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T . A Mystery
1 D t)C Of Two
Holladay
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(ontint::i).)
w e drove back lo the ollioo and found
Mr. (Jraham th-io. I related to him
tin olivutustutiret of our svnroli ami
Huuinitted to him ami io our junior ono
question for Inmcdlale soM'.onionl.
"At tlio best. It's a delicate ease," I
potntfMl out. "Miss Holladay has pltilu
Jy laid her plans very carefully to pre
vent u.s following liur. It may bo dif
ficult to prove that alio lias not gone
wny entirely of her own accord. She
certainly has a perfect right to go
wherever she wishes without consult
ing us. Have we the right to follow
"her against her evident desire ?"
For a moment Mr. (irnham did not
answer, but Hat tapping his desk witlj
that deep line of perplexity between
Ills eyebrows. Then he nodded em
phatically. "It's our duty to follow her and Hud
her," he snld. "It's perfectly evident
to mu that no girl In her right mind
would act as she has done. She had.no
reason whatever for deceiving us for
running away. Wo wouldn't have In
terfered with her. Jcnklnson's right
bhe's suffering with dementia. We
must see that she receives proper med
ical treatment."
"It might not be dementia," I sug
gested, "ho much as undue Influence
on the part of the new maid, perhaps."
"Then It's our duty to rescue her
from that Influence," rejoined Mr. Gra
ham, "and restore her to her normal
mentality."
"Hven if we offend her?"
"We can't stop to think of that. He
sides, she won't be offended when she
colnes to herself. The question Is how
to find her most speedily."
"The police, probably, could do It
most speedily," 1 said, "but since she
can be In no Immediate danger of any
kind I rather-doubt whether It would
be wise to call In the police. Miss
Holladay would very properly resent
any more publicity"
"Rut," objected Mr. Orahum, "If we
dou't call In the police, how are we to
lind her? 1 recognize, of course, how
undesirable it Is that she should be
(subjected to any further notoriety, but
is there any other way?"
I glanced at Mr. Hoyce and saw that
lie was see lingly sunk In apathy.
"If I could be excused from the
olllce for a few days, sir," 1 began
"hesitatingly, "I might be able to find
some trace of her. If I'm unsuccess
ful, wo might then call in the author
ities." Mr. Hoyce brightened up for a mo
ment. "That's it," he said. "It Lester
look Into It."
"Very well," assented Mr. Graham.
"I agree to that. Of course any ex
pense you may incur will be borne by
the olllce."
"Thank you, sir," and I rose with
fast beating heart, for the adventure
appealed to mo strongly. "I'll begin
at once then. I should like assistance
In one thing. Could you let me havo
three or four clerks to visit the va
rious stables of the city? It would
he best, I think, to use our own people."
"Certainly," assented our senior In
stantly. "I'll call them In and we cau
give them their Instructions at once."
So four clerks were summoned, and
each was given a district of the city.
Their instructions were to llnd from
which stable Miss Holladay had or
dered a carriage on the morning of!
. Thursday, April H. They were to re
port at the otllce every day, noon and
junior's face.
"Mr. Hoyce Is Hi, sir!" I cried. "Look
at him!"
He was loaniug forward heavily, his
face drawn and livid, his eyes set, hla
hands plucking at the arms of hid
chair. We sprang to him and led him
to a couch. 1 bathed his hands and
face in cold water, while Mr. Graham
hurriedly summoned a physician. The
doctor soon arrived and diagnosed the
case at a glance.
"Nervous breakdown," he said terse
ly. "You lawyers drive yourselves too
hard. It's a wonder to me you don't
all drop over. We'll have to look out
or this will end In hralu fever."
He poured out a stimulant, which the
sick man swallowed without protest.
He seemed stronger In a few moments
uud began talking Incoherently to him
self. We got htm down to the doctor'a
carriage and drove rapidly to his lodg
ings, where we put him to bed without
delay. I
"I think he'll pull through," observ-,
ed tho doctor after watching him for
awhile. "I'll get n couplo of nurses,
and Wlljjlyc blra own-ychajoeej. B&
Continents 5
BURTON E.
STEVENSON
Copyrijht. 1903. by
Henry Holt and
Company
?
he any relatives here In Now York?"
"No; his relatives are all In Ohio.
Had they better be notified?"
"Oh, I think not not unless he gets
worse. He seems to be naturally
strong. I suppose he's been worrying
about something?"
"Yes," I said. "He has been greatly
worried by one of his cases."
"Of course,'.' he nodded. "If the hu
man race had sense enough to stop
worrying there'd bo mighty little work
for us doctors."
"I'd like to call Dr. Jenklnson Into
the case," I said. "He knows Mr.
Hoyce and may be of help."
"Certainly. I'll bo glad to consult
with Dr. Jenklnson."
So Jcnklnscn was called nnd con
firmed the diagnosis. lie understood,
of course, the cause of Mr. Hoyco's
breakdown and turned to mo when the
consultation was ended and his col
league had taken his departure.
"Mr. Lester," he said, "1 advise you
to go home and get some rest. Put this
case out of your mind or you'll be
right whore Mr. Iloycc Is. He had some
more bad news, I suppose?"
I told him of Miss Holladay's disap
pearance. He pondered over It u mo
ment with grave face.
"lids strengthens my hellef that she
is suffering with dementia," he said.
him (tut!
couch.
"Sudden aversion to
friends Is one of its
relatives, and
most common
symptoms. Of course
she must be
found."
"I'm going to llnd her," I assured
him, with perhaps a little more contl
d ce than I really felt.
"Well, remember to call on mo If 1
can heli) J'0"- Hot, Hrst of all, go
homo and sleep for ten hours twelve,
If you can. Mind, no work before that
no building of theories. You'll be
so much the fresher tomorrow."
I recognized the wisdom of tills ad
vice, but I had one thing to do first.
I took a cab and drove to the nearest
telegraph olllce. There I sent an im
perative message to Brooks, the Holla
day coachman, telling him to return
to Now York by the llrst train and
report to me at the olllce. That done,
1 gave the driver my address and set
tled back In the seat.
No building of theories, Jenklnson
great for her? Or had she merely
fallen under the Influence of the wo
man who was guilty?' Supposing she
was Insane, what should we do with
her when wo found her?" How could
wo control her? And, supposing she
were not Insane, what legal right had
we to Interfere with her? These and a
hundred other questions crowded upon
me till thought failed and I lay back
confused, Indifferent.
"Here we are, sir," said the driver,
Jumping down from his Boat and Jerk
ing open the door.
I paid him and went stumbling up
the steps. I have no doubt he was
grinning behind me. Ah I fumbled
with my key some one opened the door
from the Inside.
"Why. MlHtalr Losterl" exclaimed
Martlgny'H voice. "What Is It? You
linve no Illness, I hope!"
"No," I murmured, "Pin Just dead
tired," and I started blindly for the
stair.
"Let me assist you," and he took ray
arm and helped me up, then went on
ahead, opened my door ami lighted the
4
'c aiming to
I liml on til- vnt If ii'iu illfllmilt tit Irixm
gnu.
"ThnnkV I said as I dropped Into a
chair.
He sat quietly down opposite me,
and, weary as I was, I was conscious
of his keen eyes upon me.
"We heard from Miss Holladay this
morning," I remarked, unconsciously
answering their question.
He did not reply for a moment, but
I had closed my eyes again, and 1
was too tired to open them and look
at htm.
"Ahl" he said In a voice a llttlu
hoarse. "And she Is well?"
"No. She's disappeared."
"You mean"
"1 moan she's run away," I said,
waking tip a little.
"And she has Informed you"
"Oh, no. We've Just found It out.
She's been gone ten days."
"And you are going to search fof
her?" he questioned carelessly, after
another pause.
"Yes. I'll begin In the morning."
Again there was a moment's silence.
"Ah!" he said, with a curious In
tensity. "Ah!"
Then he arose and left me to tumble
incontinently Into bed.
CHAPTKH XI.
T
I II 10 D nature asserted herself
and took the full twelve hours,
hut I felt like another man
when I left the house next
morning, nnd I was eager to grapple
anew with the mystery. I found two
reports awaiting me at the otllce. Mr.
Hoyce had passed a good night and
was better; the clerks who had spent
the afternoon before In visiting the
stables had as yet discovered nothing,
and were continuing their search.
I looked up a time card of the Long
Island railroad and found that Miss
Ilolladay's coachman could not roach
the city until 0:.'J0; so I put on my hat
again, sought a secluded table at Will
lack's, nnd over a cigar and stein of
bock drew up a resume of the case
to clear tho atmosphere, as It were. It
ran something like this:
March 13, Thurmlay. Hollnilny found
murdered; daughter drives to Wash
ington square.
March 14. Prlilny. Coroner's Incpio.st;
Miss IloUutliiy released: mysterious
noto received.
March 1C. Sunday. Holladay burled.
March 18, Tuesday. Will opened and pro
bated. Murch 28, Friday. MIhh Holladay returns
from drive, bringing nuw maid with
her and dIscharKes old one.
March 29, Saturday. (lives orders to
open summer house.
April 1, Tuesday. Asks for $100,000.
April 2, Wednesday.-Gcts It.
April 3, Thursday. Leaves home, osten
sibly for Uelalr, In company with new
in. lid.
April II, Monday. Uutler icports hor dis
appearance; Roycc taken 111; I Ih-bIii
my search.
There I stopped. The last entry
brought mo up to dale. There was
nothing more to ndd. Hut it seemed
Impossible that all the developments
of this mystery should have taken only
a month. Por years, as It seemed to
me, 1 had thought of nothing else.
I looked over tho schedule again
carefully. There was only ono opening
that I could see whore It was possible
to begin work with the hope of accom
plishing anything. That was In the
very lirst entry. Miss Holladay had
driven to Washington square; she had,
I felt certain, visited hor sister; 1 must
discover tho lodging of this woman.
Perhaps 1 should also discover Frances
Holladay there. In any event, I should
have u new point to work from.
Tho police had been over the ground,
I knew. They had exhausted every re
hourco In the effort to locate Mr. Ilol
laday's mysterious visitor and had
found not a trace of her. Hut that fact
did not discourage mo, for 1 hoped to
start my search with Information
which the police had not possessed.
Brooks, tho coachman, should bo able
to toll nic- -
Recalled suddenly to remembrance
of him, I looked at my watch and saw
that It was past his hour. I was pleas
ed to llnd him awaiting me when I
opened the olllce door three minutes
later. I had only a few questions to
ask him.
"When your mistress left the ear
rlage the day you drove her to Wash-In-,
i on square did you notice which
street she took nfter she left the
square?"
"Yes, sir; she went on down West
Broadway."
"On which side?"
"Th' left hnnd side, sir; th' east side."
"She must have crossed the street to
get to that side."
"Yes, sir; she did. I noticed per
tle'lar, for 1 thought It funny she
shouldn't 've let me drive her on down
th' street to wherever she was goin'.
It's a dirty place along there, sir."
"Yes, I know. When you drove her
out on the 28th tho dny she brought
back the maid where did she go?"
"To Washington square ngain, sir."
"And left you waiting for her?'
"Yes, sir; Just th' same."
"And went down the same street?"
"Yob, sir; crossed to th' east sldo
Just th' same as th' time before."
"How long was hIic gone?"
"Over an hour, sir; an hour an' a
half, I should say."
"Did you notice anything unusual In
heT appearance when she came back?"
"No, sir; Bho was wearln' a heavy
veil. She had th' other woman with
her, an' she Just said 'Home!' In a kind
o' boarso voice as I helped them Into
(if
vl
Kb
til
il
Are You Ready
for Christmas?
Do ou know it is only two weeks away? Do
on know where to buy those Christmas pres
ents to tlie best advantage? You do il you
have been in our store lately. You will know
if sou get one of our Christmase Sale Bills.
This will be the biggest Bargain sale ever
held in Red 'Cloud. If
W
lt
to
to
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to
Calendars for 1906
to
to
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$100.00 invested in Beautiful Calendars not to
the ordinary, but extraordinary nice enough J
frt- rnr t-i?tf1rt- Vf
go in the home of each of our customers. In
order to secure one of these Calendars you
must come in person. Do not send.
to
to
to
to
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0
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First Calendar will be given away Thurs
day, December 14th. First come, first served.
Attend
Dec. 9
Tapnafe
it
A
Red Cloud,
th' carriage."
That was all that he could toll me,
and yet I felt that It would help me
greatly. In the llrst place, It narrowed
my Investigations lo the district lying
to the oast of West Broadway, and I
knew that the l-'rench quarter extended
only a block or two In that direction.
And, again, It gave 1110 a point to lnlst
on In my Inquiries I knew tho date
upon which the mysterious woman had
left her lodging, or, at least, 1 knew
that It must be one of two dates. Tho
lodging had boon vacated, then, either
on the 28th of March or the ad of April.
As a last resource I had the photo
graph. I was ready to begin my search
and dismissed Brooks, warning him 10
say nothing to any one about the mys
tery. As I passed out tho door to the pave
rnout I happened to glance across tho
way, and there, in tho crowd of bro
kers who always line the street, I
perceived Martlgny. He was listening
Intently to one of the brokers, who
was talking earnestly In his ear tell
ing him how to make bis fortune, I
suppose and did not see me. Kor an
Instant I was tempted to cross to him
and get him out of danger. Then I
smiled at the absurdity of the thought.
It would take a clever mnn to llecco
Martlgny, and 1 recalled his strong
fuce, his masterful air. He was no fool,
no lamb ready for the shears. He was .
perfectly able to look out for himself
to wield the shears with power and ef- j
feet, If need be. j
I turned west toward Broadway,
still, I suppose, thinking of him sub
consciously, for a few moments later
some Irresistible impulse caused me
to glance around, and there he wns
winning aner me on me oppose
of the street! Then In a flash I un
derstood. IU was following me!
It Is difficult to describe the mock
that ran through me, that left me
numbed and helpless. Kor an Instant
I stumbled on, half dazed; then grad
ually my self control came back and
with It a certain fierce Joy, a hot exul
tation. Here at last was something
definite, tangible, a clow ready to my
hand, If only I were clever enough to
follow It up; n ray of light In the dark
ness. I could feel my cheeks burning
nnd my heart leaping at the thought.
But what had been his part In tho
affair? Kor a moment I groped blind
ly In the dark, but only for a moment.
Whotever his share In the tragedy, ho
had plainly been left behind to watch
us; to make sure that we did not fol
low the fugitives; tp warn them In
case of danger. I understood now his
solicitude for Miss Holladay "in her I
take such, an Interest" It was Jm-
to
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You Miss It, You Miss it,
You Miss it, You Miss it.
rlicito I h fi f nii n( timer "
to
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a as
to 23. Where?
to
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Bros
of Course.
porfanf That he shouhl know the mo
ment we discovered her absence. And
he had known; he knew that I was
even at this moment commencing tho
search for hor. My cheeks reddened
at the thought of my Indlsereetness;
yet he was a man to command confi
dence. Who would have suspected
him? And an old proverb which ho
had repent el one evening Hashed
through my mind.
"Silly Is the sheep who to the wolf
herself confesses," I had translated it,
with that painful llteralness character
istic of Hie beginner. Well, I had boon
the sheep and silly enough, heaven
knows!
I had reached Broadway, and at tho
corner I paused to look at a dlsplaof
men's furnishings in a window; Par
down the street on the other, side, tu
' most lost In tho hurrying crowd, Mnr-
tlgny was buying a paper of a news
boy. He shook it out and looked quick
ly up and down its columns, like 11
man who Is searching for some special
Item of news. Perhaps he was a spec
ulator; perhaps, after all, I was de
ceiving myself in Imagining that ho
was following mo. I had no proof of It;
It was the most natural thing in tho
world that he should bo In this part of
the town. I must test the theory be-
1 fore accepting it. It was time I grew
wary of theories.
I entered the store and spent ton
minutes looking- at some neckties.
When I ante out again Martlgny whh
Just getting down from a bootblack's
chair across the street. Ills back wns
toward me, and I watched him get out
his little purse and drop a dime Into
the bootblack's hand. I went on up
Itrnadwav. lnlterlnir sometimes, some-
times walking straight ahead; always,
away behind me, lost in tho crowd,
was my pursuer. It could no longer bo
doubted. He was really following mo,
though he did It so adroitly, with such
consummate cunning, that I should
never have seen him, never have sus
pected him, but for that fortunate In
tuition at the start.
A hundred plans, flashed through my
brain. I had this advantage he could
not know that I suspected him. If I
could only overmaster him In cunning,
wrest his secret from him and then,
as I remembered the strong fnce, tho
piercing eyes, the perfect self control,
I realized how little possible It was
that I could accomplish this. Ho was
my superior In diplomacy and deceit:
ho would not pause now at any means
tojiBsurp thejiuccess; of his plot.
(To be Continued )
Hay and teed at Plumb's. 1
. I
mMMuuiMVfcMatt?',
