Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-11-15


an officer appeared with a telegram in
his hand. This the major eagerly took,
and, noting that it was in cipher, read
it by means Of the code he carried in
his pocket. Translated, it ran thus:
"Result Of open inquiry in Denver:
'"Three brothers Pfeider, all well
thought of, but plain in their ways and
eccentric. One doing business in Den
yer; died June, '97. One persisted in
Klondike, October, same year; and
one, by name Wallace, died suddenly
three months since in Washington.
Nothing further gained by secret in
quiry in this place"
Result of open inquiry in Owosso:
"a man named Pfeiffer kept store
in Owosso during the time v. NJ. at
tended school there. He was one Of
three brothers, home Denver, name
Wallace. Simultaneously with v. Ms
leaving school P. broke up business
and at instigation of his brother VIII
liam, who accompanied him, went to
the Klondike. No especial relation be-
tween lady and this same P. ever not
C0s M. OllCt ucdlO " lduSu ulS
awkward ways"
Result Of secret inquiry in Owosso:
'V. M. very intimate with schoolmate
who has since died. Often rode to-
gether; once gone long time. This
was just before v. NJ. left school for
good. Date same as that on which
marriage occurred in town twenty
miles distant. Bride, Antoinette Moore;
groom, w. Pfeiffer of Denver; witness,
young girl with red hair. Schoolmate
had red hair. Had v. NJ. middle In
itial, and was that initial Az"
We all looked at each other. This
last question was one none of us could
answer.
"Go for Mr.. jeffrey at once" ordered
the major, "and let another one of you
bring Miss futile. No word to either
Of what has occurred and no hint of
their possible meeting here"
It fell to me to fetch Miss futile. I
was glad Of this, as 1t gave me few
minutes by myself in which to COM
pose my mind and adjust my thoughts
to the new conditions opened up by
the amazing facts which had just come
to light. But beyond the fact that Mrs.
Jeffrey had been answerable for the
death which had occurred in the libra
ry at the time Of her marriage-that, in
the words of the district attorney, she
had come to her husband with blood on
her hands-my thoughts would not go.
Confusion followed the least attempt
to settle the vital question of how far
Miss futile and Mr.. jeffrey had been
involved in the earlier crime and what
the coming interview with these two
would add to our present knowledge.
In my anxiety to have this question an
swered fastened my steps and was
soon at the door Of Miss Tuttle's pres
ent dwelling place.
doubt If she noticed my agitation.
She was too much swayed by her own.
Advancing upon me in all the uncon-
scious pride of. her great beauty, she
TREMENDOUSLY remarked:
''You have message for me. Is 1t
from headquarters, or has the district
attorney still more questions to askT'
II have much more trying errand
than that" I fastened to say, with
some idea of preparing her for an ex-
perience that could not fail to be one
Of exceptional trial. "For reasons
which will be explained to you by
those in greater authority than myself
you are wanted at the house where
where could not help stammering
under the light Of her melancholy eyes
-"where I saw you once BEFORE" /
lamely concluded.
"The house in Waverley avenue?'
she objected wildly, with the first signs
of positive terror had ever beheld in
her.
nodded, dropping my eyes. What
call had to penetrate the conscience OF
this woman?
"Are they there-all there" she pres.
emily asked again. 'The police and
and Mr.. Jeffrey?"
Madam" I respectfully protested,
my duty is limited to conducting you
to the place named. A carriage is wait.
ing. May beg that you will prepare
yourself to go at once to Waverley ave.
| nue?"
For answer she subjected me to q
long and earnest look which ! found II
impossible to evade. Then she hasten.
ed from the room, but with very un.
steady steps.
When she returned ready for her ride
this change in her spirits was less OBJ
servable, and by the time we had
reached the house in Waverley avenue
she had SO far regained her old courage
as to move and speak with the calm
ness Of despair If not Of mental seren-
ity.
The major was awaiting us at the
door and bowed gravely before her
heavily yelled figure.
Miss Tuttle," he asked, without any
preamble, the moment she was well in.
side the house, may inquire Of you
here, and before show you what will
excuse us for subjecting you to the dis.
tress of entering these doors, whether
fsns sister, Mrs.. J9srszL Asa any othe.