The Mystery of Mary | Page 8

time for certain matters to be
looked up, and these she left behind her. The hat is covered with long,
handsome plumes of the color of rich cream in coffee."
Young Dunham glanced down at the cloth of the girl's gown, and was
startled to find the same rich creamy-coffee tint in its silky folds; yet
she did not show by so much as a flicker of an eyelash that she was
passing under the keenest inspection. She toyed with the salted
almonds beside her plate and held the heavy silver fork as firmly as if
she were talking about the discovery of the north pole. Her voice was
steady and natural as she asked, "How could she disappear?"
"Well, that is more than I can understand. There were three doors in the
room where she sat, one opening into the inner office where I was at
work, and two opening into a hall, one on the side and the other on the
end opposite the freight elevator. We searched the entire building
without finding a clew, and I am deeply troubled."
"Why should she want to disappear?" The question was asked coolly
and with as much interest as a stranger would be likely to show.
"I cannot imagine," said the old man speculatively. "She apparently had
health and happiness, if one may judge from her appearance, and she
came to me of her own free will on a matter of business. Immediately
after her disappearance, two well-dressed men entered my office and
inquired for her. One had an intellectual head, but looked hard and

cruel; the other was very handsome--and disagreeable. When he could
not find the young lady, he laid claim to her hat, but I had it locked
away. How could I know that man was her friend or her relative? I
intend to keep that hat until the young woman herself claims it. I have
not had anything happen that has so upset me in years."
"You don't think any harm has come to her?" questioned the girl.
"I cannot think what harm could, and yet--it is very strange. She was
about the age of my dear daughter when she died, and I cannot get her
out of my mind. When you first appeared in the doorway you gave me
quite a start. I thought you were she. If I can find any trace of her, I
mean to investigate this matter. I have a feeling that that girl needs a
friend."
"I am sure she would be very happy to have a friend like you," said the
girl, and there was something in the eyes that were raised to his that
made the Judge's heart glow with admiration.
"Thank you," said he warmly. "That is most kind of you. But perhaps
she has found a better friend by this time. I hope so."
"Or one as kind," she suggested in a low voice.
The conversation then became general, and the girl did not look up for
several seconds; but the young man on her right, who had not missed a
word of the previous tête-à-tête, could not give attention to the story
Mrs. Blackwell was telling, for pondering what he had heard.
The ladies now left the table, and though this was the time that Dunham
had counted upon for an acquaintance with the great judge who might
hold a future career in his power, he could not but wish that he might
follow them to the other room. He felt entire confidence in his new
friend's ability to play her part to the end, but he wanted to watch her,
to study her and understand her, if perchance he might solve the
mystery that was ever growing more intense about her.
As she left the room, his eyes followed her. His hostess, in passing

behind his chair, had whispered:
"I don't wonder you feel so about her. She is lovely. But please don't
begrudge her to us for a few minutes. I promise you that you shall have
your innings afterwards."
Then, without any warning and utterly against his will, this young man
of much experience and self-control blushed furiously, and was glad
enough when the door closed behind Mrs. Bowman.
Miss Remington walked into the drawing-room with a steady step, but
with a rapidly beating heart. Her real ordeal had now come. She cast
about in her mind for subjects of conversation which should forestall
unsafe topics, and intuitively sought the protection of the Judge's wife.
But immediately she saw her hostess making straight for the little
Chippendale chair beside her.
"My dear, it is too lovely," she began. "So opportune! Do tell me how
long you have known Tryon?"
The girl caught her breath and gathered her wits together. She looked
up shyly into