Why did he stop? I had merely looked at him. But he did stop, and that is saying considerable for a reporter from the New York World.
"I certainly am willing to tell you what I have told every one else," I interposed, considering it better not to make an enemy of so judicious a young man; and seeing him brighten up at this, I thereupon related all I considered desirable for the general public to know.
I was about passing on, when, reflecting that one good turn deserves another, I paused and asked him if he thought they would leave the dead girl in that house all night.
He answered that he did not think they would. That a telegram had been sent some time before to young Mr. Van Burnam, and that they were only awaiting his arrival to remove her.
"Do you mean Howard?" I asked.
"Is he the elder one?"
"No."
"It is the elder one they have summoned; the one who has been staying at Long Branch."
"How can they expect him then so soon?"
"Because he is in the city. It seems the old gentleman is going to return on the New York, and as she is due here to-day, Franklin Van Burnam has come to New York to meet him."