take up
the telephone Mitchell had it in his
hand. I'll do it," he said, and i'm
mediately was in conversation with
the operator.
The result of ten minutes of al
ternate waiting and frantic CONVEX
sation produced the news that Celia
Mitchell had left the apartment in
company with tall young man
whom the doorman had seen fire.
quently.
They had driven away in a black
roadster. The doorman agreed that
it might have been about# o'clock,
but he was not sure.
Mitchell slammed down the tele-
phone. Its that Shields!" he ex-
claimed. Blind fool-why didn't 1
guess. Good God, they may be any
wherel Evelyn, Evelyn"
Mrs. Parsons sprang to her feet.
John, dearest, don't take it so ter
ribly! Everything may be all right.
Please! For my Sake!"
He pushed her aside. Where
does Shields live?" he demanded.
II haven't any ideal"
The man stared at her. You
promised to be responsible for my
daughter" he said harshly. but you
know nothing about her goings and
conings in the house. You are I'M
able to name any of her friends
who might tell me what's become