CHAPTER Xll.—(Continued.) .Applebee was scarcely awake on Tuesday morning when the following telegram was placed in hi 3 hands : • Hartfokd, Conn., 6 a.m. Important! Meet me at headquarters at 11. p White.' • Doos he brinj Stella North with him? , was tho grave questions that persisted in j Appleboe's mind during tho intervening time. 'If so, lam confident that wo are nearing tho end of this perplexing case,' He communicated his anxiety to the chief inspector, and both men waited with im patience the coming of the man who had jrone in quesb of tho mystorioua fugitive. Alas for b.'ioir hopes! Inspector White was quite alone. The three men were closeted together as soon as he arrived. 'Not a trace of her t exclaimed Appleboe impatiently. ' Slipped through my fingers like a fish !' paid White. * Circumstances very peculiar. Whole thing myetorious ; more than mys terious —suspicions.' 4 How do you mean ?' White placed his hand impressively on Applebee's shoulder, and though the door was shut, spoke in alniosS a whisper : ' I tell you, man, It is one of two things. That girl's either made away with herself or she's had help to escape.' 'It's likely enough that she had help to escape,'observed the chief. 'But I know of no good reason why she should go out side of the State of Massachusetts for the purpose of committing suicide.' ' Wait) till you have heard me,' said White eagerly. • Observe tho facts care fully. J traced this cirl to the Albany depot, and through the hackman, who bought her ticket to Hartford, was able to go direct to her stopping-place. There I expected trouble. Not a bit of it. Every body knew about her. Why? Well, I'll tell you why. Somebody had got.ahead of us ; that's all, A blackhaired young man about thirty yeare of age, who wrote his name William C. Waterston, had been up in the morning making inquiries all over the place, representing her as insane.' 'Evidently an assumed name,' muttered Applebee apprehensively. ' Couldn't you get a full description ?' ' You may be sure I did, even to the cut of hia shoes. But wait a bit. I haven't got to the end. This young man hired a carriage at East Hartford and started out upon the road in chase of the girl. 