Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-11-02


 tered.
 An electric shock seemed to run around the room.
 That's it!' cried Rankin. That's what he wanted. Now, it isn't. his theory any more. It's yours. Oh, can see his headlines! Won't you tell us what it was"
 looked up at him.
 Now, frankly, Mir. Rankin" asked, eff you were in my place would you tell?'
 He hesitated for a moment and then held out his hand.
 No" he said as I took it. q shouldn't. Shake hands, sir; you're all right. Come on, boys; we might as well be going"
 They filed out after him, and heard them go singing up the street. Then I sank back into my chair and thought again of Godfrey's theory. It seemed to fit the case precisely, point by point -even-and I started at the thought to Miss Holladay's reticence as to her whereabouts the afternoon before. The whole mystery lay plain before me. In some way she had discovered the ex- istence of her half sister, had secured her address; she had gone to visit her and had found her away from home It was probable, even, that the half sister had written her. asking her to come-though. in that case, why had she not remained at home to receive her? At any rate, Miss Holladay had awaited her return, had noticed her agitation: had, perhaps, even seen cer- tain marks of blood upon her. The news of her fathers death had pointed all too clearly to what that agitation and those blood spots meant. She had remained silent that she might not be- smirch her fathers name. and also, perhaps. that she might protec< the other woman. felt that I held in my hand the key to the whole problem.
 Point by point-but what/a snarl 1t was! That there would be vigorous search for the other woman I could not doubt. but she had a long start and should easily escape. Yet perhaps she had not started. She must have re- mained in town. else how could that note have been sent tn us? She had re- mained. then-but why? That she should feel any affection for Frances Holladay seemed absurd, and yet how else explain the note?
 I felt that I was getting tangled up in tie snarl again. There seemed no limit to it's intricaCies; so. in very de. spair. put the matter from me as completely as I could and went to bed.
 
 The mornings Record attested the truth of Rankin's pIephecy. had grown famous in a night. for Godfrey had in a measure made me responsible for his theory. describing me with a wealth of adjectives which blush to remember and which I have even yet not quite forgiven him. I smiled as I read the first lines:
 A Record representative had the pleas ure yesterday evening of dining with Mfr. Warwick Lester. the brilliant young st- torney who achieved such a remarkable victory before Coroner Goldberg yester- day afternoon in the hearing of the Hol- laday case. and. of course. took occasion to discuss with him the latest develop ments of this extraordinary crime Mir. Lester agreed with the Record in Q the aUs Fa -FH- hat hr facts of the case and completely and sat- isfactorily explains all it's ramifcations.
 The theory was then developed at great length. and the article concluded with the statement that the Record was assisting the police in a strenuous endeavor to find the guilty woman.
 Now that the police knew in which quarter to spread their net. had little doubt that she would soon be found. since she had tempted Providence hy remaining in town.
 Mr. Graham and Mir. Royce were looking through the Record article when I reached the office. and I e1- plained to them how the alleged inter view had been secured. They laughed together in appreciation of GOdfrey's audaciOus enterprise
 'It seems a pretty strong theory. said our senior. I'm inclined to be- Eeve it myself
 I pointed out how it explained Miss Holladay's reticence-her refusal to as sist us in proving an slibi Mr Royee nodded
 Precisely. As Godfrey said. the the 0-y touches every point Of tae case According to the old police axi0u. that proves it's the right o1e-