Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-17
Copyright. by The Cassell Publishing Coy

words that man Thomas can string to-
gether about nothing, and yet leave
the impression on our minds that we
have really been reading something
important! Evidently he didn't think
his clue ripe enough to give it to the
public"
He turned the paper over carelessly.
Suddenly he started and clutched the
newspaper with nervous grasp.
Hullo! Hullo!" he exclaimed aloud.
what the deuce does this mean?"
For there. staring him in the face,
was this:
Wanted.-Information concerning the
whereabouts of Marie Moissot, formerly of
New Orleans, recently of New York; creole
extraction; q years of age. Large reward
will be paid for reliable information if sent
Immediately. Address D. 1875, Globe office"
Well, this is coincidence" Mr..
Lamm reflected. .The same day that
my advertisement to the same effect
appears in New York, the advertise
ment of some other party appears in
Boston. Now, who is it,"
A prolonged reflection, leaning back
in his chair under the stimulation of
fresh cigar, was unproductive of a
satisfactory answer to the detectives
query. But the reverie ended in active
measures.
He suddenly arose, closed his desk,
locked the Office and went out. Bend
ing his steps in the direction of the
Globe Office, he was soon conversing
with one of the clerks, but the result
was not propitious.
"Oh. we don't pretend to know who
puts in any Of these wants." the clerk
said. "There are too many of them
We know these advertisers only by the
tickets. When man puts in want,
we give him a ticket, dated and num-
bered with a stamp. That ticket is
good for mail for ton days from the
date of it,"
did you take this tad.' yourself?"
Haven't doubt of it; but l took
no note of the person who presented
it. Couldn't even say whether it was
man or woman"
The detective returned to his Office
and began a search for suitable writ
ing material. He was not long in find
ing what he wanted, for his desk was
amply provided with stationery adapt
ed for all possible contingencies. Sc
lecting modest envelope, notepaper
OF poor quality fine pen, and a bot
tie Of pale ink, he took infinite pains
to produce the following:
sd 1e6 Globe Of7ce.
I'm answer to advertisement Of this a. m.
would say I have information that may
be useful. II you care to see me, will be
at corner of Shawmut avenue and Dwight
street at seven p. m. Look for lady with
red cherries on her bonnet.
Examining with critical eye this
effusion, John Lamm became convinced
that he could not better 1t, sealed it
and fastened to the post Office with 1t.
On his return he found one of his as
sistants in the Office.
"You know where this lady lives in
Shawmut avenue?" he said, presenting
name on bit of paper. well, get
down there before she gets away, and
tell her that must see her at once on
important business"
The man departed, leaving John
Lamm in sole possession of the Office.
Eleven o'clock brought him news OF
the failure of North & Stackhouse,
| news which he received with admirable
| imperturbability.
"And how much do they fail for?"
he asked his informant.
ItTx,ocr+h;-o boor T,xyar Is
personal property is likely to go. His
town house and his house at Swamp
scott"
"And in that case, how much Of an
inheritance does he leave his daugh-
ters?"
"Ah, poor things! Nothing!"
So, so,'' said John Lamm to himself
after his informant had departed
That's how the wind blows, does it!
| Well it remains for me to find out who
profits by North's death, and who by
the failure. Certainly it is neither
Marion Stackhouse nor Stella North
The detective was not aware of Paul
North's little transaction in life insur.
ance, and it is not probable that ii
would have made much difference in
his opinion if he had been.
But John Lamm's attention was now
| taken by the arrival of his assistant in
company with keen-eyed woman
| about f1ve-and-thirty, modestly dressed
"Ah. Miss Dallison! Good morning.
said the detective, cordially. Are you
engaged to-day?"
Some things on hand" she said, in
a brisk, business-like way, "but if It's
| important"
Lamm waved his hand toward the
door of his inner office, and the lady
preceded him into the small retiring
room which the detective preserved for
his most important conferences.
"And now, Bill" said Lamm, turning
to his assistant, and speaking in a
low tone, Il want you to go to Swamp.
scott You know where the North
villa is You will easily find 1t without
any obtrusive inquiries, you under.
| -. :.