Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-11-01

was reasonable, and yet IL nad us faults.
 ''Now, let's see where this leads us, he continued. Let us assume that Holladay has been providing for this illegitimate daughter for years. At last, for some reason, he is induced to withdraw this support, or, perhaps, the girl thinks her allowance insufficient. At any rate, after, let us suppose, in- effectual appeals by letter, she does the desperate thing of calling at bis office to protest in person. She finds him inexorable-we know his reputa- ton for obstinacy when he had once made up his mind. She reproaches him-she is already desperate, remem- ber-and he answers with that stinglng sarcasm for which he was noted. In an ecstasy of anger she snatches up the knife and stabs him; then, in an agony of remorse, endeavors to check the blood. She sees at last that 1t is useless, that she cannot save him, and leaves the office. All this is plausible, | isn't itf
 Every plausible" I assented, look | ing at him In some astonfshment. You forget one thing, however. Rogers tes- tfffed that he was intimately acquaint- ed with the affairs of his employer and that he would inevitably have known of any intrigue .such as you suggest
 | My companion paused for a mo- ment's thought.
 'I don't believe that Rogers would so inevitably have known of it." he said at last But, admit that-then there is another theory. Holladay has not been supporting his illegitimate child, who learns of her percentage and goes to him to demand her rights. That fits the case doesn't it?''
 "Yes," I admitted. Tt also is plausi- ble."
 Tt is more than plausible" he said quietly. Whatever the details may be, the body of the theory itself is un- impeachable-it the only one which fits the facts. I believe it, capable of proof. Don't you see how the note helps to prove it?'
 "The note?" I started at the word, and my susp1- cions sprang into life again. l looked at him quickly. but his eyes wers on the cloth and he was rolling up fnnu- merable little pellets of bread. "That note" he added, proved two things. One was that the writer was deeply interested in Miss Holidays welfare; the other was that be or she knew Rogers. the clerk, intimately more than intimately: almost as well as physician knows an old patient"
 q admit the first" I said. You'll have to explain the second" "The second is self evident. How did the writer of the note know of Rog- CTS infirmity?"
 His inflrmity?"
 "CeTainly-his color blindness. I con- fess I'm puzzled. How could any one else know it when Rogers himself didn't know it? That's what I should like to have explained. Perhaps there's only one man or woman in the world who could know. Well, that's the; one who wrote the note. Now, who is it?"
 But" began quickly, then stopped. Should I set him right, or was this a trap he had prepared for me?
 His eyes were not on the cloth now, but on me. There was light in them I did not cutie understand. felt that must be sure of my ground before went forward.
 Tt should be very easy to trace the writer of the note,' said.
 ''The police have not found it so"
 "No?"
 ''No. It was given to the doorkeeper by boy-just an ordinary boy of from twelve to fourteen years. The man didn't notice him especially. He said there was no answer and went away. How are the police to find that boy? Suppose they do find him. Probably all he could tell them would be that a man stopped him at the corner and gave him a quarter to take the note to the coroner's office.7
 He might give a description of the man." l ventured.
 What would boys description be worth? It would be at the best vague and indefinite. Besides, they've not even found the boy. Now. to return to the note"
 We had come to the coffee and cigars, and felt it time to protest.
 Before we return to the note. Mr. Godfrey" I said. I'd like to ask you two direct questions. What interest have you in the matter?"
 ''The interest of every investigator of crime" he answered. smiling.
 You belong to the detective force. then?"
 q have belonged to it. At present I'm fin otber employ"
 And what was your object in bring ing me here this eveningE-
 "One portion of my object has been accomplished. The other was to ask you to write out for me a copy of the note"
 But who was it pursued us up Broadway"
 "Oh. have rivalsr' he chuckled. q fatteF myself that was rather neatly done Will you give me a copy of the note. Mr. LesierT~
 'NO." I answered squareIy. You'll have to go 10 the police for that. I'm out of the case"
 He bowed across the table 10 me with little laugh. As looked at him his imperturbahle good humor touched