The Holladay Case

shing Dis

sively, and remained for a moment speechless u

e before, and I need you now. This touches me so closely

den weakness-an appeal there was no resisting, even

eart, seeing how overwrought he was. "I'll he

s chair again, and b

said. "Get the story fr

r, and sat down

t many years, haven't you, Mr. Thompson?" I as

years, sir-nearly f

Holladay's

Holladay bought the Fifth Avenue house he lived in ever

were very happy together, w

l her death. They seemed just made for each other, sir," and

discredit the theory that Holladay had ever had a liaison

added, "you understand, Thompson, that I'm not asking these questions fr

"No, there was nothing to mar th

hat wa

fteen years and more. After Miss France

s born

ance. I don't ju

w the date o

June, eighteen seventy-si

as with his wif

few months later, but Mrs. Holladay stayed on. She didn't get strong again, some way. She stayed nearly four years, and he went over every few mont

thought a grea

she took his wife's place

ught a great

always spent their evenings together. She didn't care much for society-I've often heard her tell him that she'd much rather

with what I had always heard about the famil

his wife were only children; their pare

intimate

Frances had some school friends, bu

d, "tell me, as fully as you can, what h

a sudden, and sent us all away to get Belair ready. I got the place in order, sir, and telegraphed her that we were ready. She answered that she'd come in a few days. Ten days ago the rest of the servants came, and I looked for her every day, but she didn't come. I telegraphed her again, but she didn't answer, and, finally

n gone ten days

ys; yes

ementia recurred to me, and I was more than ever inclined to credit it. How else exp

"we'll go with you to the house, and see the man in

om some neighboring stable, as the family coachman had been sent away with the other servants. They had driven down the avenue toward Thirty-fourth Street, where, he supposed, they were going to th

help," and I picked up a photograph from

zed at it for a moment-at the dark eyes, the

will really help; we must us

have to," I assured him; "and when

ssented, and I pu

went away, after warning the two men to say not a wo

r. Had she ordered it herself from a stable in some distant portion of the city for the purpose of concealing her whereabouts, or had it been ordered for her by her maid, and was she really the victim of foul play? I put this question to Mr. Royce, but h

lated to him the circumstances of our search, and submitted t

s following her. It may be difficult to prove that she has not gone away entirely of her own accord. She certainly has a

apping his desk with that deep line of perplexity

ould act as she has done. She had no reason whatever for deceiving us-for running away. We wouldn't have interfered

sted, "so much as undue influence-o

that influence," rejoined Mr. Graham, "

we offe

won't be offended when she comes to herself. T

in no immediate danger of any kind, I rather doubt whether it would be wise to

to find her? I recognize, of course, how undesirable it is that she sh

and saw that he was se

began hesitatingly, "I might be able to find some trace of he

ightened up

said. "Let Leste

ree to that. Of course, any expenses yo

'll begin at once then. I should like assistance in one thing. Could you let me have three or four

antly. "I'll call them in, and we can

had ordered a carriage on the morning of Thursday, April 3d. They were to report at the office every day, noon and evening, until the s

l, sir!" I cried

of his chair. We sprang to him and led him to a couch. I bathed his hands and face in cold water, while

rselves too hard. It's a wonder to me you don't all drop ove

er in a few moments, and began talking incoherently to himself. We got him down to the do

hing him for a while. "I'll get a couple of nurses, and we'll

e all in Ohio. Had th

e. He seems to be naturally strong. I su

s been greatly worrie

e had sense enough to stop worrying, ther

n into the case," I said. "He kno

glad to consult wi

of course, the cause of Mr. Royce's breakdown, and turned to me when

me rest. Put this case out of your mind, or you'll be righ

disappearance; he pondered ove

ia," he said. "Sudden aversion to relatives and friends is on

ed him, with perhaps a little mo

home and sleep for ten hours-twelve, if you can. Mind, no work before

aph office. There I sent an imperative message to Brooks, the Holladay coachman, telling him to return to New York by

t proved too great for her? Or had she merely fallen under the influence of the woman who was guilty? Supposing she was insane, what should we do with her when we found her? How could we control he

river, jumping down from his s

e no doubt he was grinning behind me. As I fumbled w

d Martigny's voice. "What is it

st dead tired," and I sta

m and helped me up; then went on ahead

id, as I dropp

, and, weary as I was, I was co

is morning," I remarked, uncons

had closed my eyes again, and I was t

voice a little hoars

's disap

mea

away," I said, w

has infor

found it out. She's

for her?" he questioned car

begin in t

was a mome

with a curious

eft me to tumble in