The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1902-03-03
EQUAL e
PARTNERS
BY HOWARD FIELDING
Copyright, 1901, by Charles W. Hooke.

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| Upon receiving his orders In regard
to Robinson the detective went down
town to the building in which Alden's
Offices were situated. He took up an
fnconspicuous position near by and
| after half an hour of waiting had the
pleasure Of Wishing Mr.. Robinson good
| morning upon the sidewalk at point
about one hundred feet from the build
ing. This was unfortunate for Captain
Neaie's man. Barnes, who was waiting
in the doorway.
Elmendorf made no secret of his
identity or of his errand, and Robinson
seemed quite nndisturbed.
II was pretty badly upset yesterday
afternoon" he said. at was all so sud-
den and shocking. OF course l had no
special interest In Miss Miller. Proba-
bly, haven't seen her more than three
or four times in my life. But to think
that this should have happened so soon
after had left her! tell you 1t gave
me turn. didn't feel much like he
ing alone, so went to see fellow
whom | know and spent the night in
his rooms. How is Miss Miller this
morning"
Elmcndorf replied that his advices
were altogether favorable, and little
more was said until they had entered
Alden's private Office, in which Robin
son had desk.
II thought you knew Miss Miller
quite WELL" said Elmendorf, taking a
chair. "You spoke of her by her first
name yesterday"
Did II" said Robinson, opening his
eyes wide. well, might have said
almost anything yesterday. was
nervous, and that's a fact"
"How did it happen that you took
the note?"
''Why, Mr.. Alden was going to ring
for a messenger boy" was the reply,
"and then he mentioned that there
was money in the note and asked me
about one of our own boys, who hap
pencd to be out at the time. So said
Ia take the note. | wanted to 60 up
" my ipOil, anu ~ oily IL llkllC way
from where Miss Miller lived hadn't
anything particular to do at the time"
"What did you want to 80 to your
room for?"
ITO get a letter had left there" re.
piled Robinson. Nothing of any great
Importance"
Game for you in the morning, sup
pose, and You forgot to bring it down.
said Elmcndorf, with the air of one
who hastens to dismiss subject.
eyes; that was it."
Odd you get it:'
"Why, certainly"
"Whcre is it now?" demanded the dc.
tcctvc.
Robinson's forehead began to per-
sprc.
II destroyed it." he said.
"Who wrote it,"
"Nhy, what has that to do WITH
who wrote it?" said Elmendorf,
tapni;,.: on the floor with his cane.
"Fellow over in Philadelphia" re,
piled Robinson, but don't see
Give me his name and address,
said the detective, taking out ncte
book and pencil.
This is private business" rejoinod
Robinson, hopping his face. ut has
nothing to do with this affair"
"My dear sir" said Elmendorf, "in
case Of this kind, when man begins
to lie, It's always important. happen
to know that you haven't had letter
come to that house since you've been
living there, SO you didn't go up town
TO get one. In my opinion, you wenl
up because you wanted to see Miss |
Miller. Isn't that fact"
"Iou put me in mighty bad place.
replied Robinson. Suppose l say that |
did, how would that strike Mr.. AL
denY" |
at won't strike him at ALL" said FL.
mcndorf. because l shan't tell him
! don't mean to intimate that you haG
anything particular to say to Miss Mil
Ter. But you'd seen her, you knew she
was very pretty and agreeable girl