The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-11
CHAPTER XII.


CHAPTER XII.
u sometimes happens that the solu-
tion Of a problem occurs 10 the mind
when IL is not actively engaged in
ponderiug upon it. Whether this is the
result of a subconscious process Of
reasoning that is not needed by the per
son Interested in the AFFAIR, or a flash
of inspiration that is equally ineXpl.ca-
bic. is a question for psychologists TO
answer. but II is a phenomenon OF
frequent occurrence aud often the sub
ject of comment.
Robert Singleton had spent weeks in
determined effort 10 explain TO his own
satisfaction the mysterious conduct OF
the distributor OF Black Arrow envelopes
That there was some good reason for
such remarkable methods he felt no
doubt At the time of the first attempt
TO rob Miss Alexander be had suspected
that some connection existed between
that attempt ana the trailing Of false
clues. but he could not understand the
connection. since the attack upon her
on the night he was wounded, he had
not given much thought 70 the matter.
lie had been too weak TO think connect
edly ard the effort weayied him.
One morning, without any conscious
ness Of mental effort, the explanation
stood bt fore his eyes so clearly that he
was startled at his extreme denseness
in rot seeing IL sooner He lay back
upon the couch 10 which he had been
removed by permission OF the physician
aud reveled IN his discovery. Now that
he had the key 10 the puzzle II was an
easy matter TO reflect upon the many
Httle incidents that had been unac-
countable and see motive FOR all o.
them.
lie was putting the happenings OF the
past few weeks into regular order and
applying his explanation 20 them when
Miss Alexander came into the room As
she spoke 20 him he noticed q slender
gold chain about her throat and found
a confirmation az MS conviction II
was necessary 20 the line OF arguments
ne had built up that the girl should have
some object about her person OF sufh-
cient value for one reason or another
10 cause a desperate man to take the
chances her assallaut had TO secure the
prize
Would YOU mind tellihg me what that
ornament is YOU are wearing aboUt your
neck?" he asked.
Certainly not replied the girl 1T
is a gold locket. But why do you
ask"
Because Il explains something 10 me
that have never been able 10 under
stand" said Singleton. Unless l. am
very much mistaken you always wear
t."
why. how did YOU know THAR she
asked with surprise.
Merely a guess" said Singleton. But
am going TO state some facts, and
want YOU TO correct me II 1 get them
wrong. In the nrst place. that locket
was either given you by your grand
father, or he knew that you always wore
II. Secondly. you do not remove il when
YOU retire, bat wear II constantly. and
never allow Il 10 go out OF your pos
session AS a third guess / should say
that your cousin has mentioned the
locket to you more than once. and has
probably tried 20 get it into his posses
sion on some ground or another Am 4
right?"
Absolutely" said Miss Alexander.
How do you know all that2 Did mother
tell YOU or are you a wizard?
.sNo 10 both questions said Singleton.
but what / say Is along the lines Of q
theory that / have formed II ] had
been wrong in any one detail my whole
hypothesis would have fallen down, and
/ would have been very much dlsappolnt-
ed AS Il S. unless 1 am very much
mistaken. / can soon ten you where
your grandfather's money is concealed.
Moreover. I can also tell you that II Is
stin where he placed a. There has been
no robbery 50 Tar,
There s. one more question and re-
0uest. Are you willing 10 let me exam
Inc the locket2 II you are. I wish you
would remove Il so nat can look az Il
very closely
The girl removed the chain and locket
from her neck and handed Il 20 him.
lie examined It intently. but found 30
spring that would open IL. Still he had
expected that there was some secret
fastening that would escape casual OBJ
aervation, and went over II carefully
20 disclose the secret. After repeated
failures he thought OF the little hook
that connected IL with the chain. To
his great satisfaction he succeeded In
unscrewing IL. and in the center OF the
tiny rod he found a smaller rod which
gave way beneath the pressure OF his
finger, and the lOcket sprung open dis
closing a folded paper that was very
thin end just lifted into the cavity. He
unfolded the paper and read Il abound.
GO 30 the library OF the House m
Washington" Il said. "and count 20
the NTH compartment OF the book
shelves along the walls 10 the left or the
entrance from the dining-room. Near