Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-02-26

question: said he, II think he would
never come to trial. By the way,
am pleased to learn that Miss Miller
is doing well this morning."
Alden tapped his broken chair as IL
1t had represented the individual to
whom Elmendorf had vaguely referred.
THAT doesn't let him out, however,"
he said. But tell me what l can do
for you"
"Did you have some dealings at one
time with firm Of the name of How
ard s. Bain?"
81 believe did," replied Alden.
"They failed and skipped"
"Have you any documents bearing
the firms signature by either partnerT"
asked Elmendorf.
Yes; have one" said Alden, "but
don't know just where it Is. I'll look
through my desk. John"-addressing
Robinson, who sat in his usual place
do you know where that contract is?"
Robinson replied in the negative, and
Alden pulled out the contents of some
drawers and pigeonholes In q vain
search. Finally he came to one little
drawer which Mr.. Elmendorf had once
opened.
Here's the contract" he said, "and-
Hello, here's something Of yours,
John"
And he tossed an envelope across to
Robinson's desk. Robinson glanced at
it hastily and put it into his pocket.
Elmendorf appeared to be busy with
the old contract which Alden had
handed to him, and. having received
permission to keep it for few days,
he put the useless document into his
pocket.
Jack" said Alden, will you ask
Mr.. Willett to come in here?"
Willett was the firms accountant.
Robinson walked toward the door. and
as he did SO Elmendorf half rose from
his chair and then sat down again.
The accountant presently appeared.
He received some memoranda from Al
den and went out again. There was
an interval of silence, while Elmendorf
devoted himself to the enjoyment Of q
large cigar and Alden jotted down fig
ures on slip of paper.
"Wonder what's become of Robin
son." said Alden at last.
The detective offered no opinion
upon ,!his point, and Alden stepped to
the door and glanced into the large
room. Elmendorf heard some one say
in response to question that Robin
son had gone out. Alden seemed an
noyed as he returned to his desk,
where he hastily wrote note to Rob-
inson.
Now" he said. "I'm going up
town"
"St. winifred's?" queried Elmen-
dorf.
81 shall call there about O'clock"
eff you'll go over to the Aston House
with me-" said Elmendorf, "and wait
about three minutes while transact
little business. Ill go up with you,
and we can talk on the way. There
are few questions that I'd like to
ask after I've Strengthened them out
In my own mind bit"
Alden saw no objection to this ar
rangement, and so they walked over
to the old hotel together. Elmendorf
glanced at his watch as they entered
and then approached the attendant in
charge of the telephone booths in the
hall.
"There will be call for Mr.. Elmen-
dorf from Philadelphia in about a
minute" he said. II am the man."
The call came within the interval
stated, and Elmendorf entered the
booth, where he gave the customary
greeting, which was returned in q fa-
miliar voice.
i've got track of your man over
here" said the voice. "R. appears to
be his real name; didn't suppose it
was. He was in trouble over here a
little more than year ago and had to
get out of town; borrowed some
money on bogus security" And the
voice furnished few details of the
transaction. HE has been trying to
straighten it out lately and is not In
danger of arrest here; has been over
several times. There are rumors that
he got into similar trouble in Wash
ington. but I'm not down to that yet.
One man who knows him here thinks
he had letters from girl named Mil
Ter; doesn't know whether she was
on the stage or anything about her, in
fact; isn't even sure of the name, but
I'm going to get more information
about that. AS to other inquiries,
nothing as vet, but will write you this
evening"
"All right" responded Elmendorf.
"Hustle, old man. This thing is get
ting pretty ripe over here. And, re-
member, this is personal business; 1t
isn't official. l may want to cover the
whole matter up"
1.-THE man is no good. l guess" said
the voice.
81 don't care anything about the
man." rejoined Elmendorf, "or the
other one either. It's the girl I'm
interested in. Nothing is too good for
her or ever was, and If the worst
comes want to be in a position to
wiring somebody's neck and wiring II
hard. I don't know whose it will be
yet. How about the records?"
Nothing in sight"
"Well, there must be somewhere. Mr.
Tantalus has got to be accounted for
Much obliged to you. Goodby."
Elmendorf rejoined Alden, who in the
meantime had engaged hanson.
"Your secretary, Robinson, seems tc
be handy man." said Elmendorf after
some desultory conversation.
"He's very obllging," replied Alden.
Perfectly honest, l SUPPOSED"
"Never knew anything to the contra
ry," said Alden. HE doesn't handle
any money"
"He handled $500 the other day.
suggested Elmendorf.
"But he didn't know it." replied al
den. 81 don't mean to imply anything
against Robinson, but know very lit
tie about him, and never trust a maj
any further than know him. I nevel
trust man with money unless know
the money side Of him. 1t is possible
to be good, straight fellow about ev