The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-11-20

murderer, and may the blessed Virgin
have mercy on him when ! do-for /
will have none"
Joel Wilcox promised that he would
leave no stone unturncd, but as Reg
mans trial was to come off in about ten
days he must go to San Francisco and
interview the brokers. SO as to find out
all he could about Vclasauezs recent
actions.
THAT Is the clew | must follow" he
said to the widow. I'm the meantime,
you, Of course. will keep your eyes
and ears open to all that transpires in
this immediate neighborhood."
Such was the compact which Joel
Wilcox and the widow of Delaro en-
tered into that night, and through
many weary years Of mingled hopes
and disappointment. they kept the one
aim in constant view.
The next morning Joel Wilcox
started for San Francisco, to learn what
he could about the money which Nelas-
qnez had raised on the note.
For this purpose he called at the Of
fee of Crandall & Co. investment
brokers. Delaro had often told him
that he was in the habit OF doing a lit
tie specializing occasionally through
this house, Velasquez invariably con-
Quoting the deals.
So Wilcox naturally thought this
would be good starting point
TN entering the office, he inquired for
Mr.. Crandall, and was ushered into the
gentlcman's private room.
As soon as Mr.. Crandall heard the
name of his caller he pricked up his
ears and was Immediately prepared to
| act as obsequiously as an obsequious
man possibly could, under such circum-
stances.
For Joel Wilcox was q well-known
| man in Frisco. his enormous wealth
being matter Of public gossip. and
the little lynx-eyed broker thought he
was in for good stroke OF business, he
OF course surmising that the millionaire
was on the lookout for an investment.
In this. as we know, he was doomed
to disappointment. The broker foresaw
what was coming when Mr.. Wilcox
/ asked:
do you know il Leon Velasquez is Il
town. Mr.. Crandall?' Now, ths
broker and Velasquez were blossom
cronies," having worked many quie
and sometimes shady deals together
Still. the broker was by far tn,
shrewder OF the two men, and Will,
Velasquez brought the lambs to tn,
slaughter Crandall managed to catch
most OF the blood. Therefore, whel
this question was suddenly sprung upol
him he was decidedly surprised, but a
the same time was too old in the bust
ness to betray any undue agitation.
''Mr. Velasquez. Alb, yes, remembe
him now: the gentleman from San Pao
lap he said, with assumed Indifference
but why do you come here in search 0
| that gentleman, Mr.. Wilcox; it is hardl,
| probable that l should be aware OF th,
fact even If he did happen to be in town
His calls here are exceedingly few an
far between, like angels visits. as
were, If | may be permitted to max
use OF such an old and familiar expires
sion"
"What lie," thought his clerk,
young Englishman) who had withou
intention left the door ajar when h
ushered Mr.. Wilcox into the privat
room, and thus heard the remarks as b
sat at his desk in the public Office.
"Wcll," said Mr.. Wilcox, Il hay
been informed that he had good man
business transactions with you and tn:
this would be likely place to find him.
YES" the little broker Responded
"Mr. Velasquez certainly did have som
business to transact with me but h
visits here were always of the mo-
formal nature. and we were not on sue
terms that could be supposed to kno
much of his movements while in tn
city" The clerk outside had becom
interested by this time and mental
CALCULATED: What a liar."
II am not the sort of man to bea
around the bush, and may as we'll |
plain with YOU" said Mr. Wilco,
You have OF course. heard OF m
friend Mario Delaro's murder near h
own wine cellars on tho night
the twenty-irst OF last month?
"Yes, l did hear Of the sad occu
ance," was tho reioinder. Joel Wilco
continued: THE week before that mu
der Mr.. Delaro told me OF deal b
made with you, though Velasauez.
! some mining stock that paid big. an
J I'm here as representative OF Deiaro
| widow to know II the matter has CIV.
! boon fixed up"
IA "Yes, believe II has" rspiis