Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-12-30

Of Fetridges clerk, and hearing that
Olsen had a predecessor who had been
discharged for taking too much interest
in his employers affairs he hunted up
that man. with what degree OF reward
will be hereafter recorded.
He soon discovered that Mr.. Fetridge
had ceased to take active interest in
legal work, that be had but few clients,
and that his chief business now seemed
10 be to look after the investments OF
his large property. John Lamm made
arrangements 70 be accurately informed
from day 10 day OF a full list OF the
milliOnaire's Office visitors, especially
Of those whom he took into his inner
sanctum. and whose business with him
appeared TO be confidential.
II was in this way that he first became
informed OF the existence OF Mime. Ray
mond.
Here is the report furnished by Rich
ard Fetridge's clerk, Olsen, late in the
afternoon OF Thursday;
About three o'clock a mighty pretty
woman, whose complexion had evil
IDENTITY been toned mp by artificial ex-
pedients, asked ia a tone or authority,
II Mr.. Fetridge was In. said No. but
she might expect him In a few minutes.
Would she sit down and waltz She
would. She drew her chair up near
the window. and looked out all the time
It struck me she was careful not to turn
round when anybody came in. I may
, be wrong. but It occurred to me that she
did this SO as not TO let her face be
seen by any chance visitor.
1T was something like 30 minutes
before the boss appeared. As soon as
she heard his voice she turned round.
The boss gave a start why. Nine.
Raymond be said. and surprised
enough he was. But he hurried her
toward his private Office. saying some
thing in a low tone. and looking over
in my direction. But you may believe
I was adding up a column of figures just
At that time.
We'll, the two were closeted an hour
together. and then the woman came
out Always the politest of mea is
my boss when good-lookiRg face is
about He danced attendance on her.
and heard him say. as he took her hand
at the door:
Have no anxiety, my dear madam.
Everything is being carefully looked
after. Trust me 20 see that all comes
out right
And that was the last I saw or the
woman"
Mr.. Lamm, with ali his eagerness to
get at the case only intensified by
these incomplete and unsatisfactory
disclosures, requested his informant
20 let him know the instant that I'M
known woman appeared In Fetridge's
ONCE again.
he was prepared for an indefinite pc
other dodgers. That was the objection
at my last place. ma'am."
The laudlady smoothed her apron
complacently. NO such difficulty here.
Fir' she said with confidence why.
Nine Raymond has only had one
caller since she's been here. and l
don't know as YOU can call IL a caller.
either, for he merely came home with
her the evening OF the day after the
lady took the room here. Yes. IL was
Thursday week 7 noticed him with
her at the door when answered her
ring. IL was after nine O'Clock. and
mad got worried about her. being
stranger and SO on. SO that I was glad
TO see she had company. Ny brother
she said 20 me. and a nice appearing
gentleman he was. / liked his face.
Well, he came iu and had a quiet talk
With the lady-a talk that you couldn't
hear an inch outside the room. and
couldn't possibly disturb anybody. Nine.
Raymond has been out once or twice.
but no one else has called on her. and
/ am sure that nothing she and the
brother could say. II he should come
10 see her again. could possibly disturb
you. sir"
Mr. Lamm was very far indeed from
sharing this opinion Of the lady who SO
desired his presence as a lodger. But
MS face wore look OF entire. unquan-
lied assent He asked to see the much
commended apartment back, up one
Hight approved its arran gements. and
declared the price very reasonable.
But the best guarantee OF his satisfac-
ton was that he actually decided to
take the room at once. A weeks rent
In advance was deposited In the land
ladys willing hand. Mr.. Lamm took
receipt for the money with latchkey
rolled up herewith, and, saying that
he might come In 10 occupy the room at
any time, bade the woman "good-day."
and went toward his Office with
thoughts in plenty TO occupy his atten-
ton.
He had quite made up his mind that
II was high time 20 come 90 a thorough
understanding with the man to whose
cause he had almost determined to ally
himself-Thornton Stackhouse. 1t was
with genuine pleasure. therefore, that
he found that gentleman awaiting him
IN his inner Office. Something about
the man had excited his sympathiss
from the first, and he never felt more
kindly disposed toward him than on
the present occasion. He looked into
his haggard face anxiously, and after
. that look he did not need 70 hear the
! man speak TO know that he had come to
make some important disclosure.
TO BE CONTINUED.
Offered a Reward
Mrs Grumpps-Did you advertise for