The evening world. Newspaper, June 5, 1915, Page 11

~_ ‘ANSARI Ee alt: i ae a ah aR avoRcuauE Reamer tem me ett The Evening World Daily Magazine. Saturday. June 5, 19435. qWhy Men Fail # © wwe, © By JH. Camel RIAA AAR (Copyright, 1912, by A.C, MoClure & Co.) SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS, Rudolph Van Vechten and Tom Phinney, from & window of the Powhatan Club, see four men girl enter No, 1513, a newly leased howe the street. Later they see one of the men iAgeer Out to the atreet, where he drape dea’ ‘To Flint, Centrat Office detective, Rudotph tells what he bad seen, On « day's outing at Rocky Core, Tom Phinney recognises one of the men lie had even entering No. 1313, cad following, is taken prisoner by compenions whom the min meets, and who call him “Calls,” Imprisoned fm @ dark room in a nearby houso, be is later re- eased by a eweet-roiced girl whow face be ts ‘unable to ere on account of the darkness, Ru. dolph, engaged to Paleo Carew, the want of ius uncle, Theodore Van Veehten, is visited by Le tective Flint, who has found ber mesh bee in N), 1828, although Paige is supposed to be travelling im Burope with « friend, Flint Intimates that «le ie to this country and is the victim of a hid- napping plot, Pitot further states that he talked with the young womai wan seen tering No, 1819, and that ahe indicated « strona istike of Rudolph, who declares that he does not even know ber, Rudolph enters No, 1813 just in time to rescue the mysterious girl from Callie, Ho fe knocked senseless in the ensuing fight, ‘Tom secures the job of captsin on the yacht Kohinur, lying off the Claremont, On board he meets the girl who released him at Rocky Cove, Me knows her only as “Della,” Later abe con: feaees to him that she ta the miseiog Paige Carew, An emissary of Flint ts Giscotered by Tom aboard the yacht, CHAPTER XX. (Continued,) A Disappearance. ‘ ‘ IT down,” said Tom pres- ently. As the man S obeyed he stood up and, thrusting his hands Into his jacket pockets, cgolly surveyed the other. “It happens,” he went on, “that 1 know ‘your uncle’ pretty well my- aelf.” The man gave him a quick, sharp glance, but said nothing. “I would advise you not to attempt to wend that letter ashore, It's my opin- fon that you can serve Fiint's ends better by doing just what Willard has employed you to do, and by try- ing not to excite Willard’s suspicions, You will earn a thousand dollars, won't you?” returned “You may depend on it,” Tom as- @ured him. “I have known for some time that Flint was looking for Wil- lard—and more especially for John Callis"— The detective sharply interjected: "Do you know where ho is?” “He's on this yacht right now— disabled, That's why you happen to be here; you were hired to take his place. I'll gee to it that he doesn't t away from you. Strikes me you bave opportunitics that old Flint would appreciate.” The man no longer tried to dis- semble, “I ace that you have me spotted all right, Cornelius is my name. What's the game? Phineas had no time to put me wise.” “He coukin't have told you so very much,” replied Tom—“little more than I can myself. I am not in Wil- lard’s confidence, but I have the best of reasons for knowing that what- ever it is he's up to, it is strictly on the level. “Hm-m-m,” Cornelius mused, “that makes my position a bit difficult, doesn't it?” “Not particularly so, All you have to do is play fair, If anything crooked shows up you can count on my assistance. But the orders are strict about going and coming, and you couldn't expect me to make an exception of you, Flint or anybody else, On my side, I shall say nothing to Willard about you.” Cornelius picked up both bill and Jetter, returning the first to his pock- et and tearing the second into tiny “Flint will be all up in the cr over not heaving from me, ree marked; “but if I can't, t can't, You have the deadwood on me now. Have you any idea what was in that box they brought aboard last night “Not the slightest,” returned Tom. “Tt looked a whole lot like a coffin Tom filled and lighted his pipe, while Mr. Cornelius sat and watched him intently. As the same idea had occurred to the first named, he could not disparage it now. Cornelius broke the ailence: “Coffins, you know, are only used when there are dead people to put in them. Any cadavers around here that "ve noticed?” Pics a nice cheerful chap. e," retorted Tom, "No, there See ches Tt can’t be Cullis, because Mw getting well—saw him less than 0. meditatively, "that Willard is expect~ ing somebody to die~at a given time, ossane it all!” Tom dut in, “You don’t think the man 1s plotting delib- erate murder, do you? Cornelius did not say what lhe thought. He sat considering. “Well,” he said at last, rising, “I guess I'll have to take your word for it that everything is all right until I see different, But a coffin’—he shook his head dubiously-—"it don’t Jook good to me.” Whereupon he took his departure, Shortly after nightfall Tom saw Willard and the man Cornelis board the launch and go ashore, and he watched them with a quickened sens of anticipation, “Lt that sleuth is worth @ darn,” THE TIME-LOCK A NEW YORK CITY MYSTERY -ROMANCE a By CHARLES E. WALK he reflected, “now ts his chance to ge! word to Flint.” He did not witness their return, but about an hour later he had a glimpse of Cornelius and one of the other young men, garbed in solled and worn overalls and jumpers Mke a pair of stevedores, Somewhere around half past nine, the coffin shaped bor once more ap- Peared. But now, Instead of two men, al four of Willard's retainers were car- rying It. Indeed, it would acarcely be too much to say that they staggered with It, so heavy had it grown, and so marked was the contrast between the ease and indifference with which it had been brought aboard, and the extrime caution with which it was being handled now, Willard’s patent explosive flashed into Tom's mind. After all, was it not possible that he was about to perpetrate some appalling disaster, and that Paige and Jessie had been won over to whatever extreme mis- taken principles he justified his con- duct by, so that they too believed them to ‘be right and high minded? With an imminent sense of the man’s powerful individuality strong upon him, the tdea, hideous as it was, was not altogether impossible. Willard was himself superintending the box's conveyance with such anx- | fous regard and solicitude that Tom's misgivings swept over him again, in- tensified a hundredfold. With no clearly defined purpose in mind, he involuntarily stepped up to the gangway, as they began to nego- tlate the dificult descent of the ac- commodation steps. “You need more help there, don’t yor he demanded, Willard barred his progress with a idenly extended arm. ‘0, no," he returned quickly. ‘These men have been carefully ia- structed; they know just what to do and how to do it. Nevertheless it was with a disquiet- ing feeling of apprehension that he watched the long box lowered care- fully Into the launch, which was Im- mediately cast off and allowed to drift stream instead of across to the land- ing. What was the meaning of it ail, returned. anyhow? What strange operations Pose yourself, my d were going on in his very presence ney Will assist you to your room.” “Oh, Aunt Jo! them? Jonsie. He walked aft to the taffrall, upon again! which he leaned and stared into the why—" night at the poin sudden uncontrollable fit of weeping. At vanlabed antl ete Ge nunc As this juncture ‘Tom was awak: hopeless lethargy He ran to the that he should remain so ignorant of had vanished, until roused by a touch upon his arm and the voice of J upon him. “Capt. Phinney, do you know where Miss Carew is “Wh was in her room—or with yo ‘The girl all at once seemed to shrink with @ sudden unnerving fear. “She's not in her room!” she cried. “I thought she was, but she has not been. Neither have I seen her—not since dinner.” There was a pause, “Didn't she go ashore?" Jessie pres- ently faltered. “No,” Tom replied, saint; for by Saturday night he had How long the ensuing silence #o far recovered that, at his uncle's lasted, while they stood staring help- repeated urgent solicitations, he was sly into each other's eyes, and by ble to attire himself in the habili- degrees realized the significance of ments of formality and attend the girl's absence, neither of them ‘irectors’ meeting, of which already afterward ever knew. he had been notified, A dinner of the directors preceded place that might conceal a girl, ter- t0® Meeting, At its close, the butler noiselessly approached the table and held a whispered col- After a minute or two the Man of Iron nodded, the butler stole away, and the man who was speaking at the time, realizing became one of tense something extraordinary was n impending, paused, faltered, stopped, and sat down. They first looked into every likely vor and dread growing with each step that brought nothing to ight. Tom seareely noted an elderly lady who joined them and in @ soothing man- ner tried to compose the almost hys- terical girl. As for Tom, he was from the very first torn with an awful, unspeakable fear, but he acted with a despatch and directness that left no possibility neglected, Their own hurried but nevertheless quite thorough search proved ineffec- tive, all hands were called, and the Kohinur had such a@ fine-combing as must have brought to light the small- _ est of lost articles, to say nothing of a young lady, Th sir brought into play, down-stream, while all the Kobinur's boats plied hither and thither in the quest But it was all of no use; not the slightest trace of the missing girl was to be found, Yet Jessie, with her elderly companion, hoping in the face rouslis Pape i Aaana alate, watel he box suggesting as it did the enc Of desparing. certainty, watches and of human endeavor, was not an in waited until the last boat returned, spjriting centrepleco, earfully she qv stioned the men, harmony with the temper of the eve- who shook their heads in silence MMs; but after much jocose apecula- ng its likely contents, at servants ap- The girl's overwrought nerves gave peured with screwdrivers and, amid way as Tom, haggard and almost an expectant hush , moved, approached, Clinging to the MAO into the very heart of the company's good humor, was realized only reluc- r the box did not belle what it . It really contained a coffin; one distinguished by its ele- ant cream-colored s!lk-plush cover- and went thelr way fren other woman, she sank we a deck-chalr, her body with sobs. tanuly; fe “Aunt Jo.” she gasped, “ tell Mr, Phinny—everything, “The Boss is Away; I'll Skip Early! the stockholders, f iron's fists sudden: This lady held her obvious agita- ing and pure ros with the current into the darkness be- t® and distress under admirable tion. fore the motor was started. None of control, and she was still trying to the crew accompanied it on this trip, 820the the distracted girl, and, as once before, It went down- Vain. “Yes, yes, we must tell him—take im fully into our confidence,” she “But you must try to com- Capt. Phin- & were of the sam i UC floor, granping at every object wi the name-p n th a steady, reach, pulling down chairs and tables the Atlas safe, in With the injection into the banquet of an element x startling, Rudolph V sire to depart vanish has my inven tion been given a definite value by Mr. Van Vechten'’s financial genius, but vised a Wily sirip me of my share of the prvoeeds, | Lom not an invited guest of sqpusiness and it did mot take long evenue of legal re- stirred tho rest of t presently’ he observed that ther tnet- ved a special meaning to thos#® present to his uncle, Was the whole thing enough to recoxnixe that T can not be toerced; so It ik You WhO never see her She part of fool i mans your utter r I can't stand it! oe The words were lost in a . huge practl- dress was closed toward that end hay been done—by now, just one Your nisce’ has bee: inissing for some time, hag she not? he Man of Iron. poi if it was, it must pensive one for the per came the suggestion machine, and on upon the gathering These men, however, were not lack- ing in courage was removed from box was taken former was given the » where tt reposed like unattractive epergne the silence r+ - ened from his ® hail from the river. sie Willard, She spoke with an agi- head of the accommodation steps tation that had an electrifying effect Where Mercer was parleying with some one in « boat. “Who is it?” demanded Tom, brush- Fr to accept the Inventor went on: “T merely want t dition to a well ea lated charge of is in this caske this moment." glanced at his wateh. : two minutes until twelve.” thing was to be heard save the ¢ ticking, each pulsation mark- fateful second. i stead~ aecdoret Van rier, and that If redress was to be en robbed of a fortune. “it Is precise! T haven't seen her all eve- voice came up out of the darkness, only Justice ning,” he returned, “I supposed sho “This is Flint CHAPTER XX1. What the Box Contained. WILLARD'S visi Rudolph Van Vechten par- took more of the nature of a visitation—as of some vt operations Max Willard, in his purpose; Vechten, an image of power and In- ty--looked into each other’ piigned by some suprising coup that emanating from was plainly audib! some of them overturr furthing of my dues, or else not one to enjoy them, mil, call it a hold-up, call it r you will, the fact is that Not to beg. pr ask, ut tobenforce a distribu- ven of the profits of the where they stood staring in horror at this unwelcome prefiguration of the hand slid to anothe soon that he pressed The whole thing fell apart Devereaux, on the strength of old into the shape of a davenport lounge. In the midst of the creamy cushions thus disclosed, clad in a white yacht- Ing costume, Which In {ta preset ting might well have been the ments of the dead, At this moment a quiet voice was Carefully, gentleme @ slight jar might prove disastrous.” The company turned to behold a man of impressive appearanc © been one of them, though him. previously His white hair, his smooth- shaven, finely wrinkled heard to say: tion of my sh statement into the position of Super- intendent, of whic Justly deprived" Theodore Van Vechten had gradu- d of the table, with his hands on I have been un- ally returnes hands clasped » difficulty in winnin, ‘and naturaily upon her bosom, ttle difficulty in utiful young girt ded the one mark of Hor Carew manding personality more than natural looked to for an hat he should be planation of the e casket and th » huge table's spc The ticking stlil continued. satin pillow upon plot was to extend mo further than a which the fair head rested, Max Wil a look, and he a: 1 shall annihilate leas napery, of you and myself,” wateh asain “You all unde six minutes within which to mak your minds,” bated stillness that the head of Perfectly composed mistaking the fact that he completely dominated the situation Van Vechten noted that loquy wv You have just Man of Iron’s attitude all snapped It shut. alert watchful q that follows sudd n realization th face to face with death in som It was a stillness that was regular clock-like vhich seemed as if the jess occupant of the beautiful casket, having gone before, With an air that i led many to + an average declara- tion of all the watches would fixed the time at twelve minutes till overalls and carefully bearing among thom 4 large oblong box, They jumpers holding his neighbor's arm in @ vice- Hed to his uncle: ‘heodore, It t# about to of judolph’s condition that had s0 or Iron made a Uttle ges- @sitated her on the aight she went With tone and to the Claremont accompanied by unchanged, he said to Wil- who were soun to follow, and ull eyes were it in @ fascination of horror, gut the Man of Iron was r is easily trighte would not have-been th effort while and, Van Vechten arose unimpassioned addressed his guests, ntlemen,” suid he, "some of our other hand, he qu ® not forgotten the occa- i here to-night as the confines of the vast room per- ones more at the ° wath’ wont with one hand. tri sion we are assembi in disregard of express in- to celebrate, stions, both search-lights were assured, which explored memorac with fingers of dazzling light every remarkable and fitting way’ inch of the river's surface for miles And much more to the same effect, was cleared in the “Gentlemen, enough willardite ver himself, command that this happy event in a mo: with one hand an end of the as he adted tying Mehtly at That you win, Then a space centre of diners were If you please, In the ensuing quie this utterance the box porters withdre Everybody eyed the innovation cu- dd a bit distrustfully, Loo, shall not take However, I have pared for any turn ten minutes sta between this moment and midnight “But, as briefly a to make it clear to you that Lam re- sponsible for brought you togeth perfected tim ate steel—the withstand the If my rights are t possibie, T want of indifferen f open wartar wand he was thrown them all into a panic, Palge but his word one ton resp the Max WI it was bot heuneed had resolved the difficulty in the A slow movement of Most practical manner, one hand swept back & lock of white hair from his forehead, and again and Tom had seen arrive at the he addressed Mr. Van Vechten, who Silent House Sunday tn a taxicab. the lid was n Vechten's impulsive movement of Theo- dore Van Vechten's was followed by for the stranger wan 80 aelf-possessed and determined that nobody doubted his dispassion- ate declaration, vious that he would do to the last ore exactly what usp of horror every one of the institutions to purchase an Atlan safe, whether they want it or not, the con cern's initial year has been a phenom- enally proaperous one. “You gentlemen who are fortunate is plunj fully pian ry moment when he Cnt ainask: SSS eratd ts ing of bow my daaghter and I bi been wronged, has not only bern in full aympethy with my plans, but has lout me an active, material support. “To a certain extent, however, I have taken an unfair advantage of ber trust and confidence. * * * But when [ Mr through, gentlemen, I want you to remember how desperate were my chances—that I had to sink i that f am right!" For the Grat time h time, until her suoh that I could ends in making this dema did not dream that she was to appear in such a role as thi He puluted to the motioniess form, and for @ moment regarded it tenderly. “But by the ald of a light, harmiess nar- cotic, the effects of which I can van- ish in a moment, | brought her here to play this unconscious part.” Theodore Van Vechten once more started toward the speaker, out a donen hands stayed him, ou dastardly cur!" he orled, “I | give you your pound of fire! but you'll regret thie night!" Heaven knows, I have eee the necessity,” responded Ward dryly. With one single undulating move- ment of bis powerful frame, the intl. lonatre shook himself free. | that dynamite out of here!’ | he roared. Max Willard quietly corrected him: “‘Willardite, you mean.” Mtoopin, over the back of the casket, he @ hand gently over the soft cushions while he seemed to consider, Pres- ently he continued: “But don't be afraid; there is no willardite here—nor any othor ex- plostve. |. Like’ stung lion, Theodore Van Vechten turned upon him. “What do you mean by that? ho demanded. “simply that I have wat in at your own mane—and won, The gre Amerh etty good at it years ago urd; I have not forgotten, “There Is no explosive here Jaw to be alarmed at save thi ularm-clock, re ia nothing the matter with Paige-—dear child! But" —he waved a hand—“as you blufted me out of w fortune, I have biuffed myrelf back in again,” Vor a moment the Man of tron seomed to be choking, But at this juncture » disturbance was heard in the hall, r A servant ontered hurriedly. Be- fore he could make any announce- ment he was flun sliding helplessly and everything movable in the prth n,” the qulet of his tornado-like progress, until he lowers the high "1 brought up against the wall Tom IMhinney wae standing just ty ~ aide the doorway, taking in the scene. Reside him stood Mr, Pint, CHAPTER XXII. we that The Kohinur Goes to Sea. orything that T was not long until all the loone ends were brought tomether. Jessie Willard's aunt, Mra, Devereaux, had heen the acting spirit in Retting the scheme for restitution under way because—until she had induced him to do so-—Max Willard fad been loath to accept his old friend Temple Bonner'’s assistance. In the beginning, the one thing r to all of them had been the fact that the Man of Iron was pro- tected by an invulnerable legal bar- obtained at all it must be accom. would catch the magnate amid such conditions that he could not refuse to cede. Thus it was that Josephine tles of sentiment and friendship, had easily enlisted Temple Bonner'a financial aid, This same lady had experienced ee sympathy—particularly after Paige had met and become acquaint- ed with Jessie, She had consented to lend Willard her moral support, believing that her participation in the “mysterious disappearance,” which Once Willard was supposed to utilize in more he glanced at his watch with an indifferent air and some indefinite mauner for his own purposes, The culminating bisarre climax, in which she had played so There was a sudden ery from one Conspicuous @ part, he bad kept to involuntary out himself, knowing that her willing co- operation could not be expected, Through Barnicle, Paige had kept in touch with her uncle and her cousin, and it was the valet'’s account Phil Merce: The intelligence that Paige had brought back to Jessie, already re- moraeful and anazious over her aban- Ais donment of Van Vechten to Calls, tain position and had drives Utude of readiness, ing clockwork ticked on. announced the Man Jessie had volunteered to return and the girl distracted. When Waige's purse was missed after the flight from Number 1313 recover it, If possible, as being the clockwork ceased Ike a period one least likely to attract attention Van Vechten oF to be in the table's had been annoying her with his at~ rfered with. Calils, who tention and whose headstrong, tic of the regurd Futhleas nature had all along beon 4 1 Of Tron wan suit source of anxiety and alarm to Wil- yersully held that Max Willard asked !ard, had followed her. ther assurance. of you in w The death of Jim O'Neil] and Tom Phinney's subsequent accidental in- trusion at Rocky Cove-whence the conspirators had fled—had finally had been the only one to keep her head, and she, after recognising Tom, It was Jessie whom Van Vechten The death of O'Neill was the first “Tor Mise Carew's sake," he said, of a paquenes, of accidents that two of explanativa necessary, This ces, with @ complete un jax Willard into hot water Tom had drawn Paige off to embrasure of one of the ie the with you?” the gtrl mare: ‘You not heed. His unnaturally bright and breathing heavily. “Listen!” he cautioned in a per. He could not anolvet hear what they are saying.” Joanie looked a trifle Frightened. yj e and the detective were coe ee the big Lables. He was ing in one hand a t 5 book, and ciking In "he @uiet way. 3 Paige, with her head close to bt ad peered thi ih the curt: heard Mr. Filnt say: ei “T am not often controlled by pulses, Mins Willard, but at the it Degen ee the occasion come when this would form interesting document,” be ‘What is it?” demanded Jeusie. ‘You frighten me.” ’ Mr. Flint cleared his throat, ‘If T have your permission F read you something,” said he; he fixed his attention upon the orandum book, and continued: more abaurd than te Imari thet al t the even en! pen —- ~ may be su e minal atmosphere, ashe in beautiful, she hy’ an gentle; the stamp of purity and you herence to right ideals is able in her countenance, comes of your invest Hons find to be unquall true all 1 now assert concerning her.’ ” He methodically closed the \. snapped the rubber band aroun it and returned it to his while Joaaie stared at him in ik amase- ment. “That.” Mr. Flint pursw crinkling in @ smile, “ es Rudolph Van Veeht time when I honestly I hadn't Mr. Vi H ten’s faith, I had er teen you, ae and Appearances were all againat you, might aay the odds were tr : ‘orrectness of Nia estimate—in whieh beraod { meant to show him these words, Jeanie wan breathing fast; her b *r4 were very bright and their regarg very ateudy. “and if you had + ana been wrong?” she we ereases at the corn . Flint’s even deepened, nee of Mh “Why, I felt that he would need a champion, and I determined to Bei the memorandum to you. Yeu now that from the very first at bation tn ther Taecence ce Sua yelief in the innocence « of 7ope male ye 1 two in the bay window could © the color rush to Jessie's A blushed furiously. ‘nn Have you," she said falteringly, bad sega such a thing.” The giri's eyes voice lowered. “Then,” said she, of telling me that all yor " Thank you.” . Here Van Vechten came eagerly and took the girl's hands into his, Flint slipped unobtrusively away. “Jeanie—Jessie Willard,” ‘sala Vechten, “we do not have to wait week; Lam more eager now than I understand everything, dearest,” Very deliberately she dise: her hands, looking at him desperately, “Truly?” she sald with an eva effort at sarcasm, “You L to be very sure of yourself.” He caught her hands again, and as her head drooped, drew her toward m. “Sure of myself!” he excl ‘Why, God bless my soul, i) 4 to you, girl... . Woat Tt was Paige Carew ccatatio bear-tike hug. Swinging ecstatic r-itke hug. clear from the floor and between ins, they stood confronting ded gaze of the other two, “Looky here, Ruddy,” said “Mr, Willard’s got a yacht on ha th. has no use for what- the matter with the four “The very thing!” Ven Veohten decisively interruy: looking intemt~ ly at Jessie willerd” Jessie L her gaze, and her eolor mount in. Uaten here,” Tom went on "She's all ready to put to m's up this minute—suppiies doard-—crew’s drawing pay for why, Moses and green tacteal 3 would be an outrage ‘ad to ¢ advantage of such an tunity! What do you think?’ Rigi What otherwise could Paige and Joanie think? Here was an argument that even a woman could not fully oppose, And ao, the next the Kohinur weighed anchor, down tho river, and lost the Statue of Liberty (The End.) GOING AWAY FOR THE week's reading! Have The Eve ning World sent to your sumte mer address.