The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1905-07-28

theory, which might be in some sense
a comfort to her, as doing away with
the one point, hitherto regarded as in
controvertible, of her husbands pre-
senting In person the altered notes to
Low and to the other bank and re-
ceiving the money in exchange.
Constance listened to his account
of Ashley, of Bruce's suspicious, and
Tony's own ideas based on Bruce's
account of Ashley's hypnotizing the
jailer.
Nov. If he could do that, Mrs. Ham
lton, why might he not have infiu
enced Low to the extent of making
him believe he was the cashier of the
Grovedale bank?"
ut is bold idea, Tony. I wish ]
could credit it fully. And yet, as you
say, it is no stranger than what he
did to the jailer, as alleged by Mr..
Bruce. Bruce then thinks Ashley and
Vane are one and the same"
Bruce is a stupid old curmudgeon!
Couldn't track mouse back to his
hole"
Tony" said Mrs. Hamilton. sudden
ly, what do you think of the letter
thrust under Mr.. Hastings door and
purporting to have been written by
Mr.. Hamilton? do not think he wrote
1t at ALL"
"He certainly did not, if what we
have conjectured is true"
I'll, 7 will ta11
would never send me a message
through another person no more than
he would have come to the bank with
out coming home"
Mrs. Hamilton's confident assertion
carried great weight with her listener
until a doubt hurled from the regions
of nowhere struck against 1t. How"
asked the doubt, "if he went away In
the company of another woman?"
"You seem to doubt it, Tony?"
NO" he replied, for his mind had
already rallied from the shock on
thinking that he had taken his prem.
Uses on the belief of his complete inno'
cence of every charge, II think your
reasoning is good. Mr.. Hamilton is,
believe, instead of being victimizer,
the victim himself, of circumstances,
If not conspiracy"
Tony arose to go soon afterwards,
and Mrs. Hamilton said, gravely:
81 shall think over what you have
said and it may be l shall want your
assistance in following out some line
of investigation. May count on your
aid?"
Eyes, indeed, shall be most happy
to aid you if can" and Tony's boyish
face lighted up with pleasure.
THANK you. You are the only per-
son in Grovedale, besides myself, who
believes my husband to be innocent.
Even Uncle Carter does not" said
Mrs. Hamilton, with emotion, as she
shook hands with the young man.
Constance thought the matter over
deeply for twenty-four hours, and then
the following letter reached young
Osborn:
Friend Tony-I have decided to ask
of you the favor l limited at yester-
day. If you can get free from your
duties at the bank for few days |
should like to have you go to the po-
lice headquarters in Boston, gain
personal interview with the chief, and
have him send a suitable detective to
follow out the new, clue furnished by
the cap found on the river bank.
desire a man of great astuteness, for
such a man is needed, tell the chief,
and | am willing to pay well for the
service, and, of course, | shall REIN
burse you for the time and money
spent in my behalf.
Very truly yours,
Constance Hamilton"
Tony got his release without much
difficulty and soon reached the police
headquarters. Following Mrs. Iiamil-
toms directions he asked for a detec-,
i've of the keenest order, and such a
one was furnished him in the person
Of a small, alert individual by the
name of Swan. To him Tony recount
ed from beginning to end the bank
mystery with its varied complications
and the adverse circumstances sur
it at the present time. 4
Ito be continued)