Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-11-28

Il am glad he is headed for New
Orleans" said Chalmers. 1--WE cal
use him there. Now, tell you wha
we will do: Your Wall street me,
have found out nothing. You motto
l was right about the books O
Street & Rogers. An examinatio,
was made to-day, and it PANIED GU
just as 1 predicted. The account il
in the name Of the firm. am goin.
to break into Hestor's desk to-niph
and see if I can learn anything. 1
his check books are there they ma,
prove something. 1t is hardly ikel,
that they are. What was about tc
say is this: "You find out if any lum
Der went aboard the Shark In th,
meantime have your men interview
every contractor, builder and archi
,tect in New York and see if any
work has been done for Hestor in the
last two years."
"That is great scheme!" sale
Stevens.
"Send men to Boston and Philadel
Phia on like mission. I will wire
Seymour at New Orleans and hay.
him do the same thing there. send
four or five men to New Orleans and
Galveston tonight. Instruct then
to interview every man who may hav,
had anything to do with building /,
residence of any kind for Walter B
Hestor. Swear them to absolute Sc
crecy. 1 am going to have an in
terview with Miss Olive Hammond
tonight, at the Carmody residence"
"Where does Sidney Hammond
come in in this case?" asked Ste
vens. HE is supposed to have SAILED
with Hcstor."
i do not know. I am going TO try
and find out" said Chalmers. ct
looks as if he was mixed up in it,
too. l hope not. Sidney is too good
a fellow"
Later in the evening Mr.. Chalmers
was at the Carmody mansion. Dur.
ing the day he had arranged with
Miss Carmody to invite Miss Olive
hammond to spend the evening at
her house.
Miss Carmody," said Chalmers,
after the formal greetings were
made, NJ know you will excuse my
apparent freedom, but 1 have some
news of great Importance, which I
am going to tell you and Miss Ham
mond. We should have room where
we cannot be interrupted or over
heard"
Miss Carmody rang for Smith.
Unlock Mr., Carmody's private of
ice," she said. aPut it in order and
BRING Mr.. Chalmers some cigars. /
Know he smokes.'
Mr.. Chalmers bowed his thanks.
they were soon seated in Mr.. Car
nody's library and private office.
which taste could dictate or
money furnish was lacking in this
'oom. Chalmers took the big easy
office chair, while the young ladies
'ormed charming picture on
near by divan.
Miss Hamgnmond, the news I have
ashEtaiued Indirectly concerns your
brother Sidney" said Chalmers.
Miss Olive Hammond grew pale, and
uttered a half-eNclamation, UYoa
iced not be in the least alarmed,
hArp No reason to believe he is in
my degree to blame in this affair,
am going TO relate the whole
story, as far as know it, and you
nay be able to throw new light on
The mystery"
For half IN hour Chalmers ex-
planned the circumstances which had
ed him to suspect Hestor. AS he
.alked the two girls clasped hands.
Tears glistened in Miss Hammonda
Eyes when Chalmers told or the in,
,tEnctions 'Hestor had left that a no.
ice should be inserted in the Record,
stating that Sidney Hammond would
accompany him on a trip to the Med
terranean.
AS he said this Miss Carmady re,
eased Olive Hammond's hand and
nstinctively drew away from her.
Jlive burst into tears.
.'sidney never could do such a
hing! Oh, there is a cruel mistake
someWhere!" she sobbed. "Sidney is
the soul Of honor. Oh, my brother,
my noble, honest brother; why are
you not here to defend yourself?"
Miss Helen threw her arms around
the weeping girl. Chalmers did not
snow what to say. His story had
been cut off at it's sensational point.
He stammered an apology.
''He is not guilty. I am sure he
IS not guilty." exclaimed Miss Car
mody. Her eyes flashed as she
looked at Chalmers.
81 have said that I did not believe
him guilty." said that gentleman,
himself. "You young Ia
lies jump at a conclusion too quick
y. 1t is probable that Mr.. Hammond
vas the victim Of plot like the 9th
srs."
"Why, Sidney did not know he was
going until few hours before the
yacht sailed for Europe" said Miss
Olive. She had regained !, her self
possession. "He sent me telegram
just before he went away, saying
that he was obliged TO take sud-
len trip to Europe with Mr.. Hestor.
When he left home in the morning
lie did not know thing about it.
We had planned to go to the theater
On the following evening, and he had
SECURED the tickets. So how could
ne have known anything about it?
Sidney tells me everything"
"That Is splendid news" said Chal-
mers, his face lighting up with pleas