Part 19 (2/2)
Jarney's home on business.
As he always dressed neatly and looked very tidy while on duty in the office, he deemed it advisable, on such an occasion, to don his best Sunday suit; for he did not know but that some fortuitous event might occur to take him into the presence of the young ladies, who had that day made such an impression on him. So in less than a half hour he was prepared to start, and in fifteen minutes more, so speedily did the taxicab travel with him inside, he was pulling at the ring in the bull's nose at the Jarney front door. He had noticed, on ascending the high front steps leading to the great piazza of the mansion, that people were moving about in the interior as if everybody and everything was in commotion; and this puzzled him. No sooner had he given the alarm, however, than the door flew open, and he saw a brazen man standing like a statue before him. It was evident that he was expected, for the flunkey, after receiving his card, pa.s.sed him in without ceremony, and without relieving him of his coat or hat.
He now saw, at a glance, that something out of the common had happened.
The maids and waiters were rus.h.i.+ng about excitedly, and Mr. Jarney was pacing the floor with nervous movements; and the little bouncing lady, all in pink, was ringing her hands and crying. On seeing John, Mr.
Jarney rushed up to him, with the tension gone from his nerves, and grasped him by the hand, saying:
”Mr. Winthrope, I am glad you have come--something has happened my daughter and Miss Barton. They have not been seen since leaving the office this afternoon.”
John gasped.
”What can I do to aid you, Mr. Jarney?” he asked. ”I am glad to be of any service my help will avail.”
”I do not know what has occurred to cause them to disappear so mysteriously,” answered Mr. Jarney. ”We must find them, if possible, this night.”
”Have you notified the police?” asked John, believing, like many people, that these hawkashaws of the law readily knew how to solve any kind of a mystery.
”I have already informed the police--miserable service we have--some two hours ago, and no tidings have they found,” he replied, as he again took up his nervous walk, leaving Mrs. Jarney to talk with John.
”No clue?” asked John.
”None whatever,” said Mr. Jarney, turning again to him.
”It is strange,” said John. ”Where is the chauffeur?”
”Why, that rascal was off his seat, and a stranger is supposed to have driven the car away,” replied Mr. Jarney. ”Beg your pardon, Mr.
Winthrope, in my distraction I have so far forgotten myself to fail to introduce you to Mrs. Jarney.” This formality being then dispensed with, although John had already struck up a conversation with that lady, Mr.
Jarney said. ”Mr. Winthrope, I have called you here to lead a searching party for their recovery.”
”Oh, Mr. Winthrope,” wailed the little lady; ”I hope you can find them this night.”
Just then a maid came rus.h.i.+ng in with the information that Mr. Jarney was expressly wanted at the telephone.
”It has been ringing all evening, and to no purpose,” said Mr. Jarney, impatiently; ”answer it.”
The maid retreated; but in a moment she returned again with the further information that a lady was at the other end of the line, and wanted especially to see Mr. Jarney, as the maid put it.
Mr. Jarney begged John to accompany him to the phone room of his residence, and, when the former took down the receiver, he made the following replies to the voice at the other end:
”h.e.l.lo! This is Mr. Jarney!”
”Yes; this is he.”
”Talk louder?”
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